MEDINA, Ohio -- His voice is calm for the entire 911 call.
“There is one employee who has been stealing from the company,” the caller begins while requesting an officer respond to the Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital. “She has brought a gun machine.”
Police took the threat seriously -- not knowing the entire thing was a hoax.
Police: She has a gun?
Caller: Yes.
Police: Now?
Caller: Yes.
Police: Where is she?
Caller: She is in the main office, in the main building.
As the conversation continues, the caller provides the name of the woman he says is armed with the gun. WKYC has decided not to include that name in this report.
Police: She’s trying to rob people?
Caller: Yes.
Police: Does she have people that she’s holding hostage?
Caller: Yes.
Police: Is anybody injured there?
Caller: Not now.
The caller, who later identifies himself as Jerry Smith, stayed on the phone with police for nine minutes -- maintaining a relaxed demeanor.
Police: What does she look like, sir? White female? Black female? Hispanic?
Caller: White.
Police: She’s an employee there? About how old is she?
Caller: Maybe 35.
Police: What’s she wearing?
Caller: She’s wearing black dress.
Police: What kind of gun does she have? Is it a handgun? Is it a rifle?
Caller: Rifle.
At one point toward the end of the 911 call, he tells police the woman is holding more than 10 people hostage.
Police descended on the scene and searched the building floor by floor before giving the all-clear, later revealing the report was false.
Now, the caller is wanted by police.