In recent news, there have been reports of hoax calls made to various schools in Colorado, referencing possible shooting incidents. These calls have led to massive evacuations, lockdowns, and police investigations, causing panic and anxiety among students, parents, and educators.
This podcast episode explores the disturbing similarities between yesterday’s Colorado ‘swatting’ events and others across the country and in Canada and the possible international origin of these calls.
Here are the most recent updates from the Estes Park Police Department:
Follow up on hoax report of an active shooter
During its investigation at the Estes Park Schools, an Estes Park Police officer accidentally discharged one round into the floor at the Elementary School. No one was injured. Other officers were in the building to assist, including officers from the National Park Service and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. There were no students or School District personnel present in the school at the time of the discharge. The Police Department is reviewing its response to this call and the subsequent accidental discharge.
Hoax report of an active shooter
At approximately 9:23 a.m., the Estes Park Police Department received a report from an anonymous source that there would be an active shooter at the Estes Park High School, which is closed today due to weather. Officers responded immediately to the schools to clear the surrounding area and search the schools. The Estes Valley Community Center was briefly locked down. Officers found no evidence to substantiate the report. Similar false reports have occurred today at other schools in the Front Range. The report is still under investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Click here to read the NPR article I reference in the podcast.
Here is the chaos of an active school shooter drill that I covered here in Estes Park last year:
