DOJ Alert: Hoax Active Shooter Calls Being Made Across Montana

Law enforcement has responded to hoax calls about an active shooter in multiple parts of the state. There has been no evidence of an active shooter and no actual threats found. The calls have been made to dispatchers in Billings, Colstrip, Forsyth, Manhattan, Miles City, Red Lodge, and Cascade and Madison counties.

“This is likely an orchestrated hoax tactic called swatting,” Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator Bryan Lockerby said. “We are assisting with the coordination of these incoming threats to further the investigation and identify the source of the calls.”

According to the Valley County Sheriff’s Department some reports have stated the active shooter is at a school while some are saying just an active shooter with no location given. Law enforcement has responded to these calls and there have been no active shooters located.

As of press time, Valley County has not received any calls of this nature but are closely monitoring the situation across the state.

Similar series of hoax calls have also been reported recently in other states including South Dakota and Oklahoma.