Teen from Saskatoon facing charges in U.S. and Canada in ‘swatting’ incidents

A 15-year-old boy who used to live in Saskatoon is facing charges after a joint investigation into several “swatting” incidents that took place on both sides of the border.

In September, Saskatoon police joined the Edmonton Police Service and several United States law enforcement agencies in the investigation.

In a release, police say the investigation involved a youth using a VoIP number to call a large U.S. metropolitan police department, resulting in an armed response by local law enforcement.

The person made several other calls to law enforcement agencies, schools, universities, airports, businesses and personal homes, saying violence with weapons had taken place and people were critically injured.

All of the incidents reported by the person were false but incited panic and fear, and cost tens of thousands of dollars in emergency response in both Canada and the U.S.

No one was injured as a result.

The teen was identified after an extensive investigation by the Edmonton Police Service Cybercrime Unit, the Saskatoon Police Service, the Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT), the United States Secret Service and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

On Nov. 19, the Edmonton Police Service got a search warrant for a Saskatoon home. The Saskatoon Police Service General Investigations Section executed the warrant and seized evidence of the offences.

Police say the address of the home won’t be provided due to the ongoing investigation.

On Wednesday, the 15-year-old was arrested by the Louisiana Sheriff’s Office. He is facing a charge of second-degree False Public Alarm Impending Bomb under the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice.

He is also facing extradition to other jurisdictions in the United States to face charges and prosecution for the offences he committed while living in Saskatoon.

Police say the investigation is ongoing with more charges anticipated in both Canada and the U.S.