Several Georgia colleges became the latest targets of a nationwide swatting trend Friday night, with false reports of armed shooters prompting lockdowns and emergency alerts.
The University of Georgia in Athens, the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, and Clark Atlanta University all received calls about gunmen on campus. Police quickly determined the threats were hoaxes, but not before students and staff were urged to shelter in place.
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UGA incident
At UGA, the alert system was activated at 8:51 p.m. on August 29 after a caller reported a gunman near the main library. Officers swept the area and used campus security cameras to confirm there was no threat. An all-clear was issued at 10:40 p.m.
“The initial hoax report shared similar characteristics with other swatting incidents occurring nationwide,” the university said in a statement.
UGA officials strongly condemned the false alarm, saying, “We strongly condemn hoax reports and swatting attempts. These false reports cause unnecessary fear and divert critical emergency resources. Making such a false report is not a harmless prank—it is a dangerous and unlawful act.”
UWG and Clark University also targeted
At the University of West Georgia, a text alert went out at 9:54 p.m. reporting a man with a gun near Ingram Library. Police responded immediately but found no evidence of a shooter. A university spokesperson later confirmed the reports were a hoax.
Clark Atlanta University also issued a shelter-in-place order “out of an abundance of caution” while officers investigated reports of an armed man on campus. Police later confirmed those reports were inaccurate, according to WXIA.
Hoaxes nationwide
Friday’s Georgia incidents follow a string of similar swatting hoaxes nationwide. Mercer University in Macon was targeted earlier in the week. Across the country, Villanova University in Pennsylvania, the University of Texas–San Antonio, the University of Arkansas, and the University of South Carolina have all experienced false calls about active shooters—some with recorded gunfire playing in the background.
“These incidents create waves of fear in the moment, even when they turn out to be false,” said University of Arkansas student Miceala Morano, who sheltered during a recent hoax and phoned her grandmother to say, “As of right now, I’m safe. I love you.”
FBI investigating
The FBI’s Atlanta field office confirmed it is investigating the rise in swatting calls.
“We are aware of recent swatting incidents involving a number of colleges and entities throughout the state of Georgia and are working with our law enforcement partners,” the agency said in a statement. “The FBI is seeing an increase in swatting events across the country, and we take potential hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. Knowingly providing false information to emergency service agencies about a possible threat to life drains law enforcement resources, costs thousands of dollars, and, more importantly, puts innocent people at risk.”
Law enforcement officials warn that, beyond wasting critical resources, swatting calls can have deadly consequences if officers respond believing a threat is real. There is also concern that empty threats could lead some not to take alerts seriously in the event of a real emergency.
UGA offering student and staff support
UGA said its case remains under investigation in cooperation with state and federal authorities. Anyone with information is urged to contact UGA Police at 706-542-5813.
“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our campus community,” the university said. The university is making counselors available to assist students and faculty affected by the incident.
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