LITITZ BOROUGH – The LBPD responded to a “swatting” incident that was called in to 911 on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at around 4:10 pm. This occurred at a residence which is located in the 600 Block of South Cedar Street, Lititz Borough. “Swatting” is a term commonly used to refer to making a false call to police in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of police officers to a particular address.

The initial dispatch information purported to be a male caller, claiming he just shot and killed his wife inside the home and was currently in the backyard with a shotgun, and would kill other people. Additionally, he reported his daughter was tied-up inside the home. The caller disconnected with the 911 call-taker and no other information was available.

The first arriving law enforcement units, four LBPD officers, arrived within minutes of the initial dispatch. Immediately upon arrival; on-scene officers began prioritizing and implementing on-scene critical incident protocols including; locating and containing the threat, identifying those who may be in need of medical attention, establishing on-scene command and control protocols, and other efforts related to the mitigation and stabilization of all life-safety hazards.

These efforts included immediately deploying a response team of LBPD officers directly and without delay, to the last known reported location of the armed subject. That subject was not located where he was initially reported to be, nor was he located in any area surrounding the home.

While the mitigation efforts were ongoing, a variety of incident support functions were occurring in support of a safe resolution of this incident, based on the information known at the time. This included unified command and control protocols involving the coordination of units of various public safety service functions.

Simultaneously, a team of officers arrived at the home and began making announcements to anyone inside through the utilization of a police vehicle public address system. A resident inside the home was responsive to these announcements and exited the home into the safety of awaiting officers prepared to render aid to anyone inside who needed it. This resident denied the report of the shooting and was unaware of any problem in the home.

Based on the totality of the initial on-scene and subsequent investigative efforts, including both those identified in this release and others which are not, a determination was made with confidence that this incident did not occur as reported.

Swatting, a tactic of deceiving emergency services, not only triggers a false emergency services response which takes away resources from legitimate emergencies, but also risks placing innocent people in danger. However, this does not minimize or negate the potential dangers that are realized from legitimate threat situations following a similar pattern of criminal behavior. The LBPD adopts a policy and training framework that incorporates critical elements that best-prepare the LBPD to effectively and efficiently respond to critical incidents, similar to this, had it been a legitimate threat.

The LBPD continues to investigate this incident. At this time, the identity of the caller has not been verified. As the investigation progresses, the release of updated and relevant public information will occur through the agency webpage, LititzPD.org. The LBPD appreciates the assistance provided by responding mutual aid law enforcement, Lititz Fire Company, and Warwick EMS. The LBPD also appreciates the cooperation of Lititz Borough residents who were diverted from the area for approximately 45 minutes.

It should be stressed that nobody has been injured and there is no armed subject at large. There was not, nor is there currently, any risk to the Lititz Community.

Media contact: Media@LititzPD.org.