A Chicago woman has been charged with making a fake 911 call, also known as ‘swatting’, about a man threatening to shoot his wife near Gurnee in December, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said.
Keesha S. Ingram, 41, of the 7600 block of South Prairie Avenue in Chicago, was charged with a felony count of disorderly conduct. An arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday for her arrest.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 5:15 a.m. on December 11 for a report of a man threatening to shoot his wife at a home in the 17600 block of Dawn Court in unincorporated Gurnee.
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 said on Wednesday that Ingram made the fake 911 call. “The investigation revealed Ingram was an acquaintance of the targeted victim, and showed Ingram wanted money she believed was owed by the victim,” Covelli said.
“The victim wasn’t providing payment, and in an attempt to seek revenge Ingram placed the swatting call,” Covelli added.