Two southeast Raleigh neighborhoods got an unwanted jolt Tuesday night when police raced to separate homes on reports of brutal violence, only to find nothing had happened. Within about 20 minutes, officers were sent to two different addresses for what sounded like serious crimes. Investigators now say they believe the calls were linked and are treating both as swatting incidents.
What Happened Tuesday Night
Officers first responded around 8:16 p.m. to a reported stabbing at a home along Neiman Cove near Alder Pass, then were dispatched about 21 minutes later to a second call that was initially believed to be a homicide at a house on Haig Point Way near Grand Traverse Drive, as reported by WRAL. In both cases, the homeowners told officers there had been no stabbing or homicide at their addresses. The Raleigh Police Department said it is investigating the two back-to-back false emergency reports.
Why Swatting Matters
Swatting is the practice of making a false emergency report to trigger an armed police response. It can put residents and first responders at serious risk and tie up critical emergency resources. Federal prosecutors have pursued swatting cases in recent years and stressed that the tactic is dangerous and not a prank, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Raleigh police warned that hoax calls divert officers from real emergencies across the city.
State Law And Penalties
North Carolina law makes it a crime to willfully file a false, misleading or unfounded report to law enforcement. Such false reports are generally a Class 2 misdemeanor and can lead to jail time. The statute becomes a Class H felony if the false report involves a missing child or a child victim of certain serious felonies, and sentencing guidance shows a Class H felony can carry roughly up to 39 months in prison. See the North Carolina General Assembly and related North Carolina Courts materials for details.
Police And Neighbors React
Homeowners at both addresses told officers there had been no stabbing or homicide, and neighbors said the sudden, heavy police presence was alarming, WRAL reports. The Raleigh Police Department reiterated that swatting calls siphon manpower and can delay responses to genuine emergencies, and investigators said they are working to identify who made the false reports. No arrests had been announced as of the latest update.
Raleigh police continue to investigate the incidents and asked anyone with information to contact the department. Officers urged residents to report suspicious online activity and to call 911 only for confirmed emergencies so dispatchers and first responders can stay focused on true crises.
