A recent trend of swatting was felt in Clinton on Friday afternoon.

Just before 2:45 p.m. on Friday,  the Clinton Police Department received an emergency call of a violent act in progress at a Clinton residence creating an emergency response from local law enforcement and emergency responders. 

The ensuing response concluded the circumstances to be deemed unfounded and further investigation into the details of the call led authorities to conclude this was a swatting incident. 

The term “swatting” refers to a criminal harassment tactic of deceiving an emergency service - via such means as hoaxing an emergency services dispatcher - into sending a police or emergency service response team to another person's address, school, or business. 

This is triggered by false reporting of a serious law enforcement emergency, such as a bomb threat, murder, or hostage situation, or a false report of a mental health emergency, such as reporting that a person is allegedly suicidal or homicidal and may or may not be armed, among other things. 

Clinton Police were assisted by the Dewitt County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police. 

Chief Ben Lowers in a statement Friday said “This trend is an extremely dangerous and sometimes life-endangering prank that places first responders and the general public at great risk. We are thankful for the outcome in this matter and extremely grateful for the outpouring of support and prompt response from the assisting agencies.”

Clinton schools delayed the release of students following the school day for about 20 minutes on Friday due to the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and no other information will be released at this time.