MINNEAPOLIS — More than two dozen schools and Jewish facilities across Minnesota were targeted in what authorities believe could be a coordinated "swatting" effort, according to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
A BCA news release received by KARE 11 Wednesday afternoon said at least 25 schools, and additionally, various Jewish facilities, received emails containing "bombing and shooting threats," in which officials say the "language in each threat is almost identical." Police said none of the threats were legitimate.
Swatting is a prank that involves making threats in an attempt to bring a large law enforcement presence to a particular address. Coincidentally, the alleged swatting attempts came after Bemidji students were forced to shift to e-learning Wednesday morning when authorities received a "credible threat" against the district.
At this time, the incidents have not been linked.
While the BCA said its Fusion Center is working to track the swatting reports throughout the state, the agency said it determined in its preliminary investigation that a person who was identified in the alleged threatening emails is not connected to the effort.
According to the BCA, no other states have reported a widespread swatting situation as of Wednesday evening.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.
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