Bomb threat made at Florida hospital, police give ‘all clear’ after search

This story was updated to add new information.

HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce was partially evacuated the afternoon of Sept. 12 after a bomb threat, a hospital spokesperson told TCPalm. No suspicious items or devices were found after the Fort Pierce Police Department searched the hospital, police said.

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Visitors to the hospital, 1700 23rd St., were evacuated out of precaution, hospital spokesperson Alex Hagan said. Patient care was never impacted as a result of the evacuations, he said, and “business continued as usual.”

Fort Pierce police officers investigated the hospital after obtaining a threatening email at about 1 p.m., police said.

“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.”

These areas included the cafeteria and another publicly accessed area, he said. Police thoroughly combed through those areas using bomb-sniffing dogs, 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.

“There are some indications that it could be coming from the same location,” Santiago said.

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“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,” he said. “Either way, this is serious business.”

The Treasure Coast has been threatened by multiple bomb scares that forced evacuations.

Fort Pierce Central High School partially was evacuated Sept. 4 following a reported bomb threat, but no devices were found after St. Lucie County Sheriff’s officials searched the school.

Martin County High School received a bomb threat made over email Sept. 10, which resulted in evacuations of students and teachers. But, again, no devices were found after Martin County Sheriff’s officials swept the school.

Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Bomb threat made at Florida hospital, police give ‘all clear’ after search

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Reporting by Jack Randall, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers

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This story was originally published September 12, 2026 at 2:33 PM.