LATEST: Gunfire Report At San Diego Balboa Hospital Possibly Unfounded

An apparently unfounded report of shots fired this morning at Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park prompted a lockdown of the facility and nearby schools as law enforcement officers flooded the area and police dogs searched the hospital complex.

Around 8 a.m., a witness reported hearing three shots come from the basement of NMCSD Building 26, which houses a gym and barracks, according to Navy Region Southwest.

Military police and service dogs conducted an initial search, then turned to a more thorough floor-by-floor sweep, according to Navy officials. SWAT teams cleared buildings, and no evidence of a shooting was found,
authorities said.

“We did an initial clearing of (Building 26) and found nothing that ... would indicate any kind of dangerous situation,’’ Capt. Curt Jones, commanding officer of Naval Base San Diego, told reporters during a late-morning briefing. “But we are going back through, and now we’re actually extracting people out of the building and ensuring that there is no threat.’’

Military police also did sweeps of other parts of the medical center complex as a precaution.

“In an incident like this, it’s not uncommon to get other pieces of information which suggest potentially a threat in a different area,’’ Jones said. “We have gone and pursued every other piece of information to ensure that there is no threat or danger at any other location.’’

Officials at the facility, commonly known as Balboa Hospital, initially urged those there to “run, hide or fight,’’ as law enforcement officers swarmed the compound. Others, including non-emergency response personnel, were
asked to stay away.

Authorities at Naval Base San Diego said via Facebook those in the vicinity should shelter in place.

“If in immediate danger, hide or seek shelter in secure space,’’ the message stated. “Barricade the door and dial 911. Silence phones and other devices. Stay away from doors and windows. Remain calm and quiet.’’

Shortly after 9 a.m., Navy officials announced that the entire complex had been secured, including its childcare facilities, and no one was being allowed access. All children were said to be accounted for and safe. Nearby Roosevelt Middle, and Garfield and San Diego High schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to the San Diego Unified School District. The lockdown was later lifted, as was a subsequent order for students
to shelter in place.

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Previous timeline coverage from Patch:

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 9:45 a.m.

A report of shots fired this morning at Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park prompted a lockdown of the facility and nearby schools as law enforcement officers flooded the area and worked with police dogs to clear buildings.

Around 8 a.m., a witness reported hearing three shots come from the basement of building 2, which houses a gym and barracks, according to Navy Region Southwest. Military police and working dogs were summoned to search the
building.

In a Facebook posting, officials at the medical center, commonly known as Balboa Hospital, urged those already at the facility to “run, hide or fight,’’ as law enforcement officers swarmed the compound on Bob Wilson Drive.
Others, including non-emergency response personnel, were asked to stay away, and the gates to the facility were closed.

Shortly after 9 a.m., Navy officials announced that the entire complex had been secured, including its childcare facilities, and no one was being allowed access. All children were said to be accounted for and safe.

Nearby Roosevelt Middle, and Garfield and San Diego High schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to the San Diego Unified School District.

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Previous Patch coverage:

UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 9:30 a.m.

A report of shots fired this morning at Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park prompted a lockdown of nearby schools, a warning to potential visitors to avoid the area and an order for those already
at the complex to shelter in place.

The report of an active shooter in building 26, which houses the Security Pass and Decal office, was made around 8:15 a.m., according to Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Officials at the medical center, commonly known as Balboa Hospital, urged those already at the facility to “run, hide or fight.’’ Others, including non-emergency response personnel, were asked to stay away from the
compound on Bob Wilson Drive.

Nearby Roosevelt Middle, Garfield Elementary and San Diego High schools were placed on lockdown.

Shortly after 9 a.m., Navy officials announced that the entire complex had been secured, including its childcare facilities, and no one was being allowed access. All children were said to be accounted for and safe.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan, 26 9:20 a.m.

The Naval Base San Diego command reported on its Facebook page shortly before 9 a.m. that the childcare facilities at NMC are “currently secured. All children are accounted for and safe. The entire complex is secured, there is no access to the facilities at this time.”

Reports of three shots possibly fired were reported this morning from Building 26 at the Naval Medical Center San Diego near Balboa Park, according to news coverage.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 9 a.m.

An active shooter was reported at Naval Medical Center San Diego today, prompting military authorities to urge those at the compound to shelter in place, and advise potential visitors to avoid the area.

The report of an active shooter in building 26, which houses the Security Pass and Decal office, was made around 8:15 a.m., according to Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Officials at the medical center, commonly known as Balboa Hospital, urged those already at the facility to ``run, hide or fight.’’ Others, including non-emergency response personnel, were asked to stay away from the
compound on Bob Wilson Drive.

According to news reports, schools in the area, including San Diego High, Garfield High and Roosevelt Middle, are on lockdown. Also on lockdown according to military officials at Naval Base Point Loma, is the facility on Sylvester Road.

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Tuesday, Jan. 26, 8:30 a.m.

An “active shooter” is reportedly at the Naval Medical Center San Diego near Balboa Park this morning.

The following details are from an 8 a.m. post on the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) Facebook page:

“An active shooter has just been reported in building #26 at Naval Medical Center San Diego.

“All occupants are advised to run, hide or fight. All non-emergency response personnel are asked to stay away from the compound, located at 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134.”

This is a developing story. Please check back as Patch will update promptly when more information is available.

--City News Service contributed to these reports/ Map courtesy Google Maps/Image via Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) on Facebook.