THE CITY OF GARNETT WAS THE VICTIM OF A SWATTING INCIDENT ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12TH. ANDERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED A CALL OF A SHOOTING IN THE 800 BLOCK OF MONROE STREET ABOUT 9:30 THAT NIGHT, A MALE CALLER SAYING HE HAD SHOT A FAMILY MEMBER INSIDE THE RESIDENCE. NUMEROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE AND BEGAN AN ASSESSMENT. AS THEY MADE CONTACT WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE, IT WAS CLEAR THEY WERE NOT AT THE RIGHT ADDRESS. A SEARCH OF NEARBY RESIDENCES TURNED UP NOTHING. DURING THIS TIME, POLICE RECEIVED WORD THAT A RELATIVE OF THE INITIAL RESIDENCE WAS RECEIVING THREATENING PHONE CALLS FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION.
IN THE END, THEY REALIZED THAT IS WAS A SWATTING CALL. SWATTING IS DEFINED AS “ACTION OR PRACTICE OF MAKING A PRANK CALL TO EMERGENCY SERVICES IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRING A LARGE NUMBER OF ARMED POLICE OFFICERS TO A CERTAIN ADDRESS.
IN 2017, A SWATTING INCIDENT IN WICHITA, FROM A CALLER IN CALIFORNIA, LED TO THE ACCIDENTAL SHOTTING DEATH OF AN INNOCENT MAN. THOSE PEOPLE WERE TRACKED DOWN AND BROUGHT TO KANSAS FOR PROSECUTION. ONE MAN RECEIVING 20 YEARS FOR HIS ROLE IN THE INCIDENT.
