Jennifer Aniston falls victim to swatting prank as LAPD answers false wellness check at her LA home
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jennifer Aniston fell victim to a swatting incident after police visited her Los Angeles home in response to a call requesting a wellness check for a friend who was contemplating suicide.
According to law enforcement, an anonymous male caller dialed 911 on Friday, September 20, and said he was worried about a friend without naming the 'Friends' star's name.
Jennifer Aniston confirmed to police that she did not commit self-harm
The caller provided the address without revealing his identity, saying his friend was "not doing well," and displayed suicidal tendencies, as per OK! Magazine.
The police arrived at Aniston's LA home soon after midnight, only to find out who resided at the address. The staff was surprised at the unexpected visit of the LAPD, and the 55-year-old actress confirmed she had no thoughts of harming herself.
The LAPD later stated that "officers responded to a welfare check," and after visiting 'The Morning Show' actress' house, they "determined the radio call was a swatting incident," according to The Independent.
Aniston, who was nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Alex Levy in 'The Morning Show,' lost to Anna Sawai. The star attended the event alone, having not publicly dated since her 2017 split from ex-husband Justin Theroux.
Jennifer Aniston: The latest victim of swatting prank
Aniston is not the only celebrity who was targeted by a swatting prank.
Swatting refers to an incident where a hoax calls emergency services, falsely reporting a serious situation at a specific location at a public figure or politician's home, intending to prompt the authorities, likely a SWAT team, to visit the address.
A-list celebrities, including Rihanna, Justin Beiber, Nicki Minaj, Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, Ashton Kutcher, and many more, were victims of swatting in the past, causing police visits to their homes.
Minaj, a Trinidadian rapper, was swatted more than once, and the latest incident was reported in July 2023, according to TMZ. LA County Sheriff Deputies appeared at her Los Angeles home after an unnamed person called 911 claiming someone was shot at Minaj's home.
In 2013, police were sent to Rihanna's home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, after an anonymous call about two armed men in her home and someone being shot, as per CBC News.
The same year, 'Mission: Impossible' star Tom Cruise was targeted after police swarmed his home in response to a prank call about armed robbery. In 2012, a SWAT team went to Bieber's house in California following a hoax 911 call.
Notably, celebrities are not the only victims of swatting. Earlier this year, several units from Washington's Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department hurried to the White House following a false 911 report of a fire and someone trapped inside the POTUS' residence.
