Netflix’s Los Angeles studio had quite a scare today, after reports of a possible active shooter caused the company to lock down the building — in this case, the Sunset Bronson Studios which the company shares with CBS and local news channel KTLA.
Netflix went on lockdown in Los Angeles after a fake active shooter threat
It’s not clear whether the incident was Netflix-related
It’s not clear whether the incident was Netflix-related
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.
But an LAPD spokesperson tells The Verge that the gunman never actually existed: “The suspect was never on site.” LAPD explained that a local resident phoned in a threat around 3:53pm PT. Police first responded by locking down the building, and later took a suspect into custody in a different location — a suspect who didn’t have a gun. The lockdown has since been lifted.
“We’ve now received an all clear from the LAPD. There was never an individual with a firearm on the property,” reads a statement issued by Netflix at 5:57pm PT.
Because Netflix is only one of the building’s occupants, it wasn’t immediately clear if the incident had anything to do with Netflix — but Forbes and the Los Angeles Times report that the suspect is a former Netflix employee. An LAPD spokeperson told The Verge that his employment status isn’t yet known, and Netflix told us it had nothing to add at this time.
A Netflix comms manager, Jenna Marotta, described the scene like this:
David Hayter, perhaps best known as the voice of Metal Gear Solid’s Solid Snake but also a Hollywood screenwriter and director, also tweeted that he was among those trapped and barricaded in Netflix’s offices during the lockdown.
“We received a tip about a potential law enforcement incident at our LA office. Police are conducting a sweep of the lot out of an abundance of caution. There is no immediate danger or threat to our employees,” reads a statement Netflix provided to The Verge and other publications.
CBS Los Angeles wrote that the person was reportedly on top of the building, holding a gun, and was later arrested at his home without ever firing a shot. Now, we know how that’s possible.
Update, 8:31 PM ET: Added LAPD info that this alleged gunman never existed.
Update, 8:45 PM ET: Added Forbes’ report that the suspect is a former Netflix employee.
Update, 8:59 PM ET: Added Netflix confirmation that there was no gunman.
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