Police Respond To Threat To 'Shoot The Place Up' At Newport Hospital

NEWPORT, RI — Police responded after someone called Newport Hospital and threatened to "shoot the place up” Saturday afternoon.

The threatening call came through the hospital switchboard shortly before 4 p.m., the Newport police said in a media release.

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The male caller said he would arrive in about 10 minutes to “shoot the place up” with a rifle, according to the release.

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"Multiple Newport Police officers were immediately dispatched to the hospital," the release said, and the Rhode Island State Police monitored the department's frequency to assist.

"As per their protocol, Newport Hospital went into lockdown," the release said. "Newport Police Officers and RISP Troopers were assigned to the entrances to the hospital."

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The caller did not show up at 4 p.m. as he threatened to, according to the release.

"At the time of this release, there is no credible threat to the hospital, patients, staff or the general public," police said shortly after 6 p.m.

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"The Newport Hospital has begun to scale back on its lockdown," the release said. "As a precaution, there will be a uniformed Newport Police Officer stationed at the hospital."

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