Some residents in Rowan County are believed to be the victims of a form of criminal harassment called “Swatting.”
Swatting is falsely reporting an emergency to public safety for the intent of getting a S.W.A.T. team response to a location where no emergency exists.
An incident began to unfold in the Farmers community late Saturday night when an individual, now believed to be from out of state, contacted Rowan Dispatch claiming to be an area resident. In the call, the individual told authorities he had just killed his wife and children, prompting responses from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, the Kentucky State Police, the Morehead City Police Department S.W.A.T. Team and other emergency responders. It was eventually determined the individuals at the residence were not aware of any of this, and no one was ever in any danger.
Rowan County Sheriff Matt Sparks says his scrutiny of the situation began when the individual on the phone described his location.
Sparks says work is underway to track down the individual responsible for the call and response, and he expects charges to be filed.