Residents on Kentland Avenue woke up to chaos when multiple police units and EMS raced to a home after a chilling 911 call — a woman claiming she had shot her mother in the head and was thinking of killing herself.
From the SCDN Scanner
But when officers arrived, they found something very different.
The woman who lived there answered the door, calm and unharmed. She told officers she lived alone and had no family nearby. Police cleared the home and found no victim, no weapon, and no signs of violence.
She told officers that she had just arrived home from work.
It was all a hoax — a dangerous and illegal stunt known as “swatting.”
💥 What Is Swatting?
Swatting happens when someone makes a false 911 call — often claiming there’s a shooting, hostage situation, or other violent emergency — to trick police into sending a SWAT team or large response to someone else’s address.
It’s often done out of revenge, spite, or as an online prank — but it’s no joke. Across the country, swatting has led to innocent people being injured or even killed when officers are forced to respond as if a real threat exists.
⚖️ The Consequences
Authorities warn that swatting is a serious felony.
Depending on the outcome, it can carry up to 20 years in prison for false reporting, obstruction, and inducing panic — not to mention being on the hook for the thousands of dollars it costs taxpayers when emergency services respond.
🚨 What To Do If It Happens To You
If officers suddenly show up at your door after a false call:
- Stay calm and cooperative. Keep your hands visible.
- Explain quickly that there’s no emergency.
- Call 911 yourself after the incident to report the hoax and make sure your name and address are flagged for potential swatting attempts in the future.
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