Authorities in the United States have released a 911 recording in which a 20-year-old Sault man allegedly calls police to say he’s armed with an AR-15 and is about to “shoot everyone” at a Florida middle school.
Last month, Sault Police announced the arrest of a local man in connection with numerous “swatting” incidents south of the border — an increasingly prevalent crime in which someone phones 911 to report a fake emergency.
Police allege the suspect made multiple anonymous calls from Sault Ste. Marie to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala, Florida, triggering a heavy police response that wasn’t necessary.
The sheriff’s office says the man’s actions “stemmed from his belief that he was in an online relationship with a 13-year-old resident of Marion County” and “when communication with the victim ceased, [he] resorted to making hoax calls, threatening public safety until the victim resumed contact with him.”
In one instance, emergency crews rushed to Dunnellon Middle School in Florida on the afternoon of Feb. 16, only to discover the call was a hoax.
The 911 recording from that day is now posted on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.
“I just want to let you guys know that I have an AR-15 and that I was about to go into my school right now,” says the caller, who identifies himself as Nick. “And I’m in a red SUV and I’m about to go into my school and shoot everyone.”
“OK, where are you located right now?” the dispatcher asks.
“I’m in the parking lot right now at my school.”
“OK. Can you tell me exactly what’s going on?”
“I’ve been just feeling really suicidal lately and people have been bullying me as well at that school and I’m about to just honestly just shoot some kid right now. I have a gun pointed at one kid already, so.”
The call lasts only two minutes.
“I’m going to shoot the kid right now,” the caller says, near the end of the recording.
“Don’t do that, Nick,” the dispatcher says.
“And I’m about to shoot someone right now,” he replies, before hanging up.
The next day, at around 5:30 a.m., police say the same person called the sheriff’s office to say they were holding a victim hostage at gunpoint. Again, the caller was lying.
Authorities in Marion County contacted Sault Police on March 18 to tell them about the calls. The suspect was arrested at his residence two days later, on March 20.
"Through this collaborative effort by both the Office of the Sheriff and Sault Ste. Marie Police Services, we were able to apprehend the individual responsible for these dangerous hoaxes," said Sheriff Billy Woods, in the Facebook post. “Public safety is paramount, and we will not tolerate actions that jeopardize the well-being of our communities."
“Swatting poses a danger to law enforcement officers and civilians alike,” the post continues. “Those found guilty of perpetrating swatting incidents will face arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
William Tuckett is charged with:
• Public Mischief x3
• Conveying False Information x3
He was held in custody pending a bail hearing and subsequently released with conditions. He is scheduled back in court on April 22.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Tuckett is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.