Man arrested for making false active shooter allegations at two different hospitals

Add KERO as a Google Preferred Source

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department has arrested a man for falsely reporting an active shooter at Memorial Hospital on December 4, 2018 and also Mercy Southwest Hospital on August 1, 2018.

BPD said Mario Thompson, 46, of Bakersfield disguised himself as a security guard inside Memorial Hospital. During a search of the facility after the call was made, officers found Thompson wearing a security badge, acting suspiciously and inserting himself into the investigation. Hospital staff told authorities he is not an employee, so authorities detained him, finding a pellet gun, pepper spray and prescription pills in his possession.

Thompson was arrested for reporting a false emergency, felon in possession of pepper spray, addict in possession of pepper spray, possession of a controlled substance, impersonating an officer and possession of a pellet gun.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

WednesdayWed

11/11/2026

Sunny

81° / 54°

0%

ThursdayThu

11/12/2026

Sunny

84° / 57°

0%

FridayFri

11/13/2026

Mostly Cloudy

72° / 54°

24%

SaturdaySat

11/14/2026

Partly Cloudy

65° / 49°

20%

SundaySun

11/15/2026

Partly Cloudy

69° / 52°

4%

MondayMon

11/16/2026

Rain

58° / 48°

61%

TuesdayTue

11/17/2026

AM Showers

58° / 43°

37%

WednesdayWed

11/18/2026

Partly Cloudy

62° / 46°

24%