Miami-Dade police investigate another threat to 'shoot up' Jackson Memorial Hospital

7 other South Florida medical centers also targeted, officials say

MIAMI – Miami-Dade police are investigating another threat to "shoot up" Jackson Memorial Hospital. Seven other South Florida hospitals received similar threats Monday, authorities said.

The latest threat to Jackson Memorial was emailed to Local 10 News at 9:51 a.m. Monday.

"I AM GOING TO SHOOT UP WEST WING BUILDING JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TODAY AT NOON. BE THERE TO SEE IT BLOODY.!!!!!!!!!!" the email read.

Another email was sent to Local 10 at 12:35 p.m., this time threatening to bomb the hospital, as well as other medical centers: "I STILL HAVE A BOMB AT JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, BUT I ALSO HAVE ONE AT JACKSON NORTH AND SOUTH. I ALSO HAVE ONE AT UM HOSPITAL AND VA HOSPITAL. THIS IS BIG TAKE ME SERIOUS. THE TIMER IS TICKING. I AM PLANTING ONE NOW AT BROWARD GENERAL HOSPITAL AND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND KENDALL HOSPITAL. ALL HOSPITALS WILL HAVE A BOMB AND MY TEAM AND I WILL TAKE OUT ANY AND EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT."

Officers and bomb-sniffing dogs quickly descended on Jackson Health System’s west wing and put everyone inside on lockdown.  

The county’s heavily armed rapid deployment force went in, and patients came out in wheelchairs and with medical papers.

Authorities gave the all clear shortly before 2 p.m. and are now trying to trace down the source of the threats. 

Police focused on the west wing of the hospital, which was threatened with a shooting on Friday. Officers specifically honed in on the west wing's fifth floor, where investigators remained even after the all-clear and questioned those on that floor, one by one.

Because of the police activity at JMH, the nearby Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center tweeted Monday that veterans and visitors should enter through the west parking lot. All patients and visitors must show photo identification. 

"Crazy -- that's the way things are these days. I don't understand," said Alexander Gil, a medical student.

The incident comes days after a similar threat was phoned in to JMH.

Authorities said they detained someone for Friday's call, but it's unclear whether that person is still in custody.

Sources told Local 10 News reporter Andrew Perez that the call came from inside JMH, but authorities have yet to confirm that.


 


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."