VISALIA, CA - Some may think that calling in a fake 911 call is humorous, but for police who respond to such calls and those who are the victim of so-called “swatting” calls, it is anything but.
Last Friday in Visalia, California, dispatchers received a call around 7:00 p.m. reporting an assault with a deadly weapon, the Visalia Police Department reported. The caller told the 911 operator that they were under the influence and accidentally shot their roommate in the chest, KSEE/KGPE reported.
Due to the nature of the call, numerous police officers responded to a residence on North Duke Street and received information while en route that the caller claimed he was armed, refused to put the gun down and refused to leave the residence, police said.
A large contingent of officers arrived on the scene and set up a perimeter. Officers eventually were able to enter the residence and contact the residents inside safely. It took very little time to determine that there were no injuries, no shooting had occurred, and the incident was, in fact, a “swatting” call, police said. As of publication, no suspect was identified and the investigation is ongoing.
“Swatting is not a prank. It is a dangerous criminal act that intentionally sends law enforcement officers to an unsuspecting person’s home under false pretenses,” the Visalia Police Department said in a statement.
Anyone caught making a swatting or false 911 call is subject to criminal charges, the department continued.
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