Over the past year, a Virginia Beach family said their home has been swatted three times. They don’t know why and they are frustrated.
According to the FBI, swatting, “involves calling 9-1-1 and faking an emergency that draws a response from law enforcement—usually a SWAT team.”
They said callers often tell tales of hostages about to be executed or bombs about to go off.
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The FBI says the community is placed in danger as responders rush to the scene, taking them away from real emergencies and the officers are placed in danger as unsuspecting residents may try to defend themselves.
Virginia Beach Police got one of these calls back on Dec. 4, 2023. The called told police that the mother at this home was injured and the father was armed with a rifle.
Byron Farlow said he was home with his two children who are young adults and he was making dinner that night.