Newport Hospital lockdown lifted after shooting threat deemed non-credible

NEWPORT, R.I. — Newport Hospital has ended a temporary lockdown after police determined a reported shooting threat against the hospital was not credible.

According to the Newport Police Department, someone called the hospital Friday afternoon threatening to “shoot the place up” with a rifle, prompting an immediate lockdown and a large law enforcement response. Rhode Island State Police also assisted at the scene while officers searched the area and investigated the threat.

Authorities later said investigators found no credible threat against the hospital, staff, patients, or the public. Officials confirmed the lockdown was scaled back later in the evening, though a uniformed officer remained at the hospital as a precaution while the investigation continued.