A targeted swatting call early Tuesday morning prompted a large law enforcement response to a Madison residence before authorities determined the report was a hoax.

According to the Madison Police Department, Lake County Communications received a 911 call at approximately 12:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 14. The caller claimed he was inside a home in the 900 block of North Prairie Avenue, had shot his mother, and was holding his sister at gunpoint. Before ending the call, the caller made it appear that he had also shot his sister.

Madison Police determined the home’s occupant was an elderly man who lived alone, and by 1:18 a.m. investigators concluded the incident was a targeted swatting attack carried out using live footage from the home’s security camera system.

Swatting is a form of criminal hoax in which someone makes a false emergency report—often claiming a shooting, hostage situation, or other violent crime—to trigger a large police response to an unsuspecting victim’s home or business. The practice is considered extremely dangerous because it can place innocent people, responding officers, and bystanders at risk.

Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the Madison Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison Police Department/Lake County Special Response Team, Madison Regional Health, and Lake County Communications.

Authorities said no one was injured during the incident. The Madison Police Department stated no further updates will be released.