safety
Swatting call caused temporary lockdown at Rice Lake, Wisconsin health clinic
By Josh Skluzacek at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 2, 2026
· 2 min read
A health clinic in western Wisconsin was temporarily put into lockdown Thursday afternoon after a threatening phone call.
Just after 2 p.m., Barron County officials received a 911 call from a staff member at the Marshfield Medical Center Emergency Department in Rice Lake, stating that someone ...
Key takeaway , Barron County officials received a 911 call from a staff member at the Marshfield Medical Center Emergency Department in Rice Lake, stating that someone called and said two men were going to “shoot up the hospital” in about 20 minutes.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The lockdown of a health clinic in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, roughly two hours northeast of the Twin Cities, raises concerns for Minneapolis residents who may have connections to the area. Given the proximity of Rice Lake to the Twin Cities, it's possible that some patients or staff at the clinic may have ties to Minneapolis, either through work or personal relationships. The situation also serves as a reminder of the regional law enforcement collaborations that exist between western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, with the Barron County Sheriff's Department responding to the scene. As the situation unfolds, Minneapolis residents with family or friends in the Rice Lake area may be waiting anxiously for updates, and local authorities may be watching the response efforts to see if there are any lessons that can be applied to similar situations in the Twin Cities.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A health clinic in western Wisconsin was temporarily put into lockdown Thursday afternoon after a threatening phone call.
Just after 2 p.m., Barron County officials received a 911 call from a staff member at the Marshfield Medical Center Emergency Department in Rice Lake, stating that someone ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Josh Skluzacek at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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