UPDATE: Sioux Falls Veterans Hospital was on lockdown, no injuries reported

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - According to the Department of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), officials have a Sioux Falls Veterans Hospital was on lockdown early Friday afternoon.

UPDATE: Police spokesman Sam Clemens said this was a mental health incident. No injuries were reported and no criminal activity took place.

Authorities have decided to put the hospital on lockdown after a situation with an unstable individual who may need treatment. Officials say the situation is contained and that no injuries have been reported.

“It is not uncommon to have a veteran enter the hospital and threaten suicide,” says a VA staff member.

Representatives say they are not sure if the unstable individual in this situation has threatened suicide, however, it is a common occurrence according to the VA staff member.

While some of the buildings surrounding the hospital have security similar to entering a courthouse house, where personal items are searched and metal detectors are implemented, the main VA hospital does not have that type of security in place.

Copyright 2022 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.