WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Westfield Police Department is informing the public that an incident in downtown near Park Square Friday night was determined to be a swatting incident.
Police received a 911 call of a suspect that claimed to have a rifle and an explosive device. Westfield police, State Police bomb squad, State Police Special Units and Air Wing were in the area of Park Square downtown Friday night to try and find the alleged suspect.
Westfield Police Officer Matt Schultz called the 22News station at around 9:00 p.m. asking to use our live camera to see if anyone appeared to be on rooftops in that area. It was determined the call was fake and considered a “swatting” incident. Swatting is when fake information is provided to police.
People dining at the Tavern restaurant also called and were asked to stay in place for the time being.
Police said the people involved will be held responsible for the swatting call. The roads in downtown have been reopened to traffic and there is no harm to the public.