A fake report of a man who had shot his wife and was holding a child hostage prompted a heavy police response in a neighborhood in Bull Valley.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 7200 block of Millburne Court in Bull Valley.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Communication Specialist Emily Baker said a call was placed to a veteran crisis hotline by a man.
The caller reported he had shot his wife and was holding his daughter hostage, Baker said.
The sheriff’s office issued a public alert around 10:45 p.m. warning residents in the area of Bull Valley Road and Draper Road about the heavy police activity.
Residents and motorists were asked to avoid the area during the incident.
Sheriff’s deputies converged on the residence and set up a perimeter while monitoring the home for movement. A command post was also set up nearby.
Baker said contact was eventually made with the occupants of the home.
Deputies learned that the information provided to the hotline was false and it was a “swatting incident,” Baker said.
Sheriff’s deputies left the area by around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday.