A 911 call of a man threatening to shoot his wife in Gages Lake early Tuesday morning turned out to be a fake call, known as ‘swatting,’ the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a man threatening to shoot his wife at a home in the 17600 block of Dawn Court in Gages Lake.
A large police response was sent and authorities surrounded the house and established a perimeter. Officials made contact with a man and woman who were inside the home.
Lake County Sheriff Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that the man and woman exited the home and were interviewed by police. Authorities learned that this was actually a ‘swatting’ incident, which is a prank call that brings a large emergency response to a specific location.
“Through an interview with both individuals, Sheriff’s Deputies learned there was no domestic incident and no indication there was going to be a shooting or acts of violence,” Covelli said.
Covelli added that further investigation by police revealed a “likely source” of the fake 911 call. Officials did not release any further information but said the case remains under investigation.
In Illinois, swatting is a felony and anyone convicted faces prison time. They are also required to pay back the cost of the emergency response.