Minnesota Schools Targeted In 'Mass Swatting' Attempts: BCA

MINNESOTA — Minnesota schools are being targeted by "mass swatting" attempts Wednesday, the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Swatting "involves making a prank call to law enforcement services in an attempt to bring a large law enforcement response to a particular address," the BCA explains.

Reports of active shooter events or mass casualties have been made at schools across Minnesota, causing local law enforcement to respond. However, none of the reports have turned out to be real, authorities said.

"Our Minnesota Fusion Center is tracking these reports and keeping local law enforcement apprised of the situation," the BCA said. "States across the U.S. have experienced similar mass swatting attempts."

Mankato

According to Mankato police, around 10:30 a.m., authorities responded to a report of an active shooter at West High School. However, when police searched the entire school, they found there was no threat, and it's now believed the call was a hoax.

Rochester

A report of an active shooter at Lourdes High School on Wednesday in Rochester was determined to be false, according to the Olmsted County Sheriff.

Additionally, at about the same time, a student made false report of a person with a gun at the Mayo High School, according to Rochester Public School officials.

The district released the following statement to parents about the situation:

This morning, the Rochester Police Department responded to an active shooter threat at Lourdes High School. While this was happening, a student at Mayo High School reported to building leaders that they saw a person in a vehicle in the Mayo High School parking lot with a gun.

The situation was reported to law enforcement who responded to Mayo High School. In the meantime, Mayo went into lockdown. Mayo is now out of lockdown and resumed their normal schedule.

We have confirmed that the vehicle and person observed by the student was a law enforcement officer responding to Lourdes who briefly stopped near Mayo High School.

At this time, no other RPS schools are in lock down. We are extremely pleased with the student who reported the situation to building leaders. We are all safer when individuals say something when they see something.