Valley Children's Hospital lockdown lifted after bomb and rifle threat
The gist
Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, California, locked down Oct 16 over a rifle and bomb threat.
No threat was found and the lockdown was lifted; detectives still seek the caller.
How it unfolded
- Oct 16, 2026Valley Children's Hospital was placed on lockdown around 11 a.m. after Madera police received a threatening phone call from a man who said he was going to the hospital with a rifle and a bomb.
- Oct 16, 2026Madera County Sheriff's deputies responded to the hospital and a California Highway Patrol helicopter circled the area as authorities searched for any danger.
- Oct 16, 2026The lockdown at Valley Children's Hospital and across campus was lifted after no threat was found; only the Main and Emergency Department entrances were open at that time.