Executive Summary
- Highlands, N.C. was placed on lockdown following a false report of an active shooter and explosives.
- The 911 caller targeted the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation and threatened specific staff members.
- Mayor Patrick Taylor indicated the perpetrator used sophisticated technology, including accessing town cameras to taunt police.
- Law enforcement confirmed the event was a “swatting” hoax and have cleared the area.
HIGHLANDS, N.C. — Authorities in western North Carolina placed the town of Highlands on high alert and initiated a lockdown on Thursday, Dec. 11, following a reported active shooter threat that was subsequently determined to be a sophisticated hoax. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the source of the distress call which targeted a local religious institution.
According to the Highlands Police Department, the incident began around 10:40 a.m. when dispatchers received a 911 call from an individual claiming to possess a firearm and an explosive device. The caller specifically threatened to enter the Church of the Incarnation on Main Street to shoot a staff member, making graphic claims regarding their intentions.
Mayor Patrick Taylor stated that the incident went beyond a typical prank call, describing the perpetrator’s methods as technologically advanced. Taylor reported that the caller successfully blocked their location data and allegedly accessed a town surveillance camera to monitor the police response. Officials noted that the suspect taunted authorities during the operation, claiming they could see the officers’ movements in real-time.
The threat prompted an immediate lockdown of the church, a nearby daycare, and various businesses throughout the town. Zakary Balsamo, an employee at a local pizza shop, told reporters that instructions were issued to secure all entrances immediately upon receiving the alert. Several hours later, following a comprehensive sweep of the area by the Highlands Police Department and assisting agencies, the threat was deemed a “swatting” incident—a criminal act designed to deceive emergency services into sending a heavy police response to a specific location.
Investigative Outlook
This incident highlights the escalating complexity of “swatting” attacks, particularly those involving the compromise of municipal surveillance infrastructure. The integration of real-time surveillance hacking into a false emergency report represents a significant escalation in tactical sophistication, complicating the investigative process for local and federal authorities. As the investigation continues, law enforcement will likely focus on digital forensics to trace the origin of the call and the unauthorized access to town cameras. Swatting is a serious crime that drains public resources and places communities at risk; perpetrators can face severe federal and state charges upon apprehension.
