READINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Police are investigating a “swatting” call reporting a hoax homicide in Readington Township.
On Sunday, March 9, Hunterdon County Communications received a phone call reporting a homicide at a residence on Lamington Road, according to police.
Patrol officers responded to the residence, established a perimeter, and eventually contacted the occupants of the home by phone. After all residents were evacuated, the home was cleared by police, and it was confirmed that the report was false, police said.
This type of false report is known as a “swatting” incident. Swatting involves falsely reporting an emergency to public safety authorities with the intent of provoking a “SWAT team” response when no actual emergency exists.
The origin of the false report is under investigation by Detective Wright. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Wright at (908) 534-4031, extension 366, or via email at awright@readingtonpolice.org.
