'Swatting' Hoax Caused Cape Cod School Lockdown: Police

BOURNE, MA – A Cape Cod school system was placed on lockdown after officials received what is believed to be a "swatting" prank call, police said. An employee of Bourne Middle School received a call around 11:05 a.m. from someone claiming to be an active shooter inside the school.

Bourne elementary, middle and high schools were temporarily locked down, the Cape Cod Times reported. Police responded to the middle school and determined "the call was fake and no students were in danger," Lt. Brandon Esip said.

The "swatting" prank has made headlines in recent years – even celebrities like Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher have been targeted. The prank involves calling 911 operators that are close to their victims, frequently using caller ID to conceal their true location, then reporting severely dangerous situations that would warrant a SWAT team response, according to NPR.

Police are investigating the source of the "swatting-type" call, according to Esip.

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