Chief John Dunn reports that the Hull Police Department is actively investigating after a large police response was summoned by a hoax 911 call reporting an act of violence.
At approximately 9:50 p.m. on Friday, April 1, Hull Police received a 911 call during which a caller told dispatchers that they had murdered their mother and father and were refusing to come out of a home on Nantasket Avenue.
Out of an abundance of caution, and following established policies and procedures, a police, fire and emergency medical response ensued, including a summoning of mutual aid from the Hingham, Cohasset, Norwell and Scituate police departments.
A reverse 911 call was sent out to residents to notify them to shelter in place and avoid the area. Nantasket Avenue was temporarily closed while police responded.
Upon arrival, an initial investigation revealed that the residents of the home were inside. Police were able to enter the home and confirm that it was secure and that no one was injured.
Police soon determined that the call was a hoax. Police made a sweep of the area and subsequently allowed residents to return home.
The shelter in place was lifted at approximately 11 p.m.
The incident is being investigated by the Hull Police Department as an act of “swatting,” which according to Oxford Language is “the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.” The phrase entered the dictionary in 2015 and has been recognized as a criminal phenomenon by the FBI since at least 2008.
At this time, the call is not believed to have originated from any persons from or with ties to Hull.
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