Suspect Arrested After Threat Prompts Lockdown at Huntington Hospital

[Updated] A 34-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested Friday evening after allegedly making threatening calls to Huntington Hospital, triggering a brief lockdown that ended without injuries.

Jose Jurado, who had been treated in the emergency room earlier that day, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department around 6:30 p.m. and later transferred to Pasadena Police Department custody, according to Pasadena Lt. Matt Campeau. He was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats.

According to Lisa Dederian, City of Pasadena Public Information Officer, the incident began when the suspect called the ER main phone number multiple times attempting to schedule an appointment with a specialist after having left the hospital earlier in the day. When staff repeatedly informed him he was calling the incorrect number, the suspect allegedly made terrorist threats toward hospital staff.

The threats prompted the hospital to issue a “Code Silver” alert at 5:41 p.m., indicating a potential situation involving a weapon, active shooter, or hostage scenario. Hospital employees were notified via text message that there was no need to shelter in place, though ambulance traffic was rerouted to other hospitals as a precaution.

During the investigation, officers located the suspect in Los Angeles, where LAPD officers detained him without incident before transferring him to Pasadena authorities.

The lockdown began shortly after the alert and was lifted around 6:30 p.m., with normal operations resuming. Employees received an “all-clear” notification shortly before 7:30 p.m.

The incident follows recent “swatting” calls at other Southern California institutions, including Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Claremont McKenna College. Authorities have not confirmed any connection between these events.

No injuries were reported in connection with the lockdown. The investigation is ongoing.