Olds RCMP say an incident last November in which they surrounded a home with their guns drawn is being investigated with the help of U.S. law enforcement. "There has been a guy identified in the U.S.
Olds RCMP say an incident last November in which they surrounded a home with their guns drawn is being investigated with the help of U.S. law enforcement.
"There has been a guy identified in the U.S. and we are liaising with our American counterparts," Cpl. Michael Black says.
However, when asked by email if the matter is being investigated as a swatting incident, Black did not reply.
"Swatting" is when a call is made to 911 or to police claiming that a major incident -- often violent, even involving hostages -- is happening at a certain place. Police usually respond by sending groups of officers often referred to as SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams.
On Nov. 12 at about 4 p.m., RCMP converged on a home on 51st Street with guns drawn.
More than five police vehicles and police officers with guns could be seen at various locations on 51st Street near 52nd Avenue, in the alley between 51st Street and 50th Street as well as along 52nd Avenue. At least one ambulance was stationed along 50th Street near 52nd Avenue. RCMP told residents along 51st Street in the area to stay in their basements.
Police later described the matter as a hoax.
On Dec. 22, an incident suspected to be swatting took place in Calgary, after a man called 911 saying he had shot his father and was holding his mother and younger brother hostage.
The report turned out to be false.
Fortunately in that incident, no one was hurt.
However, a man was killed by police when they responded to an apparent swatting incident in Kansas.
A Los Angeles man, Tyler Raj Barriss, 25, faces charges in connection with the Kansas matter. Calgary police are now charging him in connection with the matter in that city.
Cpl. Black was asked if Barriss is believed to be behind the Olds incident.
"I don't believe it is the same person," he said in an email.
