Suspect arrested after gunshots reported at Kaiser Permanente in Downey

A suspect is in custody after police responded to reports of an active shooter at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Downey, authorities said Tuesday.

Downey police received a call about 11:34 a.m. reporting a disturbance at the medical center at 9333 Imperial Highway. As officers were en route, the report was updated to shots fired, according to police Chief Carl Charles.

Police learned that Kaiser security officers had approached a man causing the disturbance and the man threw a chair through a window and produced a handgun, Charles said.

1/3

A man in a wheelchair and a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy wait outside Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center after reports of someone with a weapon at the facility.

  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

2/3

People are evacuated from Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center as Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies stand guard after reports of someone with a weapon at the facility.

  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

3/3

Hospital staff wait outside after they were evacuated from Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, following reports of someone with a weapon at the facility.

  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

“That’s when it was believed that six to seven shots were heard,” Charles said. “We have not been able to confirm that at this time.”

When officers arrived, they called the man out of the building and he “gave himself up without incident,” Charles said.

No one was injured and a handgun was found at the scene, the chief said.

The suspect, who appeared to be in his early 30s, was not identified.

Downey police and Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies cleared four buildings as they searched the complex to ensure there were no other suspects, Charles said.

In April, Downey police conducted active shooter training at the hospital.

“Kaiser was actually the one that initiated the active shooter training in April,” Charles said. “They’re aware of what’s happening in this world and they took steps to at least be trained and prepared for it.”

It is unclear whether the suspect was a Kaiser member or a visitor, said Jim Branchick, senior vice president and area manager of the medical center.

“I’m very happy that we did the drill,” Branchick said. “It showed that it paid off today.”

During the incident, images from TV news helicopters showed dozens of people who were cleared from the medical center being marched out of the buildings single-file with their hands raised.

Employees at nearby businesses were also told to shelter in place. About 50 employees remained inside the California Truck Equipment Co. building in the 12300 block of Bellflower Boulevard as they waited for police to clear the complex, an employee confirmed.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @Hannahnfry

UPDATES:

2:35 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details about the incident.

1:05 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details about the incident.

This article was originally published at 12:15 p.m.