Federal authorities Saturday were investigating a bomb threat that prompted an evacuation at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, and allegedly came from an extremist online group well-known to law enforcement.
The call was received at about 5:50 a.m. Friday, according to Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
“The Pasadena Police Department received a call from Huntington Hospital Security regarding a bomb threat. The caller identified himself as a member of the `764′ group and claimed that multiple explosive devices had been placed throughout the hospital. He further stated that two additional suspects were en route to the hospital in a stolen vehicle and intended to shoot people using automatic rifles,” police said.
“Officers responded to the location and assisted hospital security in securing all entrances to the hospital. A strong law enforcement presence was quickly established throughout the hospital perimeter to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. A command post was established in the parking lot of a nearby business, and a callout of multiple K9 units was initiated. The Pasadena Fire Department also responded and staged at the command post to provide assistance as needed,” the statement continued.
“Pasadena Police K9 units, along with Glendale Police K9 units, canvassed and cleared all publicly accessible areas of the hospital. K9 sweeps did not reveal any explosive devices. Upon notification of the bomb threat, all incoming emergency traffic was diverted to surrounding hospitals as a precaution. Once the location was rendered safe, hospital operations resumed as normal.
The hospital was declared safe shortly after 9 a.m. Friday.
The FBI has described 764 as “a violent online group made-up of individuals who seek to coerce and manipulate children into engaging in unspeakable acts against themselves, animals, and other children, even suicide.”
Members of the group exist throughout the United States and around the world and operate on social media, gaming apps and online platforms, authorities said. Officials added that the group is also known to engage in “swatting” — placing false emergency calls to trigger armed police raids.