Halifax police investigating fake hostage report in Bedford

Halifax police are investigating a fake report of a hostage incident in Bedford.

The Halifax Regional Police is investigating a “swatting” incident in Bedford, N.S., just after midnight on Monday.

Police say they received a call from a man saying he had shot his father and was holding his mother at gunpoint at a River Lane apartment complex around 12:30 a.m.

Officers arrived at the building and contacted the man’s parents, confirming they were safe, according to a police news release.

“The man who was believed to have made the initial report then exited the apartment with no knowledge of the incident,” the release reads. “He cooperated with police and was released after it was determined that he did not make the report.”

Following an investigation, police determined the initial call was made outside of Canada and was a hoax.

Const. Martin Cromwell said they do not believe it was a random incident.

“We believe that the person who we believed was the caller...was targeted due to an online dispute,” he said.

“Swatting involves making a false report to police with the intent of prompting a significant police response,” the release reads. “False reports like this tie up emergency responders and divert them away from others who may need help.”

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Emma Convey

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