NAPLES, Fla. – Senator Rick Scott has taken to social media to address a troubling incident that unfolded at his residence in Naples. He revealed that his home became the target of a “swatting” episode involving a false emergency call to the police, alleging a man had shot his wife with an AR-15 and was holding hostages.
According to the former Florida governor, the incident occurred while he was having dinner with his wife. On the platform X (formerly Twitter), he condemned the “cowards” responsible for the swatting. This malicious prank aims to provoke a significant law enforcement response at the victim’s residence.
Scott expressed his frustration, stating, “These criminals wasted the time and resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family.”
A spokesperson from the Naples Police Department verified the incident to FOX 35. Shortly after 9 p.m., dispatchers received a call on the non-emergency line reporting a shooting on Gordon Drive. The male caller, who identified himself as “Jamal,” claimed to have shot his wife with an AR-15 while she was sleeping. The caller alleged that the shooting occurred due to his wife’s involvement with another person.
Furthermore, “Jamal” claimed to be holding a hostage, identified as his wife’s boyfriend, Michael. He demanded $10,000 and threatened to detonate a pipe bomb if his demands were not met. However, the caller provided no further details about the individuals involved, and his voice appeared to be computer-generated.
Upon arrival at the house, the police encountered IPS security, who were unaware of any issues or calls. After an external search of the premises, law enforcement contacted homeowner Rick Scott, who requested an interior search of his residence. This search yielded no evidence supporting the caller’s claims, leading the police to conclude that it was indeed a swatting incident.
The investigation into this distressing incident remains active and ongoing. After two recent incidents, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood warns that swatting is dangerous. On Thursday, an 11-year-old girl appeared in court for the first time, accused of texting 911 about an imaginary kidnapping. In addition to house arrest, the girl must always be with a parent or guardian.