Yesterday's worship at Gateway Church's Prosper campus ended abruptly when an anonymous caller made threatening statements, triggering a rapid and heavy law enforcement response and a full evacuation of the building. Officers rushed congregants outside and conducted a floor-by-floor search before declaring the campus safe. No injuries were reported, but the scare shut down the church and kicked off an active investigation.
Prosper Police, working alongside Prosper Fire Rescue and the McKinney Police Department, set up a perimeter near the church on East Prosper Trail while teams handled the evacuation and search. Officials said children were kept together and escorted to a back parking lot, where they were reunited with their parents. Town officials later announced the building would stay closed and urged residents to steer clear of the area while investigators continue their work. As reported by CBS News Texas.
Search Finds No Threats
Prosper police classified the call as a "swatting" hoax, calling it a false report meant to spark a large emergency response rather than a genuine threat. After a systematic floor-by-floor sweep, officers found no hazards and issued an all-clear for the campus. Town officials publicly thanked the McKinney Police Department and the church's security team for their help, and said they do not expect to release additional details while the investigation is still active. As reported by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth.
Why Swatting Alarms Officials
Authorities stress that swatting is far from a harmless prank. Hoax calls like this pull police, fire, and medical teams away from real emergencies and can put both first responders and the public in danger. The FBI warns that swatting incidents have led to deadly outcomes in the past and says it is working with local partners nationwide to investigate and track these schemes. Per the FBI.
What Congregants Should Know
The Town of Prosper has confirmed the building will remain closed for now, and anyone who left personal items inside will have to retrieve them later once officials give the go-ahead. A church spokesperson directed all media inquiries to Prosper Police. Investigators have not identified the caller, and the probe into where the false report came from is still ongoing. As reported by CBS News Texas.
What Happens Next
Investigators are working to trace the origin of the call and determine whether criminal charges will be filed. Prosper Police have asked anyone with potentially useful information to contact the department. For now, the Prosper campus is open only to authorized personnel while officials finish their investigation and make sure future services can resume safely. As reported by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth.
