KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A man has been charged with making threats of mass violence against Sweetwater Hospital on Thursday.
Officers responded to the hospital on Thursday after a phone call was made threatening to bomb the facility and subsequently shoot individuals present.
Evacuation ordered after ‘possible explosives’ found near Western Avenue
The suspect was identified as Vernon Knode. Officers and detectives were able to determine his location and he was taken into custody by the Chattanooga Police Department, according to a Sweetwater Police spokesperson.
“We want to reassure our community that the safety of our citizens is our top priority, and threats of this nature are taken extremely seriously,” said Sweetwater Police Sergeant Kelvin Franco . “We would like to extend our gratitude to the Sweetwater Hospital Association, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and Chattanooga Police Department for their assistance in resolving this situation peacefully.”
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