A false report of an active shooter caused a major police response at Claremont McKenna College on Thursday evening. This incident followed a similar hoax that occurred just a day earlier at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, raising concerns about a trend of “swatting” calls in Southern California.
The Claremont Police Department received a call around 4:45 p.m. from someone claiming to be in a restroom on campus. The caller alleged they were holding a person captive and threatened to harm them, stating they had a bomb and a rifle. This alarming report prompted immediate action from law enforcement.
Students at the five colleges in the Claremont consortium were instructed to shelter in place as multiple agencies, including SWAT teams, responded to the scene. Officers searched Claremont McKenna College as well as nearby Pomona College and others in the area. After thorough investigations, police found no evidence of a shooter or any victims. The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 7:30 p.m.
One student, Gabe, recounted the panic he felt when he received a text about a potential shooter while working on homework. He saw SWAT teams and police outside and quickly left campus for safety.
This incident mirrors another false report made the previous evening at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital. That call also led to a significant police response, which was deemed unnecessary once the situation was resolved.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus criticized the hoax, emphasizing the strain it placed on law enforcement resources. He noted that responding to such false alarms distracts officers from real emergencies in their communities.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that swatting calls often happen in clusters and are intended to harass or intimidate individuals. In January 2024, federal agencies tracked over 100 threats across 1,000 locations in 42 states in just one month.
Despite the false nature of these threats, they evoke real fear among students and staff. Claremont McKenna College’s Dean of Students acknowledged the distressing nature of the situation in an email to students, providing resources for those affected.
Classes were canceled during the incident but are set to resume on Friday. The college has assured students that counseling services are available to help them cope with the aftermath of the scare.