MOORHEAD, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—Authorities have confirmed that no shooting took place during the heavy police response at Sunset Circle in Moorhead late Friday afternoon.
According to Captain Derek Swensson of the Moorhead Police Department, the call, which initially reported a possible homicide, was determined to be a swatting incident—a false report designed to trigger a large law enforcement response.
Official Statement from Captain Derek Swensson:
At approximately 4:00 p.m., law enforcement received a 911 call claiming multiple victims had been shot at a residence in the 2600 block of 4th Avenue North. The caller first contacted a local police department, then later Red River Regional Dispatch.
Due to the severity of the claim, multiple agencies responded immediately, including:
- Moorhead Police Department
- Minnesota State Patrol
- Dilworth Police Department
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office
Officers secured the neighborhood and prepared to activate the Red River Regional SWAT team. However, before escalation, investigators determined that the call was false.
Authorities now believe the caller was an adult male experiencing a mental health crisis.
“This type of false report diverts critical law enforcement resources and delays responses to actual emergencies in our community,” said Swensson.
Ongoing Investigation
Moorhead Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the swatting call. No injuries were reported, and officials urge the public to report swatting incidents due to the risk and resources involved.
This incident underscores the serious legal consequences of making false emergency reports and the importance of addressing mental health crises with proper support services.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me