SALEM — Salem Police responded to a false emergency report early Saturday morning that prompted a large-scale police response in the area of Tremont Street and School Street.
At approximately 4:56 a.m. July 12, police received a call from someone claiming to have shot and killed his wife.
All available units responded due to the nature of the call.
The caller identified himself and stated he was in possession of a gun and intended to shoot responding officers.
Officers established a perimeter upon arrival and made numerous public address announcements along with callbacks to the suspect’s phone number.
At approximately 5:50 a.m., a male was observed through a window of the home.
At approximately 6:01 a.m., Salem police dispatchers received a callback from someone who identified a large police presence outside his home.
The dispatcher perceived that the voice of this caller sounded different than the original caller.
The caller came out and the residence was cleared.
Police determined the incident was “swatting,” which is the act of making a false report of an emergency to public safety agencies with the intention of triggering a large-scale response, often involving a SWAT team.
The Salem Police Criminal Investigation Division has initiated an investigation to determine who is responsible.
Police said swatting is dangerous to the public and is a crime.
