911 hoax victim shocked to find authorities at her door
The victim of a 911 hoax in West Des Moines said she has no idea who would impersonate her and report a fake shooting.
West Des Moines police officers were dispatched around 2:12 p.m. to 719 19th St. on reports of a shooting.
The 911 dispatcher received a call from someone claiming to be Amanda Wallace. The caller claimed that her son, Seth, shot his father.
The real Amanda Wallace said she had just returned to the home when officers started banging on her door.
“The door (was) coming open,” Wallace said. “It was a police officer. He just asked me if I was OK. I was like, ‘yeah.’”
Wallace said she had no idea someone impersonated her and reported the fake shooting.
“I am very creeped out,” she said. “It really bothers me that they used my son's name.”
West Des Moines police traced the number to a Jiffy Lube in Texas and deemed the call a “swatting” call, or a fake 911 call threatening intense violence.
Public Safety officials said "swatting" is dangerous and frustrating because it pulls resources from real emergencies.
“It's a very poor thing to do,” said David Edgar, with West Des Moines Public Safety. “It's like saying there is a bomb somewhere. It's taken very (seriously).”
“It's just really sad that someone would take the time to do something like that,” Wallace said. “What a horrible thing to say, to just make it up.”
Authorities said they are working with Texas police try and catch the 911 caller. If caught, the caller could face criminal charges.