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The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is advising residents about swatting following a false alarm call.

Department officials said on Wednesday, April 24, the department received a call in the in the Toliver Lake Road area of a possible homicide, which officers responded accordingly.

“Upon arrival at the residence, deputies secured the area and made contact with the occupant,” officials said. “After clearing the residence and talking with the occupant it was determined that this was a “SWATTING” call.”

Swatting is an act of harassment by deceiving emergency services by making either a false call or a prank call to dispatch to bring about many armed police officers to a particular address. Swatting acts has seen an increase over the years where victims have ranged from citizens, video game streamers, celebrities and politicians.

“These types of calls are malicious in nature and take valuable resources away from true emergency calls,” sheriff officials said. “These types of calls also scare and terrorize unexpecting individuals as in the case of the lone young woman that was occupying this residence.”

The department said in a statement that it takes these types of calls seriously and an investigation is underway to determine the origin and identity of the caller.

“Coffee County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Tullahoma Police Chief Chase Sons and Assistant Chief Jason Kennedy who were in the area and responded to assist,” the statement read.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are to contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.