Lockdown lifted at UT Health Olympic Plaza, Police search for armed man

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that the lockdown has since been lifted, the Tyler Police Department confirmed. During a press conference at around noon on Tuesday, Tyler Police Department PIO Andy Erbaugh said witnesses saw an argument between two people and one of them displayed a gun. At that point, the active shooter alarm was activated. Erbaugh said law enforcement responded within seconds. The original call came from the Olympic Plaza on Beckham Avenue. Other reports stated the person was heading to the main hospital using the skyview over the chapel area on the second floor; however, officials did not locate the person. Other law enforcement then arrived at the scene to help clear the hospital floor by floor. Authorities are currently reviewing footage.

“We’re kind of on hold because we also had a video that we’re reviewing at this time to see where the suspect possibly went, if he’s still here, or if he just left,” Erbaugh said.

At this time, officials have not detained anyone. A perimeter has been set at the main hospital and at the plaza.

“Command post is here between police, fire and EMS at the plaza,” Erbaugh said. “Once we get a little more information from the video, because we don’t want to be running around and maybe go someplace where the suspect is not.”

No shots were fired and no injuries have been reported. The hospital is still functioning, with patients still arriving for their appointments.

“This seems like a contained incident, like it was between two people and a gun was displayed,” Erbaugh said. “But then it went up into the floor where the patients and nurses are, and that’s when the alarm went off.”