Sheriff: shooting report unfounded

    While her name was not released, a suspect has been identified in the apparent false reporting of a shooting last Thursday night near Lamar.
    Chase County Sheriff Kevin Mueller said a 911 call came into Perkins County about 9:45 p.m. that night, and was transferred to Chase County regarding a shooting south of Lamar.
    The caller said a male subject had been shot, Mueller said, so Imperial EMS, Mueller and three deputies responded to the residence at 74024—312 Avenue, south of Highway 6.
“We had the ambulance stand by until we cleared the house. We found one lone male occupant in the house who didn’t live there but was watching the house,” Mueller said.
After clearing the house and checking all the out-buildings it was determined that no shooting occurred and the 911 caller, identified as a 42-year-old woman, was in Grant when the 911 call was made, the sheriff said.
Mueller said they were able to ping the location of the call in Grant. The Perkins County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Chase County investigation that night by making initial contact with the alleged caller, Mueller added.
The sheriff said they are certain the occupant in the house was not involved.
Since they are still investigating, Mueller did not release names of the home’s owner or occupant there that night.
No charges had been filed yet as of Wednesday. County Attorney Arlan Wine is reviewing the evidence and will determine if charges result, he said.
    Mueller said there were a lot of resources expended on this incident.
    “EMS and our officers were put in danger traveling at a high rate of speed” to get to the scene, he said.    
    In addition, Chase County Community Hospital was contacted and began its protocol for a possible trauma victim, and a life flight helicopter was dispatched, he said.
    Mueller said the incident was what they call being  “swatted,” which is the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.
    Mueller said it’s the first time a “swatting” has occurred here since he’s been sheriff.