MOUNT LEBANON, Pa. —
Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon was swarmed with police Wednesday evening after someone made a swatting call to 911.
The caller claimed he had just killed his mother and was threatening to harm themselves. The caller provided a Mt. Lebanon address.
Mt. Lebanon police wouldn’t comment, but the person who lives at that address confirmed to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 it was, in fact, a hoax, known as a swatting call.
Multiple police departments were called to help before it was determined to be a hoax.
Retired State Police Maj. Frank Monaco said swatting calls waste recourses and can put first responders and civilians in danger.
“It’s frightening, and police get there and you never know when they’re expecting, a shootout, what could happen, and how the person in the house is going to react, so it puts a lot of people in danger, a very heightened, stress situation for everybody involved,” Monaco said.
A similar call was made on Monday.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reported a swatting call targeted the home of a former Pittsburgh police chief.
The caller also made false claims of murder and threats of suicide.
“I’m hoping that as time goes on, they’ll gain experience with investigating them and handling them, and they’ll be able to handle them like they so many other complaints. It’s a learning experience for everybody,” Monaco said.
In Pennsylvania, swatting can lead to criminal charges and potentially federal charges as well. A guilty verdict could carry...
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