Police say report of shots fired in Chula Vista likely a case of swatting

Chula Vista police determined Tuesday that a shots fired call was a hoax, but only after closing down part of Fourth Avenue.

At 10:48 a.m., the department received a call reporting a possible shooting at an apartment in the 100 block of Fourth. Patrols responded, supported by Chula Vista’s Drone as First Responder program, officials said in a news release.

Police issued alerts on social media warning those nearby to avoid the area and residents to shelter in place, while also shutting down traffic on Fourth.

Officers, meanwhile, contacted the occupants of the residence named in the initial call and determined they were “safe and uninvolved.”

As the incident unfolded, officials said they came to realize that the call may be a case of “swatting” – in which pranksters phone in false reports to authorities. The case has been turned over to investigators for follow-up.

The department warned that swatting calls and other hoaxes “require significant police resources that would otherwise be available for actual emergencies and community services” and asked anyone with information to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or submit an anonymous tip via P3tips.