Rochester Synagogue Among Targets of Minnesota Swatting Calls

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester Synagogue was among nearly three dozen buildings across Minnesota targeted by swatting calls on Wednesday. 

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The Minnesota BCA says at least 25 schools and 9 Jewish facilities across the state were targeted by the calls. Swatting is the act of falsely reporting a threat to draw a large law enforcement response to a specific address. 

The Rochester Police Department confirmed Wednesday that B’nai Synagogue received one of the messages reporting either a bomb threat or active shooting. Rochester Police say an investigation determined there was no credible threat.  

Red Wing Police also received a report of a threat targeting the Red Wing High School. That threat was also determined to not be credible. 

A news release issued by the BCA says none of the incidents, all reported around 3:45 p.m., were credible. The news release says the language in the threats were almost identical and that an address associated with the swatting calls was not connected to the incident. 

The BCA utilized the Minnesota Fusion Center to track the fake threats and to keep local law enforcement agencies informed. 

The state agency is using the statewide incidents to remind students and communities to notify local law enforcement and school resource officers about suspected threats to schools, and to contact the BCA through our See It Say It Send It app.

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