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

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.