All articles tagged with #swatting
Fairfax County police say a late Wednesday call alleging gunshots at Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s home was determined to be fictitious after coordination with the Supreme Court Police; no extra resources were deployed and Barrett was at the bench Thursday morning. The incident reflects ongoing security concerns for the judiciary, coming after past Barrett threats and a broader pattern of threats against judges.
A retro computing panel at Vintage Computer Festival East in New Jersey was interrupted by a bomb threat (swatting), prompting evacuation and an early end to the event as police responded; AmigaBill livestreamed the aftermath and attendees waited outside before being cleared to move to safety.
Two Lake Brantley High School students, Isabelle Valdez (15) and Lois Lippert (14), were arrested for allegedly plotting to kill a fellow student, with Valdez planning to stab the victim and reportedly hoping for a “blood bond” after the act; the plan involved a knife and other items found in a backpack, and Valdez had been under FBI scrutiny for swatting calls and hearing voices. The girls were charged as adults, denied bond, and will remain in custody as their case moves through the courts. A 20‑minute video from a squad car capturing their post‑arrest comments shows them laughing about mugshots and appearances, which prosecutors say demonstrates a lack of regard for consequences; their next court date is April 29.
The Secret Service uncovered a vast network of over 100,000 SIM cards and 300 servers near New York City capable of causing widespread cell service disruption and potentially enabling criminal activities, highlighting a significant threat to national security and emergency communications.
An online group called Purgatory claimed responsibility for recent swatting incidents at U.S. college campuses, including Villanova, by making false emergency calls to draw law enforcement to these locations. The group used Telegram to publicize their actions, but their claims remain unverified, and authorities suspect their involvement in multiple hoaxes.
The FBI is investigating a surge in swatting hoaxes at US universities, causing chaos and risking safety, as authorities urge vigilance and report suspicious activity to prevent further incidents.
A series of false active shooter reports, known as swatting, have disrupted multiple college campuses across the U.S., causing lockdowns and police responses, with authorities warning about the dangers and increasing frequency of such hoaxes.
A wave of false active shooter reports at universities across the U.S. has caused widespread panic and law enforcement responses, highlighting the growing problem of swatting and its impact on campus safety and resources.
Several universities across the U.S. experienced hoax reports of active shooters at the start of the fall semester, which were later confirmed to be false or swatting calls, prompting police responses and campus alerts.
Villanova University was targeted by a false active shooter report for the second time in four days, prompting a police response and campus evacuation, which was later confirmed to be a hoax. The incidents are under investigation, and authorities are working to identify those responsible.
Villanova University was the target of a false active shooter report caused by a swatting incident, prompting a large law enforcement response that was ultimately unnecessary. The false calls, which included gunshot sounds and a wounded person, led to a shelter-in-place order that was later lifted, with investigations ongoing to identify those responsible.
Thomasz Szabo, a Romanian citizen, pleaded guilty to leading a conspiracy that involved making false threats and swatting at numerous U.S. officials, including members of Congress and government agencies, with investigations and extradition efforts supported by multiple U.S. agencies and Romanian authorities.
A woman died in Georgia after a police officer responding to a hoax pipe bomb threat involving Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene collided with her car. The threat, sent from a Russian IP address, falsely claimed a bomb was in Greene's mailbox, prompting a bomb squad response. This incident marks the ninth swatting attempt against Greene. The officer involved in the crash suffered minor injuries, while the FBI is investigating the threat. Greene expressed condolences and emphasized the strain such threats place on law enforcement.
A day after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in New York City, two homes owned by his family in Maple Grove, Minnesota, were targeted by a fake bomb threat, which police classified as a 'swatting' incident. No suspicious items were found, and the case remains under investigation. Swatting, the act of falsely reporting an emergency to provoke a police response, has been elevated to a felony in Minnesota. Meanwhile, New York police are searching for a suspect in Thompson's murder, which they believe was a targeted attack.
Democratic lawmakers and their families have been targeted with bomb threats and swatting incidents, reportedly signed with 'MAGA,' prompting calls for increased protection. The FBI is investigating, and no devices have been found. Lawmakers like Reps Rosa DeLauro, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, and Seth Magaziner have reported threats, reflecting a rise in security incidents against Congress members. Despite the threats being deemed non-credible, concerns about violence against public officials persist amid growing disrespect for civic institutions.