Swatting Incident Involving a Supreme Court Justice

On Wednesday evening, reports emerged suggesting that a U.S. Supreme Court justice might have been the target of a swatting incident. A recording shared online claims to document a police dispatcher ordering a response to the residence of a “high-priority resident of the county.”

The dispatcher remarked that the officer could not return the call to the complainant, which raised suspicions that it could be a swatting scenario. “The unit is responding to a suspicious noise. Please note that a call back to the complainant’s number hasn’t produced a response. It is uncertain whether this will lead to an actual swatting situation,” she stated.

A male officer mentioned contacting the security guard on location, stating, “They’re supposed to be outside in an Explorer. He hasn’t heard anything. I’m planning to meet with him first and discuss everything.”

Sources indicate that the victim of this alleged incident was Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) acknowledged the report but did not confirm it directly. He criticized swatting as an act aiming to endanger innocents, specifically pointing out that a sitting Supreme Court justice is the victim.

The Fairfax County Police Department confirmed via email that their officers responded to a reported swatting incident at the home of a Supreme Court justice. However, they did not disclose the name of the judge involved.

At around 9:02 p.m. on Wednesday, officers went to the residence of a U.S. Supreme Court justice in Fairfax County based on a call received through the department’s non-emergency line. They coordinated with Supreme Court Police and quickly determined that the situation was a hoax, not requiring additional police resources.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court did not provide comments regarding the incident when approached.

Barrett was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term.

This situation comes amidst a backdrop of increasing concern over threats against officials, as noted in a statement from the FBI regarding bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration candidates and appointees.

This story is evolving.