LAFAYETTE, IN — The Tippecanoe County Bomb Squad was dispatched Tuesday morning to a home formerly owned by local State Sen. Ron Alting after an anonymous email claimed two pipe bombs had been planted there.
Tippecanoe County Sheriff Bob Goldsmith said the residence on Lafayette’s north end, which is now occupied by a different family, was cleared, and no threat was found.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Jeremy Piers said ISP is investigating the incident, but there is no ongoing threat to the public. Piers said, referring to a Nov. 20 ISP news release, swatting incidents, such as the bomb threat against Alting, are potentially dangerous to all involved and against the law.
In a statement Tuesday, Alting said he thanks the local police agencies for their fast response, clear communication and professionalism throughout the swatting incident.
“Although the investigation is ongoing, this was a false threat intended to cause fear and disrupt the lives of innocent people. Regardless of the motive, it is dangerous and irresponsible, and it puts families and first responders at risk,” Alting said. “I was especially troubled that the people directly impacted were a local pastor, his wife, and their high school-age son. They have no role in politics, yet they were forced to deal with the anxiety and disruption caused by someone acting anonymously. As soon as I learned of the situation, I reached out to the family to express my concern and to offer support.”
In late October, Alting said he would support proposed mid-decade redistricting after months of remaining silent on the subject. In a series of posts made on X, Alting said the then-ongoing federal government shutdown had “convinced” him to support efforts to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps.
“Given the current situation in Washington, D.C., I feel an obligation to help ensure my former colleagues are working with a strong Republican majority in the US House of Representatives,” he said in a post on X. “Therefore, they can get federal spending under control, balance the federal budget, and address the out-of-control national debt. I support President Trump, and I support plans to redistrict our maps.”
On Tuesday, Alting said Hoosiers can disagree strongly on policy but cannot allow threatening hoaxes or fear-based intimidation to become part of public life.
“I will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as they investigate this matter,” Alting said. “We must always stand together in protecting the safety of families, neighbors and our community.”
Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Sen. Ron Alting target of false bomb threat to former Lafayette address
Reporting by Jillian Ellison, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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