'Something needs to be done': Internet worried as Senator Rick Scott's home gets 'swatted' during dinner

NAPLES, FLORIDA: US Senator Rick Scott of Florida became a victim of "swatting" on the night of Wednesday, December 27, marking yet another instance of this malicious prank on public figures.

Senator Scott shared the unsettling experience on X and tweeted, “Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards ‘swatted’ my home in Naples." The term "swatting" refers to a deceitful call made to authorities, intending to draw SWAT teams and other resources to a fabricated emergency.

Sen. Rick Scott becomes latest victim of 'swatting'

Expressing his gratitude for the swift response from the Naples Police Department and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Senator Rick Scott remarked, “These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family.”

Lt Bryan McGinn, spokesperson for the Naples police, shed light on the evolving nature of swatting. The department received a call about a shooting on its nonemergency line at around 9 pm on Wednesday. Within 15 minutes, they confirmed it was a swatting event.

McGinn said an active investigation into the incident was underway while citing the use of spoofing techniques and digitized voices as tools to deceive dispatchers.

“People are utilizing spoofing techniques and things like that to change their phone numbers,” he said.

“Apps and programs are more available, readily to digitize voices so people can hide and shield their voice from law enforcement when they’re communicating with dispatchers and things of that nature,” he added.

"The investigation is ongoing, and although swatting is not a new threat, it is evolving, and it is unclear if any of these new tactics were used in this case," McGinn stated.

The swatting call associated with Scott’s incident reported a false shooting with an AR-15. However, a subsequent search found no signs of forced entry or any incidents as described. McGinn highlighted the need for vigilance as perpetrators increasingly employ sophisticated tactics.

Internet concerned over Rick Scott's home being 'swatted'

Social media platforms were inundated with reactions to Scott's post, reflecting public concern about the growing threat of swatting.

"Maybe something needs to be done about it senator. Maybe a 15-year mandatory sentence for attempted murder?" one responded on X.

"Here we go again. When will it stop? Someone's going to be killed...," another wrote.

"Swatting should be treated like attempted murder," someone else suggested.

"Why does this coordinated, multi-state, politically-targeted terrorism against conservatives not warrant a massive federal law enforcement response?" another wondered.

Multiple Republicans targeted

Similarly, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, found herself targeted on Christmas Day in what marked her eighth swatting incident.

Sharing her ordeal on X, Greene said, “I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here. My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this. I appreciate them so much and my family and I are in joyous spirits celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!”

Major Rodney Bailey of the Rome, Georgia, police department disclosed that a caller from Rome, New York, falsely claimed there was a shooting at Greene’s address, even threatening suicide. Swift police's action and coordination with Greene’s security team averted a potentially dangerous situation.

Notably, this spate of swatting incidents extended beyond Florida and Georgia. Republican Representative Brandon Williams of New York also fell victim to a swatting incident on Christmas Day. Williams expressed gratitude to law enforcement officers who responded to the call on X.

“Our home was swatted this afternoon. Thanks to the Deputies and Troopers who contacted me before arriving. They left with homemade cookies and spiced nuts! Merry Christmas everyone!” Williams posted on X.

Authorities from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s office confirmed their response, along with New York state police, to a reported confessed shooting incident at Williams’s home. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.