Police probe swatting call at Justice Barrett’s home

Police responded to a false emergency call at the Virginia home of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Wednesday night, an incident authorities are investigating as a swatting attempt. Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department arrived at the residence at approximately 9:02 p.m. after receiving a report of possible gunshots through the department's non-emergency line.

According to police, officers immediately coordinated with Supreme Court Police personnel assigned to the justice's security detail. After speaking with security outside the home, they quickly determined the report was fictitious. No evidence of gunfire was found, and no additional police resources were utilized. Audio from police dispatch indicated that responders were aware the address was a protected location for a high-priority resident and suspected a swatting situation from the outset, as they were unable to reach the original caller.

Swatting involves making a malicious hoax call to emergency services to trigger a large-scale, often armed, police response to a specific address. The Department of Homeland Security notes the practice aims to cause chaos and can lead to a dangerous use of force...