06/25/2025
Regarding the SWAT situation downtown this evening.
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ, ๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ
Shortly after 5:00 PM today, the Richmond Police Department received a disturbing call from an unknown male stating that he was located in the 700 block of E. Main Street in Richmond. The caller claimed to be holding five Jewish hostages, said he was armed with fi****ms and explosives, and reported that he had already killed one of the hostages.
Your Richmond PD officers responded immediately and began securing the area. They were quickly joined by the Wayne County Sheriffโs Department, Indiana State Police, and Richmond Fire Department, which deployed a doctor equipped ambulance. As the situation escalated, Richmond PDโs SWAT Team and Drone Team arrived on scene. Negotiators, operating from Wayne County Emergency Communications, established contact with the caller.
Out of an abundance of caution, nearby buildings were cleared with the help of the Randolph County SWAT Team. During the course of the incident, investigators became aware of a live we**am feed in the area. After the feed was terminated, communications with the caller noticeably changed.
After a thorough investigation, officers have determined this to be a swatting incident. This is a criminal hoax in which someone falsely reports a violent emergency to prompt a massive police response. These incidents not only waste valuable resources but also put lives at risk.
Even after determining the call to be a hoax, Officers continued clearing the area to ensure the safety of the public.
โMake no mistake, what happened today was not a joke,โ said ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ. โIt was a calculated and dangerous disruption, and we responded with speed, coordination, and professionalism. The Richmond Police Department treats every single call for service as if itโs real, because protecting our community is not something we take lightly. Whether youโre across the street or hiding behind a computer halfway across the country, if you threaten Richmond, weโre coming for you. All information gathered during todayโs incident will be forwarded to our federal partners at the FBI to help ensure pressure is applied and this individual is held accountable.โ
This incident remains under active investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Richmond Police Department.
We extend our sincere thanks to all involved:
Wayne County Indiana Sheriff's Office
Wayne County Emergency Communications
Indiana State Police
Randolph County, Indiana Sheriff's Department
Richmond Fire Department
Reid Health
Together, we serve a stronger community.
