swatting
Coverage of swatting in the Nexus archive.
- La Crosse police respond to 'swatting' call at hospital
La Crosse police responded to a late-night emergency call at Emplify Health hospital, which was identified as a 'swatting' incident. The call turned out to be a false alarm.
- Pete Buttigieg’s Ordeal Is a Frightening New Form of Political Harassment
Pete Buttigieg faced a Child Protective Services investigation based on a false child abuse allegation, resulting in a 24-hour separation from his children. The article compares this tactic to 'swatting,' where false 911 calls trigger police raids, and notes both methods exploit state institutions to harass public figures.
- Buttigieg slams 'swatting' incident that resulted in police removing his kids from their home
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that authorities temporarily removed his young twins from their home following an anonymous accusation alleging he posed a danger to children. He described the incident as a 'cruel, politically motivated hoax.'
- Pete Buttigieg and his kids were targeted by child services swatting call, police say
Pete Buttigieg and his children were targeted by an anonymous report that led to a child services swatting call. Police determined the report was false.
- Pete Buttigieg says false CPS report temporarily separated him from his children
Pete Buttigieg and his husband were temporarily separated from their children after a false anonymous report to Children’s Protective Services alleged he admitted to violent crimes at a conference he did not attend. Investigations confirmed the report was false, and Buttigieg described the 24-hour separation as one of the darkest experiences of his life, calling it a politically motivated 'swatting' incident.
- Pete Buttigieg Says He Was Separated From His Children in ‘Swatting’ Attack
Pete Buttigieg was separated from his children during a 'swatting' attack. He is considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
- Pete Buttigieg says family investigated over baseless child abuse allegation
Pete Buttigieg stated that an anonymous and baseless child abuse allegation led to a Child Protective Services investigation of his family. He described the separation from his children as 'among the darkest hours of my life' and compared the accusation to 'swatting'.
- 'Swatting' hoax threat prompts temporary lockdown at San Francisco Zoo
A 'swatting' hoax threat led to a temporary lockdown at the San Francisco Zoo on Monday afternoon. Authorities described the incident as a case of 'swatting', a prank involving false emergency reports.
- SF Zoo targeted in possible 'Swatting' incident
The San Francisco Zoo was targeted in a possible 'Swatting' incident, prompting staff and guests to shelter in place after receiving an unsubstantiated threat from an anonymous caller. The call occurred around 2:50 p.m., and the zoo is collaborating with the San Francisco Police Department to assess the threat's legitimacy.
- ‘Swatting’ incidents becoming more common for school districts, law enforcement officials
School districts in Vermont and across the U.S. are experiencing an increase in 'swatting' incidents, where false bomb or shooting threats trigger emergency responses. Recent examples involved seven Vermont schools, including Montpelier High School and Newport City Elementary, leading to evacuations and early dismissals despite no credible threats. Law enforcement officials describe these hoaxes as disruptive and fear-inducing, with investigations ongoing.
- Two British teenagers made a series of bomb-hoax calls to lure armed police to the homes of YouTube stars in the US as part of online prank known as 'swatting', court hears
Two British teenagers made bomb-hoax calls to lure armed police to the homes of YouTube stars in the US as part of an online prank called 'swatting'. The court heard details of the scheme involving false emergency reports.
- Police respond to ‘swatting’ call at Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s home
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett was the victim of a swatting call at her Virginia home, prompting police to respond to a report of gunshots. Law enforcement received a call about suspicious noises, and a dispatcher warned officers the report might not be authentic due to the resident's high priority status.
- Police rush to SCOTUS justice’s home amid rising threats against conservatives — but report quickly unravels
Police responded to a swatting call at Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's Virginia residence, which was later determined to be fictitious. The incident is part of ongoing security concerns for conservative public figures following past threats and protests linked to the Dobbs draft opinion and other cases.
- Police rush to SCOTUS justice’s home amid rising threats against conservatives — but report quickly unravels
Police responded to a swatting call at the residence of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in Virginia, which was later confirmed to be fictitious. The incident occurred amid heightened threats against conservative public figures, including past protests and violent threats against justices following the 2022 Dobbs draft opinion.
- Mother-of-seven justice Amy Coney Barrett targeted in chilling swatting scare as police rush to home over 'gunfire'
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a mother of seven, was targeted in a swatting incident. Police responded to her home due to reports of gunfire.
- Minecraft-playing grandma swatted when livestreaming to raise funds for grandson’s cancer treatment
Arizona grandmother Sue Jacquot was subjected to a swatting call while livestreaming a Minecraft fundraiser to raise money for her grandson's cancer treatment. Someone falsely reported a crime, resulting in a heavily armed police response to her home. This incident represents another high-profile case of criminal harassment through emergency service abuse in the United States.
- Minecraft-streaming gran swatted while raising cash for grandson's cancer care
An 82-year-old Minecraft streamer known as GrammaCrackers was subjected to a swatting attack at her home while raising funds for her grandson's cancer treatment. Despite the potentially dangerous situation, police responded with restraint and treated her kindly, and she remained unfazed by the incident. She resumed livestreaming the following day.
- Romanian national learns fate for swatting US officials including members of Congress, judges
A Romanian national, Thomasz Szabo, was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating swatting and bomb threats targeting U.S. officials, including members of Congress and federal judges. He was extradited from Romania and admitted guilt to conspiracy and explosive threat charges, alongside accomplice Nemanja Radovanovic of Serbia.
- Possible swatting incident forces evacuation of Costco in Marina del Rey
A suspected swatting incident led to the evacuation of a Costco store in Marina del Rey, California, after an anonymous caller threatened a shooting within 15 minutes. Culver City police responded to the store at 13463... as an investigation is ongoing.
- Romanian Citizen Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Numerous Members of Congress, Churches, and Former U.S. President
Thomasz Szabo, a 26-year-old Romanian citizen known by aliases Plank, Jonah, and Cypher, pleaded guilty to leading a years-long conspiracy involving 'swatting' attacks and bomb threats against members of Congress, churches, and a former U.S. President. The guilty plea concludes a significant law enforcement case targeting a major swatting operation that affected numerous victims across the United States.
- California Teenager Sentenced to 48 Months for Nationwide Swatting Spree
Alan W. Filion, a teenager from Lancaster, California, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for conducting a nationwide swatting spree. He was convicted of making interstate threats to injure others through these dangerous hoax calls.