Fake Emergency Call Sparks 34-Minute Lockdown at Bucks County High School, Juvenile Charged with Swatting
A brazen prank call sparked a 34-minute lockdown at Council Rock High School South in early October, leaving students and staff shaken but thankfully unharmed. The juvenile culprit behind the fake emergency report, which claimed a threat was posed to the school, has now been charged with making a false alarm to law enforcement.
The incident is part of a growing trend of swatting incidents at U.S. high schools and colleges, with several similar calls made in recent weeks at institutions across the country. Swatting, for those unfamiliar, refers to a hoax report to police intended to create a large-scale emergency response.
According to authorities, the juvenile's call was received by Bucks County Emergency Services at 1:42 p.m. on October 1st, prompting an immediate lockdown at the school and sending police from multiple surrounding jurisdictions scrambling to investigate. After conducting a sweep of the building and determining that there was no credible threat, students were sent home, and police gave the school district an all-clear.
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn condemned the juvenile's actions, stating that "the fear of a school shooting is very real" but emphasizing that it's "wholly unacceptable to allow for this type of criminal conduct to go unchecked." The DA's office did not release any further details about the charges against the juvenile.
The incident at Council Rock High School South is just the latest in a string of swatting incidents targeting U.S. institutions, including two false alarms at Villanova University in late August. Those calls sparked panic across campus, with students and parents sheltered in buildings for several hours.
Researchers have linked many of these swatting calls to members of an online group called Purgatory, which operates as part of a decentralized network that carries out false shooter reports and bomb scares in exchange for money. However, the FBI declined to comment on Purgatory's alleged involvement, citing ongoing investigations.
State lawmakers are now seeking ways to hold perpetrators accountable, with one bill proposed by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester) making swatting a felony offense and allowing courts to order reimbursement for emergency responders' costs. A similar bill has also been proposed by Rep. Tim Briggs, which would add a sentencing enhancement to terroristic threats against schools but fall short of creating a new statute.
As the nation grapples with rising concerns about school safety and domestic terrorism, the swatting incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked online activity. With no current felony law in place for swatting, prosecutors are left relying on federal authorities to pursue more serious charges – a loophole that lawmakers hope to address with new legislation.
A brazen prank call sparked a 34-minute lockdown at Council Rock High School South in early October, leaving students and staff shaken but thankfully unharmed. The juvenile culprit behind the fake emergency report, which claimed a threat was posed to the school, has now been charged with making a false alarm to law enforcement.
The incident is part of a growing trend of swatting incidents at U.S. high schools and colleges, with several similar calls made in recent weeks at institutions across the country. Swatting, for those unfamiliar, refers to a hoax report to police intended to create a large-scale emergency response.
According to authorities, the juvenile's call was received by Bucks County Emergency Services at 1:42 p.m. on October 1st, prompting an immediate lockdown at the school and sending police from multiple surrounding jurisdictions scrambling to investigate. After conducting a sweep of the building and determining that there was no credible threat, students were sent home, and police gave the school district an all-clear.
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn condemned the juvenile's actions, stating that "the fear of a school shooting is very real" but emphasizing that it's "wholly unacceptable to allow for this type of criminal conduct to go unchecked." The DA's office did not release any further details about the charges against the juvenile.
The incident at Council Rock High School South is just the latest in a string of swatting incidents targeting U.S. institutions, including two false alarms at Villanova University in late August. Those calls sparked panic across campus, with students and parents sheltered in buildings for several hours.
Researchers have linked many of these swatting calls to members of an online group called Purgatory, which operates as part of a decentralized network that carries out false shooter reports and bomb scares in exchange for money. However, the FBI declined to comment on Purgatory's alleged involvement, citing ongoing investigations.
State lawmakers are now seeking ways to hold perpetrators accountable, with one bill proposed by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester) making swatting a felony offense and allowing courts to order reimbursement for emergency responders' costs. A similar bill has also been proposed by Rep. Tim Briggs, which would add a sentencing enhancement to terroristic threats against schools but fall short of creating a new statute.
As the nation grapples with rising concerns about school safety and domestic terrorism, the swatting incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked online activity. With no current felony law in place for swatting, prosecutors are left relying on federal authorities to pursue more serious charges – a loophole that lawmakers hope to address with new legislation.
This is so messed up... like what's next? Schools shutting down because of some random prank call 
I mean, I get it, schools are supposed to be safe havens but this is just ridiculous. The fact that the kid who made the fake emergency call was only charged with making a false alarm doesn't sit well with me 
. What's wrong with our system that we can't even hold people accountable for putting innocent lives at risk? It's like, come on! We need to do better than this 
This is getting crazy!!! Who does this?! 
It's not funny anymore, it's really scary! 
And now they're charging the kid with making a false alarm... about time too! 
I'm so glad no one got hurt but still... 
These swatting calls are getting out of control and we need to do something about it! 
! It's ridiculous that someone would think it's okay to prank a whole school and put everyone's lives at risk, even if it's just for a laugh 
. I mean, what could be more serious than that? The fact that they're getting charged with making a false alarm is a good start, but what really needs to happen is some real accountability 
.
is it even worth the cost? and what does this say about us as a society that we can't even trust ourselves to be vigilant without getting taken in by some silly prank? 
I remember back in the day when we didn't have all these fancy internet things, but even then, if someone was being a jerk, we still had to deal with it. We didn't make fake emergency calls or get cops rushing around our schools.
Can't we all just get along and use our tech skills for good instead of evil? 
. 34 minutes is way too long for a fake emergency to keep everyone locked down, especially when no harm was done. It's just not worth the stress and panic it causes 
. Making up an emergency call to lock down a whole school is just not right. Can you imagine the panic and fear they must have felt? It's like, yeah, let's take the threat seriously, but also make sure we're not falling for some prankster's game 
.
. We need to make sure our first responders aren't footing the bill for these prank calls 
. I mean, can you imagine being a student in that situation? The fear must be terrifying. And now the kid who did it is getting charged for it, which is good, but still not enough - we need stricter laws against swatting! 
. It's like, if you're gonna do something stupid and put people in danger, at least have the decency to face consequences that match how reckless your actions are 
. It's like they're egging each other on or something. And the fact that some lawmakers are proposing new legislation to hold people accountable is a good start, but we need more than just that.
this swatting thing is no joke, it's a huge deal 
i mean, Council Rock High School South was locked down for 34 minutes!!! 
thats so scary and I'm so glad no one got hurt 
but like what's next? are we gonna have to worry about our schools being targeted on purpose?!?! 
. It's not funny when you're putting innocent lives at risk, kid 
. I'm all for cracking down on this nonsense with new laws and fines, but at the same time, we should also be having a conversation about online safety and how to deal with this kind of crazy behavior 
.
i'm so glad no one got hurt tho. this is just so frustrating - how can ppl be so reckless and stupid with their lives? and what's up with these swatting groups online?! cant they just chill