And now a news story that hits close to home: A disturbing surge of swatting attacks in recent months has struck media personalities, conservative influencers, liberal judges, and now me too.
The following is a transcript of a report from “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson.”
Watch the video by clicking the link at the end of the page.
As we’ve reported here on Full Measure, “Swatting” is the crime of reporting fake emergencies, often a shooting or hostage situation, at a target’s address. Innocent people have been injured and even killed in swatting incidents.
The attacks on me and my family started April 15. In an email the sender claimed to live at my address and wrote: “I was arguing with my girlfriend and I accidentally stabbed her to death Just send an ambulance, no cops.”
Like other swatting attacks, the criminals also launched a flurry of other harassment tactics and online threats.
In February, pardoned January 6 defendant and InfoWars host Owen Shroyer was swatted at his Austin, Texas, home
Police: Keep walking!
he was forced to lie on the ground and crawl backward before convincing officers it was a hoax.
Talk show host Joe Pagliarulo described a rude awakening at 2:35 in the morning.
Joe Pagliarulo: I can’t tell if it’s a police officer or now, I don’t know who it is. But he looks a little bit nervous. But believe me, I’ve got a video of this guy with a rifle at my door like holding it, ready to use it.
InfoWars host Chase Geiserwas swatted twice within 24 hours. In the second attack, someone had called police pretending to be Geiser, threatening to kill his own family.
County Sheriff: County sheriff’s office step out of your house now!..Come out of the house now with your hands up.
Officers ordered Geiser out of his home where he was handcuffed at gunpoint.
Sharyl (on camera): There are at least a dozen known attacks in the most recent wave. FBI Director Kash Patel addressed what he called the “alarming rise in ‘Swatting’ incidents targeting media figures.” He says “The FBI is aware of this dangerous trend, and my team and I are already taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.”
Watch video here.
