The Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) ongoing investigation into Monday’s threatening
phone call to Chestatee High School (CHS) has determined the call likely was a swatting incident. Investigators with the agency’s Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) have been able to
identify the number used in the threat, and they have determined it was not a local number.
Similar tactics have been used in other swatting incidents, not just in Georgia, but also
across the country.
Swatting is the practice of making a prank call in an attempt to force the
dispatch of a large number of emergency personnel to a specific address.
During the course of Monday afternoon’s phone call, the male caller indicated explosives
had been placed around the CHS campus. The caller also threatened to harm students and
staff as they exited the building.
A thorough search of the property determined there were no explosives in the area, nor was there a threat to persons inside or outside the school building.
CIB investigators continue their work to locate the person responsible for making the call.
HALL CO. SCHOOL DISTRICT’S (HCSD) RESPONSE:
“I am incredibly proud of our students, the team at Chestatee, and local law enforcement,” said
Superintendent Will Schofield. “The district is also offering a $5,000 reward for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this heinous crime.”
Individuals with any information regarding who is responsible, should contact the Hall County
Sheriff’s Office.