No charges planned after Portneuf Medical Center lockdown
UPDATE: 9:20 a.m. 3-5
Business is back to normal at Portneuf Medical Center Monday after an incident in the hospital parking lot forced a security lockdown shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday.
Pocatello Police said a suicidal, 28-year-old man was inside a van in the southwest parking lot. He was reported to be armed with a handgun and threatening to shoot himself.
With help from the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police, Pocatello Police secured the area and negotiated a peaceful conclusion.
The suspect was taken into custody at 9:52 p.m. on a mental protective custody order.
Police said the man did not fire his weapon during the incident and there were no injuries to anyone in the immediate area.
No criminal charges are pending as investigation continues.
UPDATE 10:10 P.M. 3/4/18: A spokesman for Portneuf Medical Center has told Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3 the suspect has been taken into custody by police.
UPDATE 9:39 P.M. 3/4/18: Pocatello Police received a call at 7:30 P.M. Sunday night to Portneuf Medical Center where a man is threatening to harm himself with a firearm in the parking lot.
It is believed he is alone in the vehicle.
Pocatello Police has set up a perimeter around the suspect with help from Chubbuck Police, deputies from the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, and troopers from Idaho State Police.
The public is asked to avoid the area.
UPDATE 9:21 P.M. 3/4/18: A spokesman for Portneuf Medical Center says they will still accept emergency patients during the lockdown, unless they feel threatened.
ORIGINAL STORY: Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello is currently on lockdown. The lockdown is a precaution.
A spokesman for PMC says there is someone inside their car in the main parking lot of the hospital. The person is armed and is threatening to hurt themself. No shots have been fired.
Police officers are currently on scene handling the situation right now.
The hospital received the call about 8 P.M. Sunday night.
Stay with Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3 for the latest updates.
