WATCH: A Toronto-area family has become the latest victim of a terrifying prank known as “swatting.” Heavily armed police burst into their home in the middle of the night. As Eric Sorensen reports, it was all a stupid trick that police say put the whole community in danger.
TORONTO – York Regional Police have released 911 audio from a case of “swatting” that prompted a heavy police response at a Toronto-area home over the weekend.
In the recording, the unknown caller tells the dispatcher that his father had an assault rifle and had shot his mother.
Caller: “He’s gone crazy. He’s got his gun out.”
Dispatcher: “What is that? What is that?”
Caller: “He’s shooting his gun.”
Dispatcher: “He’s shooting his gun? Who’s he shooting it at?”
Caller: “I don’t know. I’m hiding. Oh my God.”
Dispatcher: “Where are you hiding? Where are you hiding? Are you in the house?”
Caller: “I’m in the closet. Oh my God. Oh my God.”
Dispatcher: “Who’s at home with you?”
Caller: “My mom.”
Dispatcher: “Where’s your mom?”
Dispatcher: “You think your father shot your mom?”
Caller: “I think so.”
LISTEN: 911 audio of swatting call in Richmond Hill
Heavily armed officers arrived on scene at the Richmond Hill residence north of Toronto around 6 a.m. Sunday and forced their way into the home.
Once inside, police say they located two adults and two children. Homeowner Vincent Yan was handcuffed and taken into custody.
READ MORE: The rich Canadian history of ‘swatting’
Police quickly determined the 911 call was indeed a hoax – a situation known as “swatting.”
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The dangerous act is named after police SWAT units which tricks dispatchers into believing a serious crime or emergency is taking place.
“Fake calls to 9-1-1 are not only resource intensive, but traumatic for all involved, from the family who had their door broken down, to the call-taker who took the 9-1-1 call, all the way through to the frontline officers who were responding to what they believed was an active shooter,” said York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe in a media release.
It is alleged that someone had hacked Yan’s phone line when the distress call was made.
READ MORE: Home insurance, perpetrators could be forced to pay for swatting damages
Police are investigating the hoax and whoever is behind the prank could face serious charges.
Global News has learned York Regional Police will pay for damage done to the Richmond Hill home due to the hoax.
With files from Natalie van Rooy and Lama Nicolas
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