Swatting incident caused by false active shooter report in Ephrata
A false report of an active shooter at the Walmart store in Ephrata caused concern in the community, but eventually turned out to be a swatting incident.
R. HANS MILLER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
EPHRATA — A report of an active shooter at the Ephrata Walmart was false according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and was the result of swatting — a practice of reporting a fake emergency to authorities to get a reaction, often to harass those at the location the false incident was reported to have occurred.
“There is no active shooter at the Ephrata Walmart, a false report (swatting) happened and caused the rumor to grow,” an announcement from GCSO said. “Again, no active shooter at Ephrata Walmart. Other regional Walmarts are also not under fire.”
While the report turned out to be false, Ephrata School District Director of Communications Sarah Morford said the school district had secured campuses as a precaution to keep students and staff safe.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Columbia Ridge Elementary, Ephrata Middle School and Tiger Cub Preschool have been placed into "Secure the Building" protocol. All students are safe. Students will be kept inside and learning will continue as usual,” a statement from the district said when the false report was first made.
Morford said the campuses were back to business as usual as of 1:20 p.m.
In Washington, falsely reporting a crime such as in a swatting incident is covered by RCW 9A.84.040 and defines swatting as a felony in cases similar to the situation in Ephrata on Wednesday afternoon.
The Columbia Basin Herald has reached out to management at the Ephrata Walmart and will update this story with any response once it is provided.