Hoax shooter calls received across Ohio

A previous report on the number of swatting calls made in September 2022 can be viewed in the player above.

Columbus, Ohio (WCMH) — Authorities went to two schools in central Ohio on Tuesday afternoon after receiving a hoaxed call about the shootings.

Around 12:45 p.m., a 911 call was received reporting a shooting inside East High School, according to Columbus Police. Both police and fire departments responded and found no threats when they arrived.

Immediately after Delaware County Sheriff’s Office A similar call was received regarding a suspected shooter at Olentangy High School in the Lewis Center. The sheriff’s office confirmed the call was a hoax and determined the area to be safe after evacuating the building.

Multiple schools around Ohio also received hoax calls about the shooter. two in daytonOne is in Cincinnati and the other is in Akron, according to law enforcement agencies in those areas.

September 23, 2022many schools in Ohio received hoax calls from current shooters, dubbed “swatting” by law enforcement officers.

Former FBI agent Harry Trombitas told NBC4 in September that it was “sometimes difficult, but not impossible” to track down callers who made false reports of mass shootings. increase. Trombitas said the FBI has developed various means to track “anonymous” calls very quickly.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the person responsible for this could be held accountable,” Trombitas said on the September conference call. “You are not anonymous. There are ways to track you.”