Authorities rushed to evacuate a hospital in Southern California on Wednesday night after receiving reports of a possible shooter, which law enforcement later determined as an apparent swatting call.

“Loma Linda Hospital has been cleared,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement on X. “There are no reported injuries, and the incident appears to be a swatting call.”

Swatting is a form of harassment that involves falsely reporting in the name of someone else that an act of violence is happening or about to happen to deliberately cause a large law enforcement or emergency personnel response.

Shortly after 8 p.m. PST, the sheriff’s department reported that “no shots have been heard” and advised the public to “avoid the area due to heavy law enforcement presence.” Television footage and photos shared on social media showed law enforcement vehicles blocking traffic on surrounding streets.

KABC-TV reported that a test message alert was sent to students on campus and in the medical buildings nearby, stating: “This is not a drill: Initiate immediate protective actions. If confronted with a threat, RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.”

The hospital is affiliated with Loma Linda University, a private university in Loma Linda, California.

The Excerpt: Swatting reports are increasing. Why are people making fake calls to police?

Contributing: Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY