Police investigate ‘swatting’ incident in St. Catharines

Police are investigating an incident in St. Catharines where extensive emergency services were called to a home for reports of a shooting, only to find out the call was false.

This particular crime is called ‘swatting’ and is a criminal harassment tactic where a suspect calls 911 to report a serious incident and deliberately sends first responders to a residence where no such incident is taking place.

Niagara Regional Police were the victims of swatting on Wednesday shortly after 1:30 p.m. when they received a call about a shooting that had just happened at a home on Linwell Rd., between Ontario St. and Lakeport Rd. The caller reportedly said the shooter was still on scene.

This prompted a full response from 1 District officers, the Emergency Task Unit, the canine unit, crisis negotiators, as well as Niagara EMS.

But once crews arrived on scene and made contact with the person in the home, they quickly realized that no shooting had happened.

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Detectives from the cybercrime unit were assigned to the investigation once it was determined that a swatting incident had occurred.

The term ‘swatting’ originates from Special Weapons And Tactics teams, or SWAT responding to the address. Acts like this started as a prank online when suspects would call 911 on individuals doing a live-stream. Viewers would see the SWAT team rush the unsuspecting victim live on-screen.

Police say this is a serious criminal offense that adds unnecessary risk to both community members and first responders.

Anyone with information about this specific swatting incident in St. Catharines is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009495.