'Swatting' Call Falsely Reported Shooting In Stafford To Draw Emergency Response: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A swatting incident occurred in Stafford County on Tuesday evening, according to a report from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.

Swatting is a phenomenon that originated among online gamers. It involves falsely reporting a serious or violent crime in an effort to draw a large police response against an unsuspecting person.

Stafford County's Emergency Communication Center received a call at 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11. The caller described a shooting at a home in the Park Ridge subdivision, police said.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they were able to determine that the report was false. Now, authorities in Stafford County are working to identify possible suspects who may have made the false report.

The sheriff's office said that the suspect could face charges of identity theft and falsely summoning law enforcement.

To prevent swatting incidents, the sheriff's office provided some tips to help keep people safe as they play video games online.

• Avoid using a screen name that would allow a stranger to identify you.
• Online gamers should also hide their IP address to avoid revealing their location.
• Parents should talk with their children about internet safety and the dangers of swatting

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