FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Fort Pierce police responded Saturday afternoon to a reported bomb threat at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, the latest in a series of recent threats that have prompted significant law-enforcement responses in the Fort Pierce area.

The Fort Pierce Police Department said officers began investigating the threat shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Police responded to the hospital at 1700 S. 23rd Street and investigated the threat and any potentially suspicious items. As of the latest publicly available information reviewed by IRC Media Saturday evening, authorities had not announced the discovery of an explosive device.

Lawnwood is one of the region’s major medical facilities. Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration lists the hospital as a 497-bed facility with an emergency department and Level II trauma center, making any security disruption there particularly significant for emergency medical services across the Treasure Coast.

Threat follows evacuation at Indian River State College

Saturday’s investigation came just one day after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of three buildings at Indian River State College’s Massey Campus in Fort Pierce.

According to Fort Pierce police, an IRSC employee opened an email containing the threat shortly before 9 a.m. Friday and immediately alerted campus security. Police evacuated the buildings identified in the message, including the library, while officers and K-9 teams searched the campus.

No explosives were found, and the threat was ultimately determined to be unfounded.

The investigation into that incident remains noteworthy because police said the email used a similar format to threats reported in Martin County, although investigators said they could not directly connect the incidents. The FBI is assisting local investigators in attempting to trace the origin of the email.

Fort Pierce Central targeted earlier this month

Fort Pierce Central High School was also evacuated following a bomb threat on Sept. 4.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Team searched the campus before giving the all-clear at approximately 3 p.m. No explosive devices were located, according to authorities.

The incident disrupted classes, brought a large law-enforcement response to the school and sent parents rushing to pick up students.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said at the time that authorities treat every threat seriously and investigate potential hoaxes because of the disruption and expense they create for the community.

Separate explosive-device investigation in Fort Pierce

The hospital threat also comes during an unusual week for bomb investigators in St. Lucie County.

In a separate case, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office arrested 57-year-old Keith Anthony Morrone of Fort Pierce after investigators said they discovered eight suspected improvised explosive devices and materials used to manufacture explosives at a Balsam Drive residence.

Morrone was charged with eight counts related to possessing, making or attempting to make destructive devices.

Authorities have not publicly connected that investigation to the bomb threats at Lawnwood Hospital, IRSC or Fort Pierce Central High School, and IRC Media is not suggesting the incidents are related.

Multiple investigations remain underway

The recent incidents have required responses from multiple Treasure Coast law-enforcement agencies and, in the IRSC case, federal investigators.

Whether any of the recent threats are connected remains an open question.

The most immediate unanswered question Saturday evening is the outcome of the investigation at Lawnwood Hospital. IRC Media will update this report if Fort Pierce police announce an all-clear, identify a suspect or release additional information about the origin of the threat.