Manchester police are searching for a suspect, after they responded to a fake report of gunshots and screaming, Monday afternoon.
Officers responded to 78 Deer Run Trail a little after 2 p.m. They made contact with the resident, David Henderson, who was home with the flu, and established that the call was a hoax.
“I was just freaking out, hoping that everyone was OK,” said property owner Kelly Luxenberg. “This is such a quiet neighborhood. It’s a beautiful neighborhood, and you start to think, ‘Well, how could this possibly happen?’ ”
Manchester police believe this incident is another example of ‘swatting,” a trend where fake emergency calls are placed, prompting large police responses. Swatting can leave unsuspecting victims terrified and police resources strapped, Manchester Police Captain Christopher Davis said.
“False reporting of an incident in the 1st degree. Punishable by 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine. So it is a very significant crime,” Davis said.