Rochester Officers Deal With ‘Swatting Call’

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - More than 20 first responders were called out to a Rochester residence Saturday night to check a report of a fatal shooting and hostage situation.

Members of the Police Dept’s Emergency Response Unit were among those sent to a residence at the Parkside Mobile Home Park along Marion Rd SE. The caller said he had shot and killed his mother and was holding his sister and another person hostage inside the residence.

There were no lights on when officers arrived and neighbors said they had not heard any shots or noise from the home. Officers made a forced entry around 11:00 PM and confirmed no one was inside.

Investigators learned the “swatting call” had been made through the TextNow app and they’re trying to identify the caller.

Firefighters, patrol officers, and paramedics were also involved in the incident.

 Police Capt, Casey Moilanen says this is the first time his department has been involved in a “SWATing call” situation.

News Update: Residents in southeast Minnesota are being told to expect a full week of heat and humidity.