Nicklaus Children's Hospital Given All Clear After Reports Of Shooter, Explosives
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade police have given the all clear at Nicklaus Children's Hospital after reports of an active shooter Friday afternoon.
The hospital was placed under lockdown after police said they received a call about a possible bomb threat and a shooting just before 3 p.m.
MDPD said they conducted a preliminary search and did not find anything but continued to actively investigate the situation.
A little before seven Friday evening police finally gave an all clear, allowing kids, doctors and nurses to go back into the hospital.
The hospital released a statement, which read:
"In an abundance of caution, we contacted law enforcement after receiving a threat to the main hospital. Law enforcement officials have given the all clear for us to resume full operations. We are grateful for the calm and professional conduct of our employees and for the dedication and rapid response of our local police, who share our commitment to the safety and well-being of children."
Shaniya Woods had just gotten to the hospital when a bomb threat was called in.
"I was nervous and scared," the 12-year-old said. "At first I was in the bed getting an IV in my finger and that's when all I just heard was my doctor say we have to hide quickly because someone is in the area."
CBS4's Tiani Jones spoke with a woman whose daughter is a patient. She left to go and get lunch and came back to police everywhere.
"Just scared in there, they don't know what's going on. They are watching the news and watching all the commotion," Maritza Vila said. "I'm in shock. I'm scared."
Shortly after arriving on the scene, officers began evacuating the hospital as a precaution.
A CBS4 viewer sent video of the evacuation.
Chopper4 was over the hospital as SWAT teams searched one of the parking garages.
Another CBS4 viewer sent an image showing law enforcement inside the hospital.
Two senior law enforcement sources told CBS4's Jim DeFede that people inside the hospital had barricaded themselves in their rooms out of fear for what may be happening.
"I was panicking because we had got locked up in a room and they was telling us to hide," Shaniya said.
Others were calling 911 and asking to be "rescued."
That's when MDPD and other departments sent in their SRT units to get them.
Another source added, "On a day like this, we are not taking any chances."
