“Swatting” Behind Bomb Threat this Week at Burke County Middle School

The Burke County Sheriff's Office has learned more about who or what was behind a bomb threat earlier this week at Burke County Middle School.

On August 28, deputies were called to the school at 9:33 a.m. to a report of a possible bomb threat and shooter. Students, teachers, and staff were moved to the nearby high school gymnasium so the middle school could be searched. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office K9 Regional Task Force also responded to the school to assist in the search.

Investigators began tracking down leads associated with the caller. They determined the call had been made from Europe and was associated with "Swatting" calls. These calls have been reported in the United States lately.

Investigators were also able to determine that another bomb threat using the app-generated features was received the same morning at a school in Illinois.

"There is no immediate threat to any Burke County School and appropriate measures were taken to make sure all students and faculty were safe during this ordeal," according to a statement from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Swatting is a term derived from law enforcement's special weapons and tactics unit. It is the practice of deceiving an emergency service into sending a police or emergency response team to another person's address. These threats are meant to result in the evacuation of schools and businesses. Making false reports to emergency services is a criminal offense. In most jurisdictions it is often punishable by a fine or prison time.  The FBI has formed a national database to track down and prevent Swatting.