January 29, 2024, News Release

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA – The Albemarle County Police Department is investigating three incidents of suspected “swatting” calls that occurred within the county between Friday, January 26, and Monday, January 29, 2024.

On Friday, January 26, and Sunday, January 28, the Emergency Communications Center received reports of a suicidal juvenile in the 1200 block of Timberwood Boulevard. ACPD and career and volunteer units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue responded to the area and, after an investigation, found nothing on scene that matched information reported.

The latest incident occurred at approximately 9:40 am on Monday, January 29, when a report came into ECC that there was an injured and suicidal juvenile in the 3300 block of Rodman Drive. ACPD and ACFR again immediately responded to the area and discovered that the report was unfounded.

Based on current evidence, ACPD is investigating these incidents as suspected “swatting.” “Swatting” is the criminal act of making fraudulent reports of serious criminal threats or violent situations with the specific intention of tricking law enforcement into responding to a home or business of somebody who is not actually committing a crime or endangered.

While no one was injured during these incidents, ACPD would like to remind the community of the dangers of “swatting.”

“Swatting is an irresponsible act that poses significant risks to everybody involved and places an undue burden on law enforcement resources. As a community, we must condemn and address swatting with the seriousness it deserves and recognize the profound dangers it poses to public safety and community well-being. Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact ACPD,” said Captain Darrell Byers, Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.

Anyone with information on these incidents may contact Albemarle County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 434-296-5807 or, for those who wish to remain anonymous, CrimeStoppers at 434-977-4000.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Under Virginia law, a fake report of an emergency in which there is emergency response could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine. ACPD maintains positive working relationships with its state and federal partners and will work with them to prosecute these cases.