ENID HOSPITAL SEARCHED AFTER TWO REPORTS OF MAN WITH A GUN
ENID, OKLA. (TUC) — A large police presence surrounded an Enid hospital Monday night after officers responded to two separate reports of a man who was believed to have a gun.
According to the Enid Police Department, officers were first called to INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital around 10:00 p.m. after a man was reportedly harassing the hospital staff. Authorities say he was then asked to leave, and as he was leaving, he allegedly told a security guard that he had a gun. Police then searched the hospital but did not locate the man or find a gun.
About an hour later, officers were called back to the same hospital after a second 911 call reported that a man with a gun was on the third floor. At this time, police have not said whether that call involved the same man from the earlier incident.
And with the safety of patients, visitors, and hospital staff at stake, officers immediately secured the building and searched the hospital. They also reviewed surveillance footage but said they were unable to locate anyone matching the reported description or anyone seen carrying a weapon.
As officers continued investigating, they contacted the person who made the second 911 call. Police learned that the caller was the husband of a hospital employee. Investigators say the employee had been told by a supervisor that there was reportedly an armed man inside the hospital. After she shared that information with her husband, he called 911 out of concern for her safety.
You really can't blame the husband for making that call. If most of us believed someone we loved could be in danger, we'd probably do the exact same thing.
Thankfully, this is one of those situations where the outcome is the best-case scenario. No weapon was found, and no one was hurt. We'd much rather see a strong police response to a report that turns out to be unfounded than have officers respond to an actual tragedy.
At the end of the day, when it comes to protecting patients, hospital staff, and the community, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
