Late-Night Bomb Threat Call Triggers Evacuation of Garfield Apartment Building as Police Probe Possible Swatting Case
A late-night emergency call prompted a major police response in Garfield, New Jersey, after a caller claimed to have a bomb and threatened to shoot anyone who approached the residence, authorities said.
According to Garfield police, the incident unfolded around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday at a multifamily apartment building located on Spencer Place. The caller reportedly told a 911 dispatcher that he possessed both a firearm and an explosive device and intended to use them against anyone who came near him.
The alarming report led officers to immediately respond to the location to assess the potential threat and protect residents in the area. However, when police arrived at the apartment building, they found no signs of an active emergency. Authorities said nothing unusual appeared to be taking place inside the residence, and there was no immediate indication that anyone was in danger.
Even so, officers treated the situation with caution due to the seriousness of the threat. Residents of the building were evacuated while police conducted a thorough search of the property. Investigators carefully inspected the location in an effort to determine whether any explosives, firearms, or other evidence connected to the reported threat could be found.
After completing the sweep, officers reported that they did not locate any explosive device, firearm, or evidence suggesting a credible threat existed at the scene. The search results helped ease concerns that the building and its residents were facing an immediate danger.
As part of standard safety procedures, the Bergen County Regional Bomb Squad was notified and placed on standby while the situation was being evaluated. However, after local officers completed their search and determined there was no evidence supporting the bomb threat, the bomb squad response was canceled.
During the investigation, officers spoke with a resident of the building who regularly streams content on Twitch. The resident told police that someone may have obtained personal information through his online broadcasting activities and used that information to place a false emergency report.
Investigators are now examining the possibility that the incident was a swatting case. Swatting involves making a false emergency call designed to trigger a large law enforcement response to an unsuspecting person’s home or location. Such incidents can place residents, emergency responders, and surrounding communities at risk.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the call and are seeking information that may help identify the person responsible. Authorities are asking anyone with relevant information about the incident to contact the Garfield Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to determine the origin of the call and whether criminal charges may be pursued against those involved.
Sources
- Garfield Police Department
- Bergen County Regional Bomb Squad
- Statements provided by Garfield Police Captain Mario X. Pozo
