AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) — A massive law-enforcement response on the campus of Auburn University came about Wednesday, August 27th, when reports of a dangerous individual near the Ralph Brown Draughon Library prompted emergency alerts. Within the hour, officials confirmed the threat was false — a swatting hoax meant to draw armed officers to campus.
"Officers responded and searched the building while access was temporarily closed and occupants were evacuated. The search confirmed that no threat was present, and further investigation determined the call was fabricated, said Auburn's Assistant Police Chief Michael Harris.
Investigators are now looking into whether Auburn University was the latest target of Purgatory, an online group tied to the extremist network "The Com." The group has claimed responsibility for a series of swatting calls since mid-August. At least a dozen schools have been hit, including Villanova, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Arkansas, Northern Arizona, Iowa State, Kansas State, Colorado Boulder, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Kentucky, Central Georgia Technical College, University of South Carolina and Texas at San Antonio
A WIRED investigation found Purgatory markets swatting online, charging as little as $20 for fake school threats and up to $95 for hospitals or airports. One figure, known as "Gores," claimed to have made more than $100,000 since August 21.
"The unfounded threat associated with this incident is a felony as defined by Alabama state law. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with any related information is encouraged to contact the Auburn Police Department at (334) 501-3100," said Harris.
Just weeks earlier, local law enforcement and first respondersconducted a large-scale mass-casualty training exercise inside Neville Arena on AU'a campus, preparing for the very type of scenario the hoax call attempted to simulate.
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