False Active Shooter Reports at Hampton Inns in Seneca Falls and Penn Yan Determined to Be ‘Swatting’ Incidents

Seneca Falls, N.Y. — Law enforcement agencies in Seneca and Yates counties were called to action Friday morning after emergency calls falsely reported active shooter situations at Hampton Inn hotels in Penn Yan and Seneca Falls. Authorities have since confirmed both incidents were “swatting” hoaxes, designed to trigger large-scale police responses.

According to Seneca Falls Police Chief Timothy Snyder, officers were dispatched at approximately 7:35 a.m. to the Hampton Inn on Balsey Road after a report of an active shooter inside the hotel. Police arrived within two minutes, quickly evacuated guests, and conducted a systematic search of the property and surrounding area. All guests were relocated across the street as a precaution.

Both Seneca Falls and Waterloo schools were placed on “Secure” status, with elementary schools operating on a two-hour delay. The restrictions were lifted once the threat was deemed unfounded.

“Swatting creates unnecessary chaos, diverts emergency resources, and puts innocent people at risk,” Chief Snyder said in a statement. “This practice is not only dangerous but also illegal.”

Detectives are now working to identify the source of the false call, and charges are expected.

Parallel Incident in Penn Yan

Just minutes before the Seneca Falls response, Yates County 911 received a similar call around 7:30 a.m., claiming that 14 people had been shot at the Hampton Inn on Mace Street in Penn Yan. Dispatchers attempted to obtain additional details, but the caller abruptly hung up.

Penn Yan Police rushed to the scene, but officers quickly determined there was no active threat and no evidence of a shooting.

Both responses involved significant law enforcement presence and temporarily disrupted travel and daily activity. In Seneca Falls, Balsey Road was closed for about an hour as multiple agencies secured the area.

Multi-Agency Response

Friday’s incidents prompted coordinated responses from several agencies, including the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Waterloo Police Department, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca Falls Fire Department, North Seneca Ambulance, and the Seneca County 911 Center.

Officials say the quick and cooperative response ensured that guests were kept safe and the scenes were secured in minutes, despite the hoaxes.

Not the First Time

This is not the first such incident to impact the region. In November 2023, Penn Yan Police were also dispatched to the same Hampton Inn after receiving a similar false report of an active shooter. That incident, too, proved to be a hoax, raising concerns about repeat targeting of the hotel chain.

Authorities are working to determine whether the calls in Seneca Falls and Penn Yan are connected and if they may be linked to broader patterns of swatting incidents seen across the country.

Ongoing Investigation

Both Yates County and Seneca County law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the origins of the calls. Police have not yet disclosed whether the calls came from the same source, but they stressed that swatting is a serious crime that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“This investigation remains a top priority,” Chief Snyder said. “We are committed to identifying the individual or individuals responsible.”

The FBI and other federal authorities are often involved in swatting cases due to their interstate and digital nature, though no federal involvement has yet been confirmed in Friday’s incidents.

Authorities are urging residents to remain calm but vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity or information related to the false calls.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.