'This must end': Internet demands probe as Georgia Lt Gov Burt Jones becomes victim of 'swatting' incident

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: In a concerning escalation of recent events, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones revealed on Thursday, December 28, that he has fallen victim to a "swatting" incident, joining a growing list of Republican lawmakers facing similar attacks.

Lt Gov Burt Jones speaks out

"Last night, my home was ‘swatted.’ This morning, a bomb threat was called to my office. Thankfully everyone is safe, and I commend our local law enforcement officers for their professionalism," Jones shared in a social media post.

The bomb threat, directed at Jones' district office in Jackson, Georgia, is currently under investigation by both the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) and the FBI.

Jones expressed resilience, stating, "Let me be clear — I will not be intimidated by those attempting to silence me. We will put an end to this madness. We are in full compliance with law enforcement, and I am confident that those responsible will be brought to justice and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The GBI's Cyber Unit is actively collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to identify the culprits behind the recent spate of swatting incidents targeting Georgia lawmakers.

Social media reactions

Social media erupted with reactions denouncing the attacks, with one user insisting, "This must end," and another labeling it as "straight-up terrorism."

Criticism extended to the Department of Justice's priorities, as someone else asserted, "Too bad our DOJ is too busy rounding up J6 grandmas, concerned parents at school board meetings, devout Catholics, and pro-life activists."

Speculation also arose regarding the potential involvement of certain groups, with another suggesting, "AntiFa has been awfully quiet on the ground here lately. I think we now know what their winter activity is. It’s a quiet riot."

"The FBI can locate anyone that broke wind within 100 miles of the capital on January 6th, but, like the Supreme Court leaker, they can’t find these people," a comment read.

"Do we have a law on the books for this? I hope we do and these people serve time," another offered.

Addressing the broader context, several lawmakers in Georgia and across the country have faced fake 911 calls since last week. Representative Majorie Taylor Greene's home was targeted on Christmas Day, along with Republican Georgia state Senators John Albers, Kay Kirkpatrick, Clint Dixon, and Democrat Kim Jackson.

Furthermore, on the same day, Representative Brandon Williams (R-NY) experienced a swatting incident at his upstate New York residence. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) became the third GOP member of Congress to be "swatted" during the holiday recess, coinciding with the incident at Jones' home.

Meanwhile, Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat, fell victim to swatting two weeks after hosting a controversial holiday party for non-white city council members. Additionally, police responded to fake reports of a shooting at Republican Ohio state Representative Kevin D Miller’s home the day after Christmas, the New York Post reported.

What is swatting?

The alarming trend of swatting involves reporting false information to emergency services, triggering an armed response, typically by a SWAT team, to an unsuspecting person's address. Advocates argue that swatting should be classified as terrorism due to its potential to intimidate and create a real risk of injury or death.

This dangerous practice can lead to evacuations, causing significant disruptions in schools and businesses. Authorities are working diligently to address and apprehend those responsible for these malicious incidents, emphasizing the severity of such actions and the need for swift justice.

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.