Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Incident: 1 In Police Custody Amid 'Active Shooter' Report

LEBANON, NH — Police in Lebanon say a person believed to be involved in an incident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has been taken into custody. Police did not give any details on the nature of the incident and said more information would be released later. The hospital said it was on lockdown Tuesday afternoon for reports of an active shooter.

"We are assessing the situation now, and will have more information as soon as it becomes available," the hospital statement said.

Lebanon Police and New Hampshire State Police are on scene. In the latest update provided by the hospital, officials said police were still actively sweeping the campus.

The first alert for the possible active shooter was reported on Twitter at just after 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. Not long after, WCAX-TV in White River Junction confirmed that law enforcement officials were sent to the hospital.

A number of witnesses reported that traffic was stopped at Route 120 and employees and personnel were seen moving farther and farther away from the medical center.

This was the scene inside Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center during the "Active Shooter" incident. SWAT teams searching. #wmur pic.twitter.com/LG1cXiJppD
— WMUR TV (@WMUR9) September 12, 2017

"Not a good day to be at Dartmouth! We have been moved to a safe location," one visitor noted on Twitter. Another reported that there were "lots of heavily armed police" outside of the facility.

New Hampshire State Police have not issued information about the incident. Lebanon Police did request that people avoid the area of the hospital. Lebanon Police issued the following statement just before 3 p.m. saying they were investigating a "serious incident" at the hospital.

"The Lebanon Police Department in cooperation with mutual aid agencies is investigating a serious incident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. For emergency medical issues, please call 911. Everyone with a non-emergent medical issue is asked to seek attention at an alternate facility. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available."

Scanner chatter is reporting a possible suspect wearing red or maroon carrying a camo duffle bag. Other media outlets are reporting that the suspect vehicle is a blue or gray Ford with Rhode Island plates.

#DHMC #Lebanon #hanover #uppervalley police ran RI plates 2014 Ford Escape Grey seemingly still looking for it driver DOB 1968 @VNewsUV
— Quantified Dave (@QuantifiedDave) September 12, 2017

At just before 3 p.m., Lebanon Police reported that a suspect involved in the incident had been taken into custody.

Photo by Toby Talbot/Associated Press