UPDATE: Houston Police chief says no evidence of active shooter or victims inside Ben Taub hospital
02/21/2017 12:43 pm PST
By Ciara Rouege, KIAH
HOUSTON -- (KIAH) -- Several medical personnel and patients — some still in their beds — are being evacuated from Ben Taub hospital Tuesday afternoon as officers execute a secondary search of the building following reports of an active shooter, the Houston Police Department said.
“No one has been injured. No one has been injured. No one has been found shot. And no shooter has been apprehended,” HPD Chief Art Acevedo said. “The Houston Police Department has searched all six floors behind us and the basement, and we have not found any evidence of an active shooter. We're also looking at all of the security cameras and have not found a suspect.”
Acevedo said individuals have reported seeing an armed white man of an unknown age and with a bald head, but there has been no evidence of such.
“It's an ongoing investigation, we haven't found any victims or any evidence of an active shooter,” Acevedo said.
The chief said the large police presence around and inside the hospital is a part of standard protocol.
The reports of shots being fired came in around 2 p.m. A witness said the alleged shooting happened on the second floor at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic.
Officers patrolling the area where first to the scene, HPD said. Ben Taub officials quickly issued a “Code White,” which signals hospital employees to secure all exits and entry ways, hospital staff and patients.
No injuries have been reported.
Outside the hospital nurses and doctors continue to work with patients who were wheeled outdoors.
FULL STORY: HPD: Reports of shots fired inside Ben Taub hospital - KIAH