San Diego teen arrested in bomb threats, is linked to ‘swatting’ ring
A San Diego teenager was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of making hoax bomb threats as part of an online gaming group that made similar threats in five states and Canada, police said.
The teen, whose name was not released, was arrested in connection with three threats made against Point Loma High School in April, police said.
He has been linked to a group responsible for such “swatting” incidents in Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Texas, Illinois and Ontario, Canada, said Lt. James Keck. “Swatting” means making a false report to prompt an emergency response by a SWAT team.
Hoax threats “result in the costly deployment of emergency response resources, including specialized personnel and equipment,” Keck said.
The teen was taken to Juvenile Hall, he said, and additional arrests may be made.
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