2 hours ago
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Police outside St Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis on July 21, 2026 (Image: Fox 13 Memphis)
Police have swarmed a children's hospital in Memphis as what appears to be a serious incident unfolds.
Images from the scene show a heavy police presence outside St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the Tennessee city on the evening of Tuesday, July 21.
US news outlets have also reported 'multiple streets have been blocked and taped off' by various law enforcement agencies.
They include Memphis Police Department and Memphis Safe Task Force, Fox13 reports.
The cause of the police presence remains unconfirmed.
This is a breaking news story. Please check below for updates
12 mins ago02:42 Ethan Davies
What happened in Memphis?
Here is a summary of tonight's events in Memphis:
- At 6pm, police were called to St Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis city centre.
- They were responding to a bomb threat.
- Officers from mulitple law enforcement agencies swarmed the campus, blocking entrances and exits a short time later.
- By 7.30pm, some law enforcement officers left the building.
- At around 8pm, Memphis police confirmed an unviable bomb threat had been made, and determined it was a hoax after a thorough search.
- Police said: "Out of an abundance of caution, MPD officers, along with our law enforcement partners, searched the building and surrounding area."
- The scene is now clear.
30 mins ago02:24 Ethan Davies
More from police
Memphis Police Department has issued more information to Memphis News Channel WREG.
A new statement said: "The [bomb] threat was determined to be a hoax. The scene has been cleared."
38 mins ago02:16 Ethan Davies
Police arrived at 6.10pm local time and have left
Police rushed to the scene of the bomb threat at 6.10pm local time, and closed the entrances and exits to the building quickly, according to eyewitnesses.
At roughly 7.30pm, some law enforcement agents left the building.
And reports that they responded to a hoax came in at around 8pm local time.
Fox13 is now reporting the scene has cleared.
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46 mins ago02:08 Ethan Davies
Police confirm nature of incident
Police have now confirmed the nature of the incident. A spokesperson for Memphis Police Department (MPD) says officers were called to a bomb threat - but it has since turned out to be a hoax.
"Out of an abundance of caution, MPD officers, along with our law enforcement partners, searched the building and surrounding area," a statement from MPD, reported by ABC 24 news, said.
No viable explosive device was found at the premises, they added.
52 mins ago02:02 Ethan Davies
Hospital entrances and exits blocked
Reports are also detailing how authorities have blocked off entrances and exits at the hospital.
They stopped people leaving and entering the building.
Some agents left the building at 7:30pm local time, witnesses said.
56 mins ago01:58 Ethan Davies
Cause of police presence remains unconfirmed
More images have emerged from around St Jude's Hospital this evening, showing bystanders and a heavy police presence.
The cause of the police activity remains unconfirmed at this stage.
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