Police investigating Disneyland mass shooting hoax

ANAHEIM – Anaheim police Thursday are investigating who made a swatting call that prompted a large police response at Disneyland.

The hoax coincided with the heightened alert for California law enforcement because of FBI warnings about the possibility of Iran attacking the West Coast.

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Officers from the Anaheim Police Department arrived at the theme park at approximately 9:45 p.m. Wednesday to investigate after receiving calls about a possible mass shooting and bomb threats, according to the Anaheim Police Department.

The threats were unfounded, Anaheim Police Department Sgt. Matt Sutter told City News Service.

He said investigators determined quickly that the threat was not credible and the response was complete within 45 minutes, Sutter said.

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The situation was handled by officers on duty, he said.

“We’ve had these at schools, residences,” Sutter said. “It’s a real waste of resources.”

Each incident prompts an immediate response by officers, sometimes with a lockdown or shelter-in-place order as investigators work to secure the scene and find out if an actual threat exists.

In any case, swatting is illegal, a state and federal crime, and a perpetrator can be charged with reporting a false emergency, the sergeant said.

“Knock on wood, they’ve all been unfounded,” he said.

Anaheim police are well aware of what’s going on in the world, he said.

“We are always vigilant, especially around potential target areas,” Sutter said.

Video and broadcast reports show at least a dozen Anaheim Police Department patrol cruisers staged on Disneyland grounds after authorities received the swatting call. (CNS)

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