When the Alarms Cry Wolf: It's More Than A Hoax

Emily Cook
4 hours ago
3 min read

A Surge in School and Campus Panic from #Swatting.

What’s Going On Across U.S. Campuses

This fall, the return to college life didn’t just bring new syllabi and move-in chaos—it brought a wave of false active shooter alerts that plunged campuses into lockdown and anxiety.

University of Arkansas issued a shooter alert at its Mullins Library, sending law enforcement scrambling — but found zero evidence of any threat.
University of South Carolina declared an all-clear after an unconfirmed report led to minor evacuation-related injuries.
Villanova University experienced two false reports in one week — including one during student orientation that sparked widespread panic.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and others across the country faced similar 911 hoaxes.

In just two weeks, at least nine universities nationwide — including UNH, UC Boulder, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Northern Arizona — have faced these so-called “swatting calls.”

This isn’t Just Panic—it’s Trauma

These aren’t harmless pranks. Repeated false alarms:

Shatter trust in emergency systems
Fuel burnout and psychological strain on students and staff
Risk desensitizing communities when real threats arise

Every false call drains resources, spreads fear, and leaves scars — even after the “all clear.”

What is “Swatting”? Why is it so dangerous?

Swatting is the criminal act of making a fake emergency call — like an active shooter or bomb threat — with the intent of triggering a heavy SWAT or tactical police response.

It may sound like a modern prank, but it can — and has — turned deadly:

In 2017, a swatting hoax in Wichita, Kansas, resulted in the fatal shooting of an innocent man, Andrew Finch.
In 2020, a swatting call led to a grandfather’s fatal heart attack — all over a Twitter handle.
Public officials, judges, and even houses of worship have been targeted.

And it’s not slowing down. In June 2025, a Romanian national pleaded guilty to running a cross-border swatting ring targeting U.S. institutions. He faces up to 15 years in prison. States like Michigan are now introducing laws making swatting a felony offense with even harsher penalties if anyone is injured.

Swatting isn’t funny. It’s dangerous, illegal, and has life-or-death consequences.

How to prepare yourself + your Family

While this wave is hitting colleges first, copycat behavior spreads fast — and we know from history that TikTok-fueled trends can cross into workplaces, public schools, and beyond.

Here’s how to protect yourself and your family:

Stay Aware: Practice situational awareness daily. Know exits, protocols, and where to get credible updates.
Don’t Dismiss Alerts: Treat every emergency alert as real until law enforcement confirms otherwise.
Know Procedures: Review your workplace or school’s emergency response plan.
Practice the OODA Loop: Observe. Orient. Decide. Act. Build habits now so you don’t freeze when it matters.

Preparedness isn’t about living in fear — it’s about building confidence in your ability to respond.

How to Talk to your kids

Kids and teens may not fully understand the severe consequences of getting caught up in these trends — or how much damage a single phone call can cause.

Explain Swatting Simply: Make sure they know it’s not a “prank,” but a crime that can result in felony charges, lawsuits, or even someone’s death.
Connect Actions to Consequences: Use real examples (like Wichita 2017) to show how one false call can destroy lives.
Stress Empathy: Remind them that every false alarm causes trauma for students, teachers, and families.
Empower, Don’t Scare: Teach them to recognize suspicious behavior online and to walk away from “challenges” that seem dangerous.

As with so many online “trends,” education at home can be the first line of defense.

Final Take: What Can We DO?

False alarms aren’t harmless. They disrupt lives, waste resources, and put people in danger. When a safety system becomes a source of anxiety itself, it’s time for stronger protocols, smarter enforcement, and proactive awareness training.

At P3 Training Group, we believe preparedness is the antidote to fear. When individuals and organizations know how to respond, they’re less likely to freeze — and better equipped to protect themselves and others.

Swatting isn’t a game. It’s a crime. And the more we talk about it now, the better prepared we’ll all be when the next call comes in.