ATLANTA — More Georgia lawmakers appear to have been targeted in what has been described as "swatting" incidents on Christmas Day and the days after. Several lawmakers have said they've experienced false crimes reported from their homes, prompting a police response. Agencies have said they are looking into the origins of the calls.
Who was 'swatted'?
US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green reported on social media that her Rome home was allegedly "swatted" for the eighth time overall on Christmas Day.
Greene said her family was home for the holidays when the incident occurred. The Republican congresswoman represents the congressional district, including Rome, Calhoun, and Dalton.
A Rome Police Department spokesperson said that someone in Rome, New York, made an emergency call at the same time the department received an emergency call that pinged to Greene's home in Georgia's 14th District.
State Sen. Clint Dixon
On the day after Christmas, Gwinnett County Police confirmed they responded to a hoax hostage situation on the same day at the home of Republican Sen. Clint Dixon.
"It’s unfortunate how far some will stoop to target others. Thankfully, my family and I are safe, and we appreciate our local law enforcement. These threats will not stop me from serving the people of this great state. I plan to address this issue in our next legislative session," the senator said in a Facebook post. "This isn't a right or left issue. It's an issue of public safety and those who participate in swatting should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
Gwinnett County Police confirmed that the SWAT team was never activated but a police report was filed.
State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick
On Wednesday, Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of Marietta said she was the victim of a similar incident on Christmas Day.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the law enforcement officers who responded swiftly to a false alarm at our home on Christmas Day. My husband and I were at home, enjoying a quiet holiday, when we received a call from a concerned neighbor informing us that three armed officers were outside our kitchen, responding to a reported hostage situation. To our shock, we had no prior knowledge of any emergency dispatch to our residence."
11Alive reached out to Cobb County Police for a statement, which confirmed they responded to the alleged incident.
State Sen. John Albers
Roswell police confirmed they responded to a swatting call at Albers' home on Tuesday, Dec. 26, after a caller allegedly threatened to shoot during a domestic dispute. Officers who responded "were able to very quickly determine the call was a hoax," a police spokesperson said. 11Alive reached out to Albers for a comment on the situation, who said his son was home at the time the call was placed and police responded.
State Sen. Kim Jackson
The Democratic state senator said her DeKalb County home was also "swatted" on the day after Christmas and said the troubling calls are not "a partisan issue."
"This is much more complex that [sic] R vs. D's," she wrote on the platform X.
Jackson said her wife and 2-year-old son have since "resumed celebrating our first holiday together as a new family" and added that she was grateful to both the DeKalb County police chief and sheriff for their "responsiveness" to the situation.
Property owned by U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock
On Wednesday, Dec. 27, Atlanta police also responded to a home in the Ormwood Park neighborhood in Atlanta, in the same area as Zoo Atlanta, around 9:30 p.m. Public records showed that the address officers went to is a property that is listed under Sen. Warnock's name. Police said that while officers were responding to the address, "the call does not appear to be a legitimate 911 call."
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
Jones claimed his house was swatted on Dec. 27, and then Thursday morning, his office was the target of a bomb threat. Jones, in a statement posted on X, said everyone is safe, but added that he would not be "intimidated by those attempting to silence me."
"We will put an end to this madness," he wrote. "I am confident that those responsible will be brought to justice and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
What is 'swatting'?
According to multiple definitions, "swatting" happens when someone makes a false report to emergency services under the pretext that a crime is being committed or someone is being held hostage to try and prompt a massive police response to a particular address.
It is punishable by federal law under the "Interstate Swatting Hoax Act," which was passed by Congress in 2015. Those who violate the law could face prison time ranging from five years up to life in prison, depending on the severity of the circumstances, including whether any injuries or deaths happen.
Response from investigators, lawmakers
In a statement to 11Alive, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it was investigating "some" of the calls alongside local law enforcement. Meanwhile, the FBI said it is taking the threats "very seriously" and is working with local agencies to gather information.
"We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately," a spokesperson told 11Alive, while pointing to one successful investigation that led to charges against a person accused of making threats against Rep. Greene.
Online, Attorney General Chris Carr echoed, calling the fake crime reports "detestable."
"Regardless of whether the targets are public officials, private citizens, Republicans or Democrats, these are not harmless pranks," he wrote. "They are dangerous crimes that could result in serious injury to all involved."
It's a sentiment Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones shared, classifying the series of fake calls "dangerous and cowardly" on the platform X and calling for them to end immediately. He added he would work with the Georgia Senate to strengthen the state's laws to prosecute swatting suspects "to the fullest extent of the law."