(Contributed photo)
A reported shooting that prompted a large multi-agency police response in the Clear Springs Court area Tuesday night has been determined to be a swatting hoax, according to the Central Bucks Regional Police Department.
Police said officers were dispatched around 10:13 p.m. March 3 to a high-priority emergency call reporting a critical incident at a residence in Doylestown Borough. Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter around the home and began emergency response procedures while attempting to communicate with residents inside.
Following a tactical assessment and contact with occupants of the targeted home, authorities determined the call was a swatting incident, meaning someone made a false report designed to trigger a large armed police response.
By James Short “Swatting is not a prank; it is a serious criminal act that endangers our community and our first responders,” police said in a statement Wednesday morning. Officials said such calls divert critical emergency resources away from legitimate incidents and can cause significant trauma for innocent residents caught in the situation.
The police department said it is now working with the Bucks County District Attorney's Office to trace the origin of the call. Authorities noted that previous swatting cases in Bucks County have resulted in criminal charges against those responsible.
Police have not released additional details about the source of the call as the investigation continues.
The swatting incident occurred the same night as other reported swatting cases in Montgomery County, including one in Lower Merion and Springfield Township.
