An 11-year-old Virginia boy is charged in Florida with calling in more than 20 bomb or shooting threats to schools and other places, authorities said Thursday.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said during a news conference that authorities worked hard to find the caller before the school year resumes.

“This kid’s behavior was escalating and becoming more dangerous,” Staly said. “I’m glad we got him before he escalated out of control and hurt someone.”

Swatting is slang for making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to send a SWAT team or other armed police officers to a particular place.

  • @gibmiser
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    415 months ago

    Online gaming. They have friends or rivals in another state. I heard about a kid swatting as a service in exchange for money from his friends.

    • Flying Squid
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      135 months ago

      Now that makes sense! I think that’s a very good possibility.