Norton Swatting Hoax: Woman Targets Ex-Girlfriend, Police Say

NORTON, MA — A Boston woman tried to exact revenge on her ex-girlfriend by swatting her in Norton Wednesday, according to authorities. Alicia Mitchell, 36, called police and reported a fake hostage situation in Norton where he ex-girlfriend was staying — drawing a huge police response. No one was hurt in the incident. (Subscribe to Norton Patch news alerts for updates on this story and more breaking Norton news.)

Mitchell was charged with making a false report to police, threatening to use a firearm, interfering with police and disturbing the peace. In Attleboro District Court Thursday, prosecutors said Mitchell swatted her ex-girlfriend in an act of revenge, according to ABC6.

Swatting is when a vengeance-seeking individual contacts police and makes up a story in an attempt to draw a police response toward another person or group.

The incident happened Wednesday 3 a.m. and the call was directed at four people at an apartment building at 275 East Main Street. Nearby apartments were evacuated during the incident, which was resolved at about 8:30 a.m.

"At approximately 3 (a.m.) ... (Mitchell) stated to police that she was being held in her apartment, along with three children, by a man who was known to her and who had a firearm," Norton police Lieutenant Todd Jackson said in a statement. "Police were initially unable to enter the apartment due to the door being barricaded."

Negotiators with the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council continued to talk to Mitchell, Jackson said.

"After a period of exchanges between the negotiators and the caller, entry was gained into the apartment," Jackson said. "The occupants of the apartment, two adult males and two adult females, were questioned and released."

Jackson continued, "Police believe the incident was a hoax, or swatting call, and that the caller was not in the apartment."

Norton police, the state police bomb squad, the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, Mansfield police and the Norton Fire Department responded to the scene.

Mitchell was held on $7,500 bail following her arraignment Thursday, according to ABC6.

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