In brief
Approximately 50 college campuses have encountered hoax calls linked to armed violence, causing panic and mobilizing law enforcement. These swatting incidents have become more frequent, with groups trading tactics to confuse authorities. The FBI is investigating the surge with no arrests made yet, highlighting the growing dangers of these fictitious threats.
MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Over the past few weeks, nearly 50 college campuses across the United States have been inundated with hoax calls regarding armed gunmen and similar threats, exposing the difficulties in rapidly discerning fake alerts from real emergencies, which often leads to widespread panic.
Students at several of these institutions found themselves in distressing situations, hiding under desks for hours, only to later learn that it was a prank. Historically Black colleges were particularly affected last Thursday, as many went into lockdown or canceled classes amid the heightened anxiety following a recent shooting involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college.
Despite the FBI's ongoing investigation into these incidents, no arrests have been made. Dispatch centers have emerged as the critical line of defense against swatting, particularly in the context of a nation grappling with rising incidents of mass shootings, including several tragic events in recent days.
“With the frequency of mass shootings and the tragic loss of young lives, one cannot simply dismiss hoaxes as mere pranks,” stated Wendy Via, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
Swatting Incidents on the Rise
Swatting, a practice designed to incite a police response—often involving SWAT teams—originated from fake bomb threats and has evolved from online gaming disputes to organized tactics among groups targeting vulnerable institutions. The FBI has reported a worrying increase in swatting cases, following the establishment of a dedicated center in 2023 to compile data on these threats, with thousands of incidents submitted by law enforcement agencies.
In response to the rampant occurrence of swatting, the U.S. Department of Education has provided guidance on identifying these hoax calls, detailing telltale signs such as inability to provide specific information about their location or mispronunciations of names.
Identifying Swatting Calls
Some of the recent swatting calls have been linked to an organization called Purgatory, which is part of a larger, loosely connected group of online threat actors. Despite reports naming this group, the FBI remains tight-lipped regarding specific details.
Considering one swatting episode that transpired last month at Kansas State University, it was quickly identified by alert officers due to discrepancies in the caller's details. Major Daryl Ascher shared that clues such as the type of call—non-emergency rather than 911—pointed to fraudulent activity.
These unsettling incidents not only strain law enforcement but also heighten student anxiety about genuine threats. Many worry that repeated false alarms will lead to desensitization regarding real emergencies.
As voiced by student Miceala Morano, a senior journalism major, “There is a fear that we’ll become complacent to alerts. Unfortunately, the possibility of a real threat remains.”
