Louisville police find no threats after responding to 'swatting' at 2 local schools

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville police are investigating at least two threats to local schools that likely came from "swatters." 

According to Louisville Metro Police spokesman John Bradley, both Assumption and St. Xavier high schools received threats Thursday morning. 

LMPD responded to both locations. Bradley said in a statement that officers swept Assumption "due to the nature of the threatening communication." The scene was cleared, as no threat was found. 

Investigations at both schools found no active threat. 

Bradley said, "Initial information indicates these are both "swatting" type communications." 

Swatting is when fake or prank calls are made to emergency services, schools, organizations or companies. The fake calls are done in an attempt to dispatch large numbers of local responders and armed police to an address. 

Penalties for swatting depend on the jurisdiction but can include fines and jail time. 

LMPD confirms that it did inform the FBI about the investigations. 

Katie Anderson from the FBI Louisville said in a statement, "FBI Louisville is aware of a number of schools receiving bomb threats this morning. While we are in constant communication with our law enforcement partners and stand ready to assist, at this time we have not been called upon to do so."

Kentucky State University also received a bomb threat Thursday morning. It opted to send faculty and staff home and advised students to evacuate. 

This story may be updated. 

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