Madison Schools “Swatted” With Fake Calls Tuesday

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Some Madison schools were swatted Tuesday morning, the day after the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. 

Officials from the Madison Metropolitan School District sent an email to families saying some schools got calls reporting there was a person outside the building in crisis, and they had a weapon. The caller ID made it look like the call was from 988, the suicide crisis lifeline. 

According to the district, staff immediately called police. Investigators found all the calls to be hoaxes. Some schools were placed on secure holds while officers investigated. 

District officials said these were cases of swatting, where people call and report a dangerous situation that doesn’t exist. Those calls can come from anywhere; often they’re from outside the state, and can even be from outside the United States. 

Staff said swatting is becoming more common after tragedies.