Oviedo police release 'swatting' call

Caller says he shot mother in chest with AR-15

OVIEDO, Fla. – Oviedo police on Tuesday released a "swatting" call placed by a man or teen who falsely claimed that he had shot his mother in the chest with an AR-15.

[AUDIO:  Oviedo police release 'swatting' call]

The call was made around 4 a.m. Friday to a non-emergency number of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Communications Center.  The caller, who sounded very emotional and distraught, said he was making the call from an iPod.

"Swatting" is a prank done in an attempt to get a SWAT team to respond to an incident.  It's sometimes done for revenge, according to the FBI.

Caller: I shot my mom.

Dispatcher: You what?

Caller: I shot my mom.

Dispatcher: OK.  Where did you shoot your mother at?

Caller: In the chest.  My dad, he has a licensed AR-15 in the closet, and I took it out and I shot her.

The call, later determined to be a hoax, prompted a large police response to a home on Running Springs Loop, including law enforcement officers from Oviedo police, Winter Springs police and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said the family inside the home was asleep and no one was found to be injured.  The family said they have no idea who made the call, according to officials.

Anyone who recognizes the caller's voice is urged to call the Oviedo Police Department or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.


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