Racine County, WI – A large-scale emergency response was triggered Friday morning after a reported threat involving explosives and hostages near Highway 11 and 99th Street in the Village of Sturtevant.
According to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, the call came in around 11:21 a.m. Friday, when an individual allegedly claimed there were multiple explosives at the location, along with reports of gunfire, three people allegedly dead, and hostages being held. Dispatchers also reportedly heard screaming in the background during the call, heightening concern and urgency among first responders.
Authorities say deputies, SWAT teams, and multiple assisting agencies quickly responded and conducted an extensive search of the area and nearby businesses. Despite the alarming claims, officials reported that no victims were found and no evidence of explosives, gunfire, or any criminal activity was located.
The incident was later determined to be a false report, commonly referred to as a “swatting” call. These types of incidents involve individuals allegedly making fabricated emergency reports to prompt a large law enforcement response.
Agencies involved in the response included Racine County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Caledonia Police Department, Racine Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Kenosha Sheriff’s Office, South Shore Fire Department, and emergency medical teams from Ascension and Aurora Healthcare, both of which activated mass-casualty protocols.
Officials emphasized the seriousness of swatting incidents, noting they divert critical resources away from real emergencies and pose potential risks to both the public and responding personnel.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.
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