No bombs were found at Holy Family Hospital—Methuen.
A Lawrence man was arrested early Monday for allegedly making a bomb threat at Holy Family Hospital—Methuen.
James Tirado, 41, of Lawrence was arrested and charged with communicating a bomb scare and possession of a class e substance after claiming to have a bomb vest, according to Methuen Police Chief Joseph E. Solomon.
The incident began at 1:08 a.m., when Methuen Police and Fire were dispatched to the emergency room lobby after Tirado was said to have approached a hospital employee claiming to have a bomb. Police found Tirado in the parking lot with two backpacks and a small suitcase outside the emergency room entrance. As a result of the bags’ placement and Tirado’s statement, the Methuen Police Explosives Detection K-9 and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Unit determined there were no explosives.
“I am proud of the swift and professional work by our officers to bring this situation to a peaceful end,” Solomon said. “We take these threats very seriously, and want to reassure everyone that the hospital is safe and that there is no threat to the community.”
The emergency room was secured and patients temporarily sent to other hospital entrances.
“This was a great example of collaboration between law enforcement agencies,” said Mayor Stephen N. Zanni. “I commend everyone involved for their determined efforts to keep everyone safe.”
Upon searching Tirado, officers did find multiple doses of prescription drugs.