(Estherville)– Local law enforcement officials say they’ve been seeing an uptick in “swatting” calls recently.
The latest occurred around 4:30 pm Monday in Estherville where police received a phone call from an unknown person reporting a double homicide had supposedly taken place in the 300 block of North 15th Street in Estherville. Officers along with deputies from the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office responded and quickly determined it was a false report and that no murders had occurred.
Investigating officers conducted interviews with the occupants of the residence to try to figure out who made the call. The FBI and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are also now involved in the matter.
Officials say swatting calls put the public and residents in danger as officers respond to the calls at a high rate of speed. They add the victims of the swatting calls are also endangered while officers are entering and clearing their residences.
