Swatting incident to blame for heavy police presence in Sarnia

Sarnia police are seen in the area of Davis and Russell streets on March 18, 2026. (Source: Sarnia Police Service)

A swatting incident is being blamed for prompting a heavy police presence in Sarnia early Wednesday afternoon.

According to a news release, there was a significant police response in the area of Davis Street and Russell Street in Sarnia on Wednesday following a report that a shooting had taken place inside a home.

Officers quickly responded to the area and members of the Emergency Response Team, who were undergoing training at the time, were deployed to the scene.

“As officers began to investigate and make observations, additional information was obtained that began to call into question the legitimacy of the original report,” police said. “Patrol officers observed an individual exit the residence, further reducing concern that a violent incident had occurred.”

Upon arrival, the Emergency Response Team conducted a thorough clearing of the home and was soon determined the initial report of a shooting was false.

Police say this type of incident is known as “swatting,” and it occurs when a person deliberately makes a false report to emergency services, often involving serious violence such as a shooting or serious injury, to prompt a large police response to a specific location.

“Swatting is extremely dangerous. It places innocent members of the public at risk, can result in significant consequences to those targeted, and creates potentially volatile situations for responding officers who must make rapid decisions based on the information provided,” Sarnia police said. “It also diverts critical police resources away from legitimate emergencies.”

As a result, the incident is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division to identify the individual responsible for the false report.

Sarnia police remind the public that making false reports to police is a criminal offence and “will be treated with the utmost seriousness.”

Police say further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.