Police officers flood Hermosa Beach neighborhood after report of shots fired
A report of shots fired and an armed gunman in a Hermosa Beach neighborhood turned out to be hoax, police said Wednesday.
South Bay police departments including SWAT officers had converged in the neighborhood after receiving a call about a murdered family in the area of 31st Street and Manhattan Avenue shortly before 3 p.m., Hermosa Beach police Sgt. Robert Higgins said.
But the report was a hoax known as swatting.
Officers are now investigating the call, which was initially untraceable, he said.
Swatters often target high-profile celebrities and social media stars. The anonymous prank callers notify police of a phony crime at the victim’s home address and phone number.
Such calls trigger tactical responses from police that waste resources and could cause harm.
For SoCal crime & investigations follow me on Twitter @lacrimes.
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