Bristol County Swatting Threat: 'Shooting' Proves Fake

NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA — Multiple North Attleboro homes were evacuated Wednesday night after police said someone reported a hostage situation that turned out to be fake.

North Attleboro Police Chief John Reilly said a man called police and said he shot someone in his East Street home. He also claimed to have hostages and threatened to shoot them.

"The subject was specific about his location and his intentions," Reilly said in a statement.

Officers arrived at the scene and ordered nearby residents out of their homes as a precaution, Reilly said. Officers yelled out to a man inside and called his phone but received no response, though soon after he came out and police determined the call was fake, as there were no hostages inside, Reilly said.

No arrests were announced as of Thursday.

In nearby swatting news, an Andover teen was recently sentenced to four years in prison for making a series of swatting calls across the country.

• Andover Teen Hacker Sentenced for Nationwide Swatting Spree

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