Edina, Minnesota — M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina was placed on lockdown for about an hour Tuesday following reports of a person inside a hospital room with a handgun.
Fairview officials said in a statement that the suspect, an adult male, was apprehended and that the hospital is now secure. They also claim to have increased security presence, patrols, and safety escorts throughout the campus.
“We are extremely grateful for the prompt action of our staff and the response of our law enforcement partners. A spokesperson stated, “We are actively gathering all of the facts to complete a full incident investigation with Edina Police.”
In a press conference, Edina Police Chief Todd Milburn stated that the department received the report shortly before 3 p.m. Multiple agencies responded to the incident, and the hospital was placed under lockdown.
According to police, the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived, but they were able to determine that there was a domestic dispute in which one person pulled a handgun. A hospital spokesperson said in a statement that they believed the person was a patient’s family member. Police confirmed there were no shots fired.
According to Milburn, the suspect was eventually arrested in a nearby city.
“When we think about public safety and a hospital setting or a school setting, that’s first and foremost that we get to the scene and secure it and make sure everyone is safe,” Milburn told the crowd.
“It’s unfortunate in this day and age that we see this from time to time, but our officers, our fire department, our public safety staff train for this type of thing, but this is how and why you see the response that you do.”
