HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce was partially evacuated the afternoon of Sept. 12 after a bomb threat, a hospital spokesperson told TCPalm.
Visitors to the hospital, 1700 23rd St., were evacuated out of precaution, hospital spokesperson Alex Hagan said.
Fort Pierce Police Department officers are at the hospital investigating, police said, after obtaining a threatening email.
“We secured the perimeter, started working with the hospital,” Maj. Michael Santiago said. “Evacuated just two areas of the hospital that were listed on the email.”
9/11 Fort Pierce hero honored during 25th anniversary ceremony
1 of 25
A woman places flowers at the sculpture of CeeCee Ross Lyles, a Fort Pierce native, in the Liberty Garden in Fort Pierce on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Lyles was a United Airlines flight attendant who was aboard Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. Lyles and other passengers fought back against the hijackers, preventing the plane from reaching its intended target in Washington, D.C. Before the plane crashed, Lyles made two phone calls to her husband, informing him of the hijacking and their plan to retake the plane. (CRYSTAL VANDER WEIT/TCPALM)
These areas included the cafeteria and another publicly accessed area, he said. Police are thoroughly searching those areas, as well as other areas of the hospital, he said.
The investigation is similar to the bomb threat that occurred Sept. 11 at Indian River State College, he said, which forced three buildings to be evacuated including a library.
Fort Pierce: Florida driver rescued from car crash before wreckage engulfs in flames
“There are some indications that it could be coming from the same location,” Santiago said. “I don’t know if this is related to the 25th anniversary of 9/11. I’m not sure if this is somebody just playing jokes. Either way, this is serious business.”
Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Bomb threat forces partial evacuation at Florida hospital