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The Saskatchewan RCMP is searching for the person who made a hoax call that prompted a massive police response earlier in the week.
So-called “swatting” incidents involve fake calls made to police that often result in officers responding quickly and in force to the area.
In a media release Friday, the Mounties said officers at the Indian Head detachment got a call Tuesday at about 3:10 p.m. about a homicide and an armed suspect inside a house in Montmartre.
“The caller, who seemed genuinely terrified, reported witnessing a shooting inside a residence in Montmartre,” the police release said. “The caller claimed to be hiding inside a room from the killer.”
The Mounties said officers mobilized and arrived at the house “fully equipped with hard body armour and the resolve to enter a dangerous situation,” but soon found out the call was bogus. People in the house didn’t know anything about the call, and police determined there wasn’t a threat.
The RCMP said it has started a mischief investigation to determine who made the call.
According to the Mounties, their response to the call involved:
- Indian Head RCMP using a drone to get a closer view of the residence and the activities inside;
- Fort Qu’Appelle RCMP and the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol helping to secure the residence to ensure the threat was contained and residents in the community were safe;
- Saskatchewan RCMP Police Dog Services;
- A Conservation Officer from the Provincial Protective Services Branch;
- A Saskatchewan RCMP crisis negotiator from Regina;
- Paramedics on standby in the event of any injuries;
- Saskatchewan RCMP’s Divisional Operational Communication Centre in Regina;
- SaskTel, which was working to help gather information to trace the origin of the call; and
- A request for assistance from Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team, Regina Police Service, and the Saskatchewan Protection and Response Team in the event the incident escalated.
“Over the time period of this response, from approximately 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saskatchewan RCMP received 53 calls for service unrelated to this incident requesting police assistance across the province,” said the RCMP, noting the call may have kept officers from helping people who were in a real life-threatening situation.
The Mounties reminded people to call 911 only in the event of real emergencies.
