University of Virginia issued an alert on Monday, Nov. 3 reporting an active attacker with a gun near the area of Shannon Library. However, after 30 minutes of investigating, the school announced there was “no evidence of an attacker,” and issued an all-clear.
Charlottesville Police confirmed they had officers at the alleged scene to assist University Police in clearing the building. A CPD social media post urged students to stay clear until further notice.
UVA is not the first university to experience a false alarm. In August, University of South Carolina received a false report of an active shooter on campus. When law enforcement responded, they quickly discovered and confirmed the report to be a swatting hoax.
Swatting is a form of criminal harassment where a person makes a fake phone call to report serious crimes to emergency services. The term comes from fooling emergency services to spend a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
USC wasn’t the only university to experience a swatting call in August. Over 10 schools across the U.S. were swarmed with officers after a nationwide epidemic of swatting incidences spanned the last week of August.
The issue of hoax calls grew again after the death of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Many swatting calls stem from being racially motivated and target historically Black colleges and universities.
The concern with swatting is “twofold,” authorities told ABC News. Swatting wastes law enforcement resources. It also raises the issue of sending heavily armed officers into student spaces with guns drawn. This issue is highlighted when a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland was shot during a swatting response in September.
Regardless of the motive, there are serious penalties at stake for those placing the swatting calls. Federal charges can include false information, which can lead up to five years in prison with a “substantial fine.” Interstate transmission of threats can lead up to 20 years in jail if an injury occurs.
As of Monday, Nov. 3, the UVA investigation shifted to who made the report. A caller has not been identified.
