Well-known extremist group revealed as SoCal hospital bomb threat plotters as FBI steps in

Cops and federal authorities are hunting a well-known extremist group behind a terrifying bomb threat at Pasadena hospital.

The threat targeting Huntington Hospital was called in around 5:49 a.m., Pasadena city spokesperson Lisa Derderian told the California Post.

Derderian said the menacing call came from a person who identified themselves as part of an extremist group that’s known to law enforcement. Local police have called in the Federal Bureau of Investigation to aid in the investigation, she said.

The hospital campus was declared safe at about 9 a.m. following an exhaustive search and response by K-9 teams, police officers and firefighters.

---

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

Derderian said Thursday’s caller provided some information that could aid in the investigation of the scary incident.

“They did identify the group that they were with and then gave a detailed account of what they were going to do,” said Derderian of the caller.

“The name is known to law enforcement, and they detailed the bomb threat in addition to some other information,” she added.

Although no one was hurt following Friday’s threat, Derderian said such incidents are “very disruptive,” and siphon resources away from law enforcement and fire response teams.

She said technology has made it easier for perpetrators to sow chaos with threatening calls and several Pasadena schools have been targeted in sinister incidents this year.

“We are being more aggressive in trying to one up the technology, to be able to identify where these calls are coming from and identify the individuals or groups responsible,” said Derderian.

A Huntington Hospital spokesperson said earlier this morning that the hospital was “responding to a threat.”

“Pasadena Police Department immediately responded to our campus and are investigating,” Huntington Public Relations & Media Director Dorey Huston told Pasadena Now.

Huston said the hospital stayed open to staff and patients but closed to outside visitors as the grounds were cleared by police.

“Our hospital is open to staff and patients, with screening protocols in place. We are working closely with our local authorities to ensure safety of our staff, patients, and employees,” Huston said.

Aerial footage of the hospital showed multiple police units on scene, with officers using K-9 units to search for suspicious packages or devices. The hospital reportedly canceled many elective procedures and routine doctor appointments.

A police spokesperson recommended motorists avoid the area.

Huntington Hospital, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, is a not-for-profit hospital that houses 625 beds. It’s home to the only level II trauma center in the San Gabriel Valley, according to LA County.

The hospital was recently named the highest-ranked hospital in the San Gabriel Valley and a top hospital in California.