‘Such a horrific lie’: Roommate speaks out after apparent ‘swatting’ hoax

Bran Jennex described the terrifying experience of being awoken by a swarm of police officers, including an Emergency Response Team, at his Halifax apartment around 2 a.m. Monday. He and his roommate were confused and puzzled about why their home was targeted.

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Open the door, and the entire SWAT team is there. It’s like 10 guys, armour, with guns and rifles.

Police stated that a 911 call falsely reported that someone had shot their father and was holding their mother hostage. Jennex recounted that the scammer was impersonating his roommate. When officers arrived, they evacuated the building, and Jennex asserted that neither he nor his roommate had any knowledge of the call. "They were searching for a hostage that didn’t exist, and it’s like I haven’t even touched a gun, let alone owned one," Jennex said.

Jennex and his roommate were led out of the building with their hands up, handcuffed, and engaged in tense conversations with officers until it was confirmed the situation was a hoax. Investigators determined the initial call was a swatting scam, intended to scare residents and tie up emergency services. Police confirmed the call originated outside Canada.

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They were searching for a hostage that didn’t exist, and it’s like I haven’t even touched a gun, let alone owned one.

Const. Martin Cromwell of the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) emphasized the serious nature of such calls, stating, "If we get a report that somebody’s been shot, somebody’s being held at gunpoint, we are going to respond armed with a significant police presence." He added that such responses pose safety concerns and can be traumatic.

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If we get a report that somebody’s been shot, somebody’s being held at gunpoint, we are going to respond armed with a significant police presence.

The ordeal wasn't over. Around 11 a.m. Monday, pizzas began arriving at the apartment. Jennex explained that it appeared scammers had called numerous pizza places in Bedford, using his roommate's name and phone number. The order notes stated, "I’m a hostage, help me." Seven pizzas arrived with the same message, and the roommates are still trying to understand how their information was obtained. "I can’t think of anyone who would have such bad blood, it was just like, such a horrific lie," Jennex said. Police are continuing their investigation and indicated that criminal charges would likely follow if the caller's identity is determined.

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So that’s going to not only cause a potential safety concern or threat, it could also be very traumatic.