By Sara Beth Williams–
A false police report indicating there was a man with a gun led to a heavy police presence, lock downs, and evacuations near the Mercy San Juan Medical Center on Friday afternoon, police say.
Citrus Heights Police officers responded to assist the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office after the Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding an individual with a gun at Mercy Medical Group, located at 6555 Coyle Ave., in Carmichael.
The caller stated that a man inside the medical facility told her that there was an individual with a gun. The caller never saw an armed suspect. The medical facility, which is located on the north side of the street just east of the main hospital, placed its building on lock down out of an abundance of caution.
The potential active shooter situation drew officers from several other departments, Lt. Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said Friday night, including officers from the Sacramento Police Department, Rancho Cordova Police Department, and California Highway Patrol.
The entire building was cleared and evacuated as deputies investigated the incident. Nearby, Coyle Avenue Elementary School was briefly put on lock down and then shifted into shelter-in-place until law enforcement determined there was no danger to the public.
Through investigative efforts, law enforcement determined the identity of the man who made the initial claim that there was an armed individual and began searching for him.
After searching the area, 25-year-old Christian Blancas was detained by Citrus Heights Police in connection with the incident and subsequently turned over to Sacramento County Sheriff deputies.
No injuries were reported, and no firearm was located, Gandhi said. Blancas was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on felony charges of making a false report of an emergency that could potentially result in great bodily injury or death.
Blanca’s bail has been set at $50,000, records show, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 2 at 1:30 p.m.
