“Massive Swatting Incident Sends Police Scrambling and Communities on Edge”

Universities across the United States are grappling with a surge in swatting incidents—hoax 9-1-1 calls that falsely report an active shooter and trigger large-scale police responses. Within a single 24-hour span, Kansas State University, Villanova University, the University of South Carolina and several other campuses were forced into lockdowns, sending frantic alerts to tens of thousands of students and parents before officials confirmed the threats were fabricated. WHAT HAPPENED • Kansas State University: Manhattan police raced to the campus after a caller claimed multiple gunmen had entered a residence hall. Officers cleared buildings room-by-room before declaring the scene safe in roughly 40 minutes. • Villanova University: For the second time in a week, a 9-1-1 call reported shots fired near the Connelly Center, prompting shelter-in-place orders and an hours-long search that found no threat. • University of South Carolina: An evening campus-wide alert warned of an “active shooter in Russell House.” Police later identified the call as a coordinated swatting hoax tied to the same VoIP number used in other states. PATTERN SUGGESTS COORDINATED CAMPAIGN Federal investigators say the caller (or callers) spoofed local phone numbers and exploited internet-based voice services to mask their location, a tactic common in recent school swatting waves. Similar false shooter reports struck more than 200 K-12 schools earlier this year, and the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center is tracking the latest string of university attacks as a single “multi-state event.” WHY SWATTING IS SO DANGEROUS Even when no shots are fired, swatting can cost law-enforcement agencies tens of thousands of dollars per response, divert officers from real emergencies, and traumatize students who believe they are under attack. In 2017, a Wichita, Kansas swatting call led police to fatally shoot an unarmed man, underscoring just how quickly hoaxes can turn deadly. LEGAL CONSEQUENCES ARE SEVERE Swatting is a federal crime. Perpetrators can be charged with transmitting false information and face up to 20 years in prison if someone is injured during the response. In cases involving death, prosecutors may pursue life sentences. Cyber-investigators routinely trace VoIP traffic through overseas servers; past arrests show that anonymity tools rarely hold up against search warrants and digital forensics. HOW UNIVERSITIES ARE RESPONDING • Layered Verification: Dispatch centers now attempt rapid call-back procedures and cross-check multiple data sources to validate caller identity. • Enhanced Camera Feeds: Real-time access to campus CCTV lets police confirm or refute reports within minutes. • Mass-Notification Drills: Schools are refining text, email and public-address alerts so students know how to shelter without spreading rumors. • Mental-Health Support: Counseling centers are extending walk-in hours for anyone experiencing anxiety after the false alarms. TIPS FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY 1. Save emergency contacts for campus police and local 9-1-1 in your phone. 2. During an alert, follow official instructions; avoid livestreaming or posting tactical details that could hamper police work. 3. After the “all clear,” complete any debrief surveys; your feedback helps refine lockdown procedures. 4. Report suspicious social media chatter—many swatters brag online before or after an incident. LOOKING AHEAD Lawmakers in at least eight states are drafting bills to impose mandatory restitution on swatters for law-enforcement overtime and campus disruptions. Meanwhile, the FBI is urging technology platforms to tighten user verification for VoIP services that enable anonymous emergency calls. For now, authorities stress that preparedness—not panic—is the best defense. “We treat every report as credible until proven otherwise,” said a Kansas State police spokesperson. “But the public should know: when you place a swatting call, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted.”