Police Monday responded to a false alert of a shooting that occurred at the Westfield Culver City shopping center.
The hoax shooting was reported at approximately 10:50 a.m. Monday. Officers immediately responded to the location to conduct a comprehensive search of the property, according to the Culver City Police Department.
No victims were located at the scene and detectives were unable to recover any evidence that indicated that a shooting had taken place at the shopping center, police said.
“At this time, no credible threat to the public has been identified. Preliminary information indicates the call was likely a hoax, commonly referred to as `swatting,”’ the police department said in a statement.
The report is being investigated, with police noting that knowingly making emergency reports that are not true is a criminal offense that diverts critical emergency resources from real events.
Anyone with information regarding the swatting call was urged to contact the CCPD at 310-253-6202. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.