‘Swatting’ Hoax Leaves Utah Emergency Teams Scrambling, Authorities Unamused

Photo: Gephardt Daily

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah – Feb. 1, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) Reports of a mass shooting Sunday night in Eagle Mountain prompted first responders from five different agencies to spring into action, but in the end it was determined it was all a hoax.

According to Utah County sheriff spokesman Sgt. Spencer Cannon, emergency dispatchers received a recorded call at about 8 p.m. saying there was an active shooting scene with mass casualties at a location on Cedar Pass Road, near Eagle Mountain.

Emergency crews from jurisdictions in Salt Lake City and Utah County responded, only to discover the entire episode was what Cannon called a probable swatting hoax.

Swatting calls have grown in popularity in recent months with numerous fake reports being called into dispatchers around the country, even though the act of making false reports to emergency services is punishable by prison.

Police say the recorded call was made from Salt Lake County. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here