Rice Lake Hospital Lockdown Triggered by False Active Shooter Threat

RICE LAKE, WI — Police say a suspected swatting call led to a lockdown at Marshfield Medical Center after a caller falsely threatened a shooting, according to the Rice Lake Police Department.

PRESS RELEASE

On Thursday, July 2, 2026 at approximately 2:10 pm, Barron County Communication Center received a 911 call from a staff member of the Marshfield Medical Center (MMC) Emergency Department stating they received a phone call indicating that two males were enroute to shoot up the hospital. The caller advised they would be there in 20 minutes, but no further information was provided.

Rice Lake Officers responded to the scene along with Barron County Sheriff's Deputies and the Wisconsin State Patrol and the entire medical facility building was secured per protocol. Any willing patients were allowed to leave the facility.

Upon interviewing the MMC staff member, it was determined that the male caller disguised his voice, provided the aforementioned threat, but did not disclose any further information. The male caller became upset with the MMC staff member and ended the conversation by hanging up. No subsequent calls or threats were received.

During the lock-down, law enforcement was able to determine similar threats at other locations within the state on this date. Through the initial investigation it was determined that this incident is what is commonly referred to as a "swatting call" which resulted in an emergency response to a false threat. At approximately 4:18 pm, the lock-down was released and law enforcement cleared from the scene. There was no one injured during this call for service.

The Rice Lake Police Department will continue to investigate this false threat while working with their law enforcement partners. The department takes these calls for service very seriously and will hold those accountable through the proper criminal court process upon the completion of the investigation.

The Rice Lake Police Department would like to thank the cooperation of the MMC staff and leadership team and further the Barron County Sheriff's Department and Wisconsin State Patrol for their assistance with this matter.

—Per the Rice Lake Police Department