Supplemental Info:

Once again, federal, state and local law enforcement are investigating a large wave of hoax 911 calls reporting active shooters at K-12 schools across multiple states including KS, MN, & OH.

According to reports, the calls are consistent and coordinated. As previously reported to AlertsUSA subscribers, waves of such calls in Minnesota and Louisiana appeared to be originating from overseas, and in particular from Ethiopia, using VoIP (Voice over IP) technologies.

The hoax calls are referred to as "swatting." The term denotes calls that falsely report an act of violence in progress or about to occur. The resulting rapid deployment of armed law enforcement to a specific target, anticipating possible violence, has sometimes ended tragically.

While a motive has not been established/revealed for the wave of calls, it is clear they are being made in an organized, systematic manner which takes research and planning. This itself is raising particular concerns with law enforcement at all levels. Is the goal simply to spread fear in our communities, or to perhaps gauge response times and tactics?

Recommended Actions:

• Increased caution, vigilance, and situational awareness on the part of parents, school employees, and law enforcement.

• Parents should be proactively engaging with school admin and staff to understand relevant polices and procedures for such instances. Ask questions of those who hold a 'Duty of Care' responsibility.

• Always follow the guidance of responding authorities if notified of a lockdown.

• Parents should never attempt to enter a school in such situations.