On Christmas Day last year, Republican Congressman Brandon Williams was enjoying exchanging gifts with his family when a call came in on his cell phone.
At first, he didn't recognise the number, so ignored it. But when the phone's software transcribed the voicemail, he saw with horror that it was a message from the local Sheriff's office describing a shooting at his home.
Police had received a report that a man claiming to have killed his girlfriend was threatening to shoot himself, and that there were children in the house.
He immediately knew it was a swatting incident, he told the BBC.
"I had to put my family in a safe place, and be prepared to engage with the police in a way to de-escalate immediately," he recalled, "and I only had 60 seconds to make that happen."
Swatting is the act of making a hoax call to the police and alleging a serious violent crime so that a heavily-armed Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT Team) is dispatched. Innocent people have died in previous incidents.
Obviously frightened, the family gathered in the kitchen.
"I just told them, don't pick up any knives, make sure your hands are where they can be seen."
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link to www.bbc.com (secure)]
So people make false calls to the police about violent incients that have resulted in deaths? They are trying to link it to the last political race-an attempt to silence speech ahead?
Last Edited by Emeraldlight on 02/15/2024 01:02 AM
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