The Storm Lake Police Department responded to what turned out to be a fake report of a shooting over the weekend.
A news release says the “swatting” incident occurred shortly before 7pm Saturday at 120 Highway Street. The Buena Vista County Communications Center received a report from a caller claiming that there was a shooting and an individual who was armed and barricaded. Responding officers secured a perimeter around the apartment complex and began to evacuate the area. The Storm Lake Police Department Entry Team responded, and the scene was cleared around 9pm with help from partnering agencies. The apartment alleged to be connected to the incident was found to be unoccupied, and there was no evidence of a reported crime.
Following an investigation, police allege the incident to be a hoax with no public safety risk. The investigation is ongoing. The Storm Lake Police Department was assisted by the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office, Storm Lake Fire Department, and Iowa State Patrol.