Swatting incident caused by false active shooter report in Ephrata

EPHRATA – A report of an active shooter at the Ephrata Walmart was false and the result of swatting, a practice in which a fake emergency is reported to authorities to get a response, often around people on the scene, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office to harass those who made the false report. An incident was reported to have occurred.

“There is no active shooter at the Ephrata Walmart, a hoax (swatting) caused the rumor to grow,” a statement from GCSO said. “Again, no active shooter at Ephrata Walmart. Other regional Walmarts are not under fire either.”

Although the report turned out to be false, Ephrata School District Communications Director Sarah Morford said the school district secured the campus as a precaution to ensure the safety of students and staff.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Columbia Ridge Elementary, Ephrata Middle School and Tiger Cub Preschool have been placed in the Secure the Building protocol. All students are safe. Students will remain indoors and classes will continue as normal,” a statement from the district said when the false report was first made.

Morford said the campus was back to normal operations as of 1:20 p.m

In Washington, falsely reporting a crime, such as a swatting incident, falls under RCW 9A.84.040 and defines swatting as a felony in cases similar to the situation in Ephrata Wednesday afternoon.

The Columbia Basin Herald has reached out to management at the Ephrata Walmart and will update this story with any responses as they become available.