According to police, Rifle High School was closed due to a “swatting” incident

RIFLE, Colo. (KJCT) – Students at Rifle High School were on lockdown Tuesday morning as officers with the Rifle Police Department said they searched the building for a person with a shotgun who wanted to commit a shooting.

Fortunately, police said the suspected shooter was little more than a hoax — part of an ongoing nationwide hoax trend called “swatting.”

The fake shooting threat was reported around 8 a.m. Tuesday, with RPD officers responding immediately. The cadre of officers was shortly followed by reinforcements from the Garfield County Sheriff's Department. The two agencies then conducted an “extensive search of the property and surrounding areas.” The investigation later determined that the report was a false alarm.

The RPD warned against the practice of swatting, stating that these types of hoaxes not only disrupt communities and deplete vital resources, but also pose a serious security risk and are significantly disturbing to all involved.

It also said it would continue to take all reports of potential threats seriously and remain committed to school safety. Officers urged the public to come forward with any information regarding the incident.

Rifle High School has since lifted the lockdown and returned to its normal Tuesday schedule.

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