The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has identified the source of a swatting call that led to a large police response in Montgomery Village in September 2025.
On September 9, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 19100 block of Montgomery Village Avenue, but found no evidence of gunfire at the scene; an investigation later determined the 911 call originated from a moving school bus, prompting traffic stops of multiple buses in the area as officers worked to locate the caller.
Police said detectives with the Threat Assessment and Behavioral Solutions Unit identified the caller on January 27, 2026, as a 12-year-old student. While the incident caused traffic disruptions and diverted police resources, Maryland law prohibits criminal charges in this case due to the caller’s age; school administrators were notified and disciplinary action was taken. Police emphasized that false reports of violent crimes are treated seriously because of the risks they pose to the public and responding officers.
