The following is based on information provided by the Pennington Borough Police Department:
On Tuesday October 3, 2023, at approximately 4:50 pm the Hopewell Twp Police Communications Center received a call from a man claiming he had seriously injured his wife and was about to jeopardize the safety of their children. The male subject was requesting police come to his home on the 1st block of South Main St in Pennington Borough, as he was about to end his life. The caller was distressed and stated he was going to start shooting at law enforcement. However, upon arrival of Pennington Borough Police Officer Daniel D’Ascoli, the threat was deemed to be a hoax/swatting event and there was no danger present. In an abundance of caution, Officers had the Pennington Fire Company shut down South Main St, until the law enforcement units could safely assess the situation and bring it under control quickly. At this time there is no threat to any Pennington residents.
Swatting calls are becoming more common, and are popular with online gaming players who make a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch a large number of armed police officers to a particular address. While it has been confirmed that this was a hoax/swatting event, a situation like this may result in increased concern and anxiety, and feelings of being unsafe, however please know that the members of the Pennington Borough Police Department and surrounding agencies are committed to keeping the residents of Hopewell Valley safe.
Anyone who may have more information in reference to this event please contact Officer Daniel D’Ascoli at 609-737-1679 or [email protected] .
