MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Police Department received a 911 call from a juvenile reporting a shooting at a housing complex on Cummings Street at approximately 3:39 p.m. Oct. 4.
Officers from the Montpelier Police Department immediately responded to the area with the assistance of the Vermont State Police.
The housing complex was checked by responding officers, no shooting victims were reported or found and there was no evidence to support a shooting just took place as reported.
The initial investigation determined that the report was a swatting hoax—a false emergency call intended to provoke a large police response.
Such incidents create unnecessary risks for the public and emergency personnel, divert critical resources, and are being taken seriously by law enforcement.
An investigation into this incident and other recent, similar calls is underway with the assistance of the Vermont Intelligence Center and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
The Montpelier Police Department reminds the public that making a false emergency report is a serious criminal offense that can result in significant legal consequences, including prosecution at the state and federal level.
