Active shooter scare near Newman Regional Health ends as false alarm; no threat identified
Emporia, Kan. – An active shooter alarm near Newman Regional Health prompted a response from the Emporia Police Department Thursday afternoon. The alarm was triggered around 4:30 p.m. after reports of gunfire near the hospital, and social media alerts from the university indicated an active shooter situation in the area.
Emporia State University issued an alert advising anyone near the hospital to Run, Hide, Fight and to stay away if off campus, as authorities coordinated with city police to assess the scene.
By about 5:32 p.m., police said the incident appeared to be an alarm only and that no active threat had been identified. Officers conducted a sweep of the hospital, and no gunshots or shooter were found; there were no reported injuries.
Police Chief Ed Owens noted that officers on scene did not hear any gunfire and were actively clearing the building as a precaution, with the investigation continuing to determine the cause of the alarm.
The situation underscored the importance of rapid, coordinated communication between public safety officials and university partners. Residents in Emporia are encouraged to rely on official updates from law enforcement for any developments.
What to know:
– An alert was issued around 4:30 p.m. and updated later that it was likely a false alarm.
– No active threat identified; building cleared; no injuries reported.
– Continue to monitor official channels for any new information and guidance.