Full Notification

On August 21, 2026, at approximately 7:09 p.m., the Petaluma Police Department received information regarding a potentially armed subject at a residence in the area of Danby Court.

The initial information was received through a third-party crisis service that was communicating by telephone with a male who claimed he was inside a Petaluma residence. During the call, the male reported that he was armed with a firearm and that an elderly female family member inside the residence had been injured. As the incident progressed, the male made increasingly serious claims, including that he had shot the female, threatened to shoot if police arrived, and later claimed he had an explosive device strapped to his body.

Based on the information available at the time and the potential for an immediate threat to life, Petaluma Police officers responded to the area and established a perimeter around the residence. Petaluma Fire Department personnel staged nearby, and officers temporarily restricted access to Danby Court. A community safety notification was also issued advising residents of police activity in the area.

Officers simultaneously worked to verify the information being provided by the caller. Dispatchers and officers conducted extensive records checks, attempted to identify and contact the occupants of the residence, and gathered additional information to determine whether the reported emergency was legitimate. A Petaluma Police Department unmanned aircraft system (drone) was also deployed to assist officers in safely assessing the residence.

Officers ultimately contacted the homeowner, who was away from the residence and confirmed that an elderly family member was inside the home. Officers were then able to establish direct telephone contact with her. She exited the residence unharmed and advised officers that no shooting or other violent incident had occurred and that no other person was inside the home.

Officers subsequently searched the residence and confirmed there was no armed subject, injured victim, or explosive device. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Based on the investigation, the original emergency report was determined to be false and the circumstances are consistent with what is commonly referred to as a “swatting” incident. Swatting involves intentionally making a false report of a serious or violent emergency for the purpose of causing a significant law enforcement response to an unsuspecting person or location.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., the incident was resolved and the community notification was canceled.

False reports involving firearms, shootings, explosives, or other threats of violence are taken extremely seriously. These incidents place residents, first responders, and the surrounding community at unnecessary risk while diverting emergency resources from legitimate calls for service.

The Petaluma Police Department is investigating the source of the false report. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Petaluma Police Department.