COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — A juvenile suspect could face major consequences after calling in dozens of bomb threats and swatting hoaxes.
Collin County Sheriff's Office announced Monday that they executed a search warrant, finding a juvenile suspect they believe to be responsible for swatting attempts and bomb threats across the country. CCSO did not give the age or name of the minor.
Authorities say the investigation started in May when a home in St. Paul, Texas, was targeted in a swatting incident.
Swatting is when someone falsely reports a crime so serious that the SWAT team shows up. Most swatting attempts are targeted at celebrities, streamers and other public figures. A handful of swatting incidents have resulted in police killing victims.
The suspect's hoaxes span across at least 10 states: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Tennessee and Wisconsin, police say. According to the release, at least 100 locations have been targeted.
Those targets include Tyler-area Brookshire's grocery stores, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and Mission ISD, who all received phony bomb threats.
The investigation was a joint effort from CCSO, Tyler Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Police say despite trying to stay hidden, the juvenile suspect was uncovered through an online investigation. CCSO says charges are pending in the case.
