By Caroline Brewton and Rob Bradfield,
Lariat staff

A lockdown this morning at Waco’s Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center has been lifted, allowing business to return to normal.

Shortly after 10 a.m. this morning, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco went on lockdown in response to a threatening phone call. The hospital, which is located at 100 Hillcrest Medical Blvd., has been given the all-clear.

Hospital CEO Glenn Robinson said the lockdown was declared as a precautionary measure after the hospital received a threatening phone call. During the lockdown, the hospital’s operations continued, although security guards were posted at hospital entrances to screen potential threats.

“Safety is the first thing that comes to our mind,” Robinson said.

Robinson said members of the Waco Police Department and deputies of the McLennan County sheriff responded, in addition to hospital security. Sgt. Patrick Swanton of the Waco Police Department said the investigation into the threat ongoing, but “there is no immediate hostile action going on inside the hospital.” Robinson reported law enforcement officers have identified the threat and are handling it.

Since the all-clear has been given for the hospital and the lockdown ended, the screening has stopped.

Robinson said this is the first time this particular facility has been threatened in the past year.