(KIWA Staff Photo)
Canton, South Dakota — A scary situation in Canton turned out to be a dangerous hoax yesterday, but local officers proved just how quickly they can react in a crisis.
Canton Police officers rushed into a home in under two minutes after a caller claimed to have killed their family—only to discover the call was a fake emergency known as “swatting.” “Swatting is a hoax call, meant to trigger a heavy police response.
The caller, who remains unknown, said they were still armed when they made the call.
While the call ultimately proved to be false, Canton Police command staff say their officers had no way of knowing that when the call came in. The information provided required an immediate and serious response, and they say their officers responded accordingly.
In a social media post, Canton Police said they wanted to highlight the speed, professionalism, and preparedness demonstrated by their officers during the incident. In a situation where every second mattered, they say their officer went from being dispatched to entering the residence in less than a minute and 55 seconds.
They also advise that swatting is not a harmless prank. These calls unnecessarily place innocent people and law enforcement officers in potentially life-threatening situations and divert valuable emergency resources.
Canton Police officials say they are proud of the quick and professional response demonstrated by their officers and grateful for the cooperation and assistance of everyone involved.
At last report, Canton police said the investigation remained ongoing, and they were continuing to work with their law enforcement partners to identify and trace the source of the call.
