McCurtain Memorial Hospital Was Placed On Lockdown Due To Shooting Threat, CEO Says

The McCurtain Memorial Hospital was placed under a lockdown on Monday after receiving a shooting threat against hospital staff, CEO Brian A. Whitfield said.

Whitfield said it all started when the hospital was informed about an inmate at the McCurtain County jail who allegedly needed medical treatment. Whitfield said protesters heard the inmate screaming from the jail that he needed help.

The hospital began receiving calls asking why they were refusing to treat the inmate, Whitfield said. However, Whitfield said the hospital has not received any calls about an inmate needing treatment.

The Emergency Room received another call around 3 p.m., where the caller said he would shoot the staff for refusing the inmate's treatment, Whitfield said.

After receiving that call, the hospital was placed on a hard lockdown, according to Whitfield.

Whitfield said they have not heard back from the McCurtain County Jail Administrator, the jail nurse, or the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office about the inmate's condition.

Whitfield emphasized that the hospital would not deny medical treatment to anyone.