Police in Seneca and Yates counties say they are investigating a series of swatting incidents that caused major disruptions late last week. Authorities confirm that false reports of mass shootings and bomb threats led to school delays, evacuations, and large-scale emergency responses.
The most visible incident occurred Friday morning at the Hampton Inn in Seneca Falls. A 911 caller claimed multiple people had been shot inside the hotel.
Officers arrived within two minutes, evacuated guests, and searched the property. No shots were fired, no one was injured, and the report was quickly confirmed to be a hoax. Seneca Falls and Waterloo schools went into precautionary lockdowns, and elementary schools started two hours late as police cleared the scene.
In Penn Yan, police say similar hoax calls have been received, including one that falsely claimed 50 people had been shot at a hotel. These incidents are part of a broader swatting trend now under investigation by state police and the FBI. The calls are difficult to trace but carry serious consequences. Under New York law, those responsible could face felony terroristic threat charges.
Seneca Falls Police Chief Timothy Snyder said swatting “creates unnecessary chaos, diverts emergency resources, and puts innocent people at risk.” Local agencies, including the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Waterloo Police, and Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, joined the Hampton Inn response.
Police urge anyone with information about these hoax calls to contact investigators. Authorities have said they will pursue charges once those responsible are identified.
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