Advertisement

Tom Cruise is apparent victim of a ‘shots fired’ ‘swatting’ hoax

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Beverly Hills police surrounded actor Tom Cruise’s home Thursday after a report of shots fired that appeared to be another ‘swatting’ hoax, authorities said.

Authorities were still investigating the call, which they said did not originate inside Cruise’s home, Beverly Hills police Sgt. Renato Moreno said. It was not immediately known if the actor was home at the time.

Advertisement

Beverly Hills police tweeted, ‘No emergency, everyone safe.’

Cruise isn’t the first celebrity targeted in a “swatting,” a prank in someone calls to report a nonexistent emergency at a location, which often results in the deployment of a SWAT team. Several others have been victims of similar incidents in recent months, including Charlie Sheen, Miley Cyrus, Simon Cowell, Ashton Kutcher and Justin Bieber.

In December, Los Angeles police arrested a 12-year-old boy believed to be behind several “swatting” incidents at the homes of Kutcher and Bieber, along with local businesses.

Lt. Marc Reina said the boy used a computer program that allowed him to make TTY calls used by people who are hearing-impaired. The boy set up a fake account and began making the swatting calls via message to LAPD, he said.

‘He is very clever with computers and could be applying this in a positive way,’ Reina said.

In October, Beverly Hills police responded to Cruise’s home after a security guard used a stun gun to detain a neighbor on the property. Authorities later said the man was intoxicated and “may have confused himself and entered the wrong property.’

ALSO:

Advertisement

Natalie Wood death probe found new evidence, sources say

Suspect in Hollywood nightclub slaying arrested in Las Vegas

Thief crawls through doggie door, steals ‘I Love Lucy’ collectibles

-- Richard Winton and Kate Mather

nswers questions during a news conference last week to promote his film ‘Jack Reacher’ in Seoul. Photo: Lee Jin-man/Associated Press

Advertisement