EvergreenHealth gives the all clear, man armed with umbrella

Nobody was harmed as the man in question identified himself and was armed only with an umbrella.

EvergreenHealth gave the all clear after a lockdown due to reports of a suspicious person with a rifle Wednesday morning. The man identified himself and was only armed with an umbrella.

“We took all the necessary steps to exercise absolute caution to keep our patients, visitors, staff and community safe,” EvergreenHealth tweeted. “We greatly appreciate the support of everyone to help ensure our campus was safe.”

A doctor observed the man enter the hospital with what seemed to be a rifle slung around his shoulder. The doctor notified hospital security who then called 911.

Officers arrived on the scene and worked with hospital security to search for the suspicious man. The man, who turned out to be a hospital employee, saw his own picture on social media after EvergreenHealth released security footage.

The employee then contacted police and officers confirmed that the suspected rifle was simply an ornate umbrella with a sword hilt handle.

“While our officers continually train and are well prepared to respond and intervene in active shooter incidents, we are truly grateful that this was not indeed a rifle,” said Police Chief Cherie Harris in a press release.

EvergreenHealth returned to usual operations later that day.