Swatting Call in Estherville

Estherville, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Estherville Police Chief Brent Shatto says his office is the latest to receive what is called a “Swatting” call. A call from a yet-unknown person falsely reported a double homicide Monday afternoon around 4:30. Estherville police and the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department responded to the address in the 300 block of North 15th Street and quickly determined it was a hoax.

Shatto says the calls put both law enforcement and residents in danger as the officers arrive on the scene expecting a violent crime. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and FBI have been contacted to help find the person that initiated the fake report.