Minnesota Fusion Center Says It's Monitoring Hoax 911 Calls

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Fusion Center said Tuesday it is monitoring eight hoax school shooting calls made to state 911 call centers over the past two days. The hoax calls are also known as "swatting."

All of the false reports this week apparently came from the same person, who is using Voice Over IP to conduct the hoax, authorities said.

The Fusion Center exists to share information between the government and the private sector about threats to public safety and homeland security. The center sent an alert about the fake calls to law enforcement across Minnesota.

State authorities said there were 27 hoax school shooting calls in 2022, including more than a dozen in September.

Schools in states across the U.S. have experienced similar mass swatting attempts, and perpetrators can face fines or jail time, as well as discipline from the school if they are a student.

"To date, none were found to be legitimate; however, law enforcement must still treat each incident seriously," the BCA said in a statement Tuesday.

In 2021, the BCA released the See It, Say It, Send It app for people to report genuine threats of school violence in Minnesota. After a report is filed, the BCA will notify local law enforcement and assist in responding to the crime scene.