Crime

False shooting report prompts emergency response

ESCANABA -- A report of a shooting -- which was later determined to be false -- prompted a response from multiple law enforcement agencies Thursday morning in Escanaba.

At approximately 11 a.m., the Escanaba Department of Public Safety (EDPS) received a call reporting an individual had shot a family member at South 18th Street in Escanaba.

EDPS responded to the call alongside the Delta County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police (MSP).

All residents at the reported locations were contacted by law enforcement, and the information provided by the caller was determined to be false, according to a news release. There is no threat to the public.

The incident caused the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) and DSISD Learning Center to go into what they refer to as "SECURE," during which all outside doors are locked and no one is allowed in or out of the building.

"This was out of an abundance of caution due to an off-campus incident," the DSISD announced. "Both buildings were in SECURE for about 30 minutes."

All Escanaba Area Public Schools (EAPS) went into lockdown due to the off-campus situation, as well. Both EAPS and DSISD schools' operations returned to normal Thursday afternoon.

Information regarding the call was forwarded to the appropriate agencies for further investigation into the caller.

EDPS thanks Delta County Central Dispatch, the Delta County Sheriff's Office and MSP for their assistance.

Providing false information to law enforcement is a serious offense. Such phone calls are more commonly referred to as "swatting."

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), swatting is making malicious hoax calls to emergency services to falsely report an ongoing emergency such as a violent crime or explosive device at a certain location.

"The intent is to cause large-scale deployment of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, bomb squads and other police resources. Individuals and institutions are often unaware of the emergency response, causing confusion, frustration and potential use of force that may result in harm for the target and responding officials," said DHS.

Following a swatting incident in Marine City in April, Michigan Department of Attorney General Dana Nessel reminded residents that those suspected of swatting can be charged with false report of a crime, a 93-day misdemeanor; false report resulting in physical injury, a five-year felony; false report resulting in a serious bodily impairment, a 10-year felony; and/or false report resulting in a death, a 15-year felony.

"Swatting is not harmless," said Nessel. "It is a serious crime that can lead to dangerous situations and divert law enforcement away from someone facing an actual emergency. What callers may believe to be a 'joke' actually risks the public safety of our communities and can carry lifelong consequences for those responsible."

------

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.