After spending all day dealing with bomb threats at several Fullerton area high schools the Fullerton Police ended the day with yet another bomb threat, this time at a hospital.
On November 13, 2025, at approximately 5:07 PM, the Fullerton Police Communications Center received a call from Providence St. Jude Medical Center reporting a suspicious phone call claiming there was a bomb inside the Emergency Room.
Officers immediately responded and began investigating the incident, which included a partial evacuation of the Emergency Room as a precaution.
The Fullerton Police Department deployed multiple resources to the hospital, including outside agencies and the use of explosives-detection canines, to conduct a thorough search of the facility. Officers worked closely with hospital administrators to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
No explosive devices were located in the hospital.
Update 6:05 PM – Patients have been allowed to return to the emergency room. The investigation remains ongoing.
This incident remains under active investigation as detectives work to identify the source of the threatening call.
Here are the potential penalties the suspect could face under California law for making bomb threats to schools and hospitals:
- Criminal Threats (Penal Code §422)
- Applies to threats of death or great bodily injury, including bomb threats.
- Classified as a “wobbler” (can be charged as misdemeanor or felony).
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or up to $1,000 fine.
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison and/or up to $10,000 fine.
- New Law (SB 19, signed October 2025)
- Specifically criminalizes threats against schools, hospitals, workplaces, and houses of worship—even if no specific person is named.
- Ensures prosecution for threats intended to create fear of violence at these sensitive locations.
- Penalties align with Penal Code §422 but may include enhanced sentencing for targeting these facilities.
- Additional Statutes
- Penal Code §653m: Covers repeated threats via phone or electronic communication; can add extra misdemeanor charges.
- Penal Code §11418.5: Addresses threats involving weapons of mass destruction; penalties can be severe if applicable.
- Aggravating Factors
- Prior violent felony convictions can trigger California’s Three Strikes Law, leading to much harsher sentences.
- Use of a dangerous weapon during the threat adds an extra year to a felony sentence.
Here are the federal penalties for making bomb threats to schools, hospitals, or similar facilities:
- Federal Bomb Threat Statute (18 U.S.C. § 844(e))
- Prohibits making threats to damage or destroy property by fire or explosive via phone, mail, or other communication.
- Penalty: Up to 10 years in federal prison, plus fines.
- Hoax Threats and Terrorism-Related Charges
- If the threat is considered a hoax involving explosives or terrorism, federal authorities (FBI, DHS, ATF) may pursue charges under terrorism statutes.
- Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison for hoax threats; more if tied to terrorism or if actual devices are involved.
- Additional Consequences
- Federal charges often include financial restitution for the cost of emergency response, which can reach millions of dollars.
- If a fake or real explosive device is used, penalties can escalate to multiple felony counts, including attempted murder.
- Juveniles and Schools
- Even minors can face federal prosecution and may be tried as adults for serious bomb threat cases.