RICHMOND, IN — Shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, the Richmond Police Department received what officials called “a disturbing call” from an unknown male stating he was in the 700 block of East Main Street in Richmond.
The caller said he was holding five Jewish hostages, he was armed with firearms and explosives, and he reported he had already killed one of the hostages, officials said in a news release Wednesday.
Officers began securing the area and were quickly joined by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and the Richmond Fire Department, which deployed a doctor-equipped ambulance, according to the release. As the situation escalated, the SWAT and drone team arrived, and negotiators, operating from Wayne County Emergency Communications, established contact with the caller.
Out of an abundance of caution, nearby buildings were cleared with the help of the Randolph County SWAT team, officials said. Investigators became aware of a live webcam feed in the area. After the feed was terminated, communications with the caller noticeably changed, the news release said.
Officers have determined this to be a “swatting” incident, a hoax in which someone falsely reports a violent emergency to prompt a massive police response, police said. “These incidents not only waste valuable resources but also put lives at risk.”
Even after determining the call to be a hoax, officers continued clearing the area to ensure the safety of the public.
“Make no mistake, what happened today was not a joke,” Chief Kyle Weatherly said in the release. “It was a calculated and dangerous disruption, and we responded with speed, coordination and professionalism. The Richmond Police Department treats every single call for service as if it’s real, because protecting our community is not something we take lightly.
“Whether you’re across the street or hiding behind a computer halfway across the country, if you threaten Richmond, we’re coming for you,” he said. “All information gathered during today’s incident will be forwarded to our federal partners at the FBI to help ensure pressure is applied and this individual is held accountable.”
This incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Richmond Police Department.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Richmond police: Suspected ‘swatting’ hoax involved claims of hostages, explosives
Reporting by Richmond Palladium-Item / Richmond Palladium-Item
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
