In a collaborative investigation, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant in Smith County on Saturday, June 29. The operation successfully identified a juvenile suspect responsible for numerous bomb threats and swatting hoaxes across multiple states.
The investigation began in May when the suspect initiated a swatting incident at a residence in St. Paul, Texas. Through the efforts of the involved agencies and the execution of several search warrants, the juvenile suspect was identified with charges pending. The suspect has been linked to bomb threats at Brookshire’s grocery stores, schools in the Tyler area, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, and Mission ISD.
The investigation remains ongoing. Investigators have learned the suspect's activities spanned Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. To date, investigators have identified over 100 locations targeted by these hoaxes.
Despite employing sophisticated techniques to stay hidden, the suspect’s identity was uncovered through online investigative efforts.
Swatting and bomb threats pose significant dangers and law enforcement has seen an increase in these events in recent years. These hoaxes create panic, endanger lives, and divert resources from police, fire, and emergency medical services.
Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner stated, “This successful operation underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing serious threats to public safety. Swatting hoaxes and bomb threats are serious matters that potentially endanger innocent civilians. We remain committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for these dangerous activities.”
