Overlook Hospital Locked Down For 'Suspicious Person'

SUMMIT, NJ - Overlook Hospital was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon while police investigated a 'suspicious person' report.

According to authorities, shortly after 2 p.m. the Summit Police Department responded to Overlook Medical Center on a report of a suspicious individual, possibly with a handgun. Overlook Medical Center was placed on lockdown and access to the hospital was restricted during the active police investigation, and all roads leading to the hospital were temporarily closed by police.

A floor-by-floor, room-by-room search of the entire hospital, MAC buildings and all adjacent parking structures turned up the person of interest and they were cleared, police said

The campus was cleared and reopened at approximately 3:40 p.m., police said

Officials at Overlook sent this statement to Patch:

"Earlier this afternoon there was a report of a suspicious person at Overlook Medical Center. Police were immediately notified and an investigation was launched, including a brief lockdown and a comprehensive sweep of the hospital. No threat was found and the lockdown was lifted. Throughout the event, local law enforcement and our security team were closely monitoring and screening individuals coming to and leaving the hospital. We take every report seriously and the safety of our team members and patients is our top priority. We extend our deepest thanks to all of our team members, especially our security team and patient team members as well as local law enforcement."

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