Mad River Hospital Went on Lockdown Following a Perceived Threat This Evening; The Lockdown Has Since Been Lifted

Mad River Community Hospital was put on lockdown a little before 6:30 p.m. due to a perceived threat. Arcata Police responded and determined no crime had been committed.

Nonetheless, rumors have spread and several people have reported receiving calls or messages from workers at the two institutions saying that there was an active shooter at Mad River Community Hospital.

Arcata Chief of Police Brian Ahearn responded to questions from Thad Greenson, editor of the North Coast Journal with the following message,

At 4:27 PM today an adult male was in the ER at MRCH and threatened to come back with a gun. Unknown what he was upset about. No gun seen by staff and the male was not located by Officers. At 6:08 PM the male returned to MRCH. MRCH staff chose to lock down based on his earlier threat and called APD. APD arrived on scene, contacted the male at a bus stop near MRCH and determined he was not armed and did not pose a threat. Officers determined a crime had not been committed. The male was released and the lockdown was lifted as well.