GARNETT — A bogus call to authorities alleging a shooting and hostage situation caused quite a disruption here Wednesday afternoon.
The Garnett Police Department provided details of the “swatting” call, which led a team of authorities to the 400 block of West Third Street shortly after 1 p.m.
The caller told dispatchers he had shot someone inside the residence, was holding hostages and was armed with multiple firearms, according to a Garnett Police Department press release.
The caller, who gave authorities his name and address, also told the dispatchers the officers “would have to come in and get them,” according to the press release.
However, soon after officers arrived to set up a perimeter, the caller hung up and made no other contact with authorities.
Eventually, officers did reach three occupants inside the house, and soon deduced the call was a hoax.
None of the three had apparently made the call, officers said, adding they found no evidence a call had been placed from inside the residence.
During their investigation, officers found the occupants had a video game console connected via the internet, which allowed the conduit for the caller to place the bogus call.
“Thus, this residence and its occupants seem to be innocent victims,” according to the press release.
These types of calls are referred to as “swatting” calls, or one in which a false report is made of a serious law enforcement emergency, often involving a shooting or hostage situation.
Most such calls are made through a type of game console via the internet.
Sometimes they lead to tragic results.
In December 2018, a Wichita police officer mistakenly shot and killed an innocent man in response to such a call. That call stemmed from an argument over a $1.50 wager as part of an online video game. To make matters worse, the caller gave officers the wrong address.
The caller, a California man, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Kansas lawmakers have since made such crimes punishable by up to 41 years in prison if a false call results in injury or death.
Wednesday’s incident utilized Garnett police, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, school administrators from USD 365, the Kansas Highway Patrol and special response teams from KHP and Coffey County.
