GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Schools across Wisconsin, and the nation, have received false reports about school shootings. Authorities have deemed all of these reports to be a hoax and appear to be cases of so-called "swatting," which the FBI is investigating.
The Green Bay Police Department confirmed Thursday that a report of an active shooter at East High School was a hoax.
Officers were dispatched to the school at approximately 10:04 a.m. for a report of an active shooter inside the school and 15 students shot. Upon entering the school, no evidence was found of an active shooter, or anyone injured.
These false threats have occurred at multiple schools Thursday across Wisconsin. Sheboygan Police said they are investigating a "non-credible threat" made to the dispatch center and said schools are aware and operating normally. The Oshkosh Police Department investigated the report of an incident at South Park Middle School involving a weapon, which police said was determined to be a swatting incident. There was also a reported false call at Roncalli High School in Manitowoc.
Two Rivers Police said Thursday afternoon that Two Rivers High School also received a swatting call. Police said these similar calls with the same information were made throughout the state at or around the same time.
Appears to be a horible hoax today as multiple reports of active shooters at several school districts all over. Our members and law enforcement responding and have not located any shooters or victims at any schools at this time. #Wisconsin
— Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (@PFFW) October 20, 2022
The FBI released a statement on the numerous hoax threats:
“The FBI is aware of the numerous swatting incidents wherein a report of an active shooter at a school is made. The FBI takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.”
According to NBC 26's Milwaukee affiliate, school districts across Southeast Wisconsin and Milwaukee also received what appeared to be false threats of school shootings.
Local police departments near those schools report no evidence showing an active shooting threat. The false reporting of such incidents is commonly described by authorities as "swatting."
Local police departments across the country reported in the past they believe similar hoaxes came from foreign countries, according to an NPR report.
Charges for a hoax threat for juveniles and adults can range from disorderly conduct (which could include jail time) to making a terrorist threat, a felony that could result in jail time, fines up to $25,000, to removing the ability to own a gun for the rest of your life.
Making a hoax threat over social media, text messages, or e-mail is a federal crime. Those who post or send these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison, or they can face state or local charges. It's not a joke! #ThinkBeforeYouPost pic.twitter.com/DPurmbaLXw
— FBI Milwaukee (@FBIMilwaukee) October 20, 2022
