MCMINNVILLE, TN – A 17-year-old from Maryville is facing multiple felony charges after a “swatting” prank triggered a massive police response at a local residence on February 16, 2026. The incident was published in a news release by the McMinville Police Department this past Friday.
McMinnville authorities say they received a harrowing report claiming an individual had been shot and another was being held hostage within the city limits. Officers rushed to the scene and established a perimeter, only to quickly determine that the life-threatening claims were entirely fabricated. The department reported that the deception didn’t end with the initial report. Shortly after the scene was secured, three additional calls were placed to emergency services reporting the same fake hostage situation.
The Investigation – The investigation, led by Detective Sgt. Katelyn Neal, utilized digital evidence to trace the origin of the calls back to a juvenile in Maryville. Investigators discovered that the suspect had a personal connection to someone staying at the McMinnville residence…