Francis Marion University False Threat Prompts Investigation

The call was made by a virtual phone number making it difficult for police to track down.

An investigation is underway after a threatening call was made toward Francis Marion University.

On Sunday night, every available officer was dispatched to the university’s campus. The SWAT team was activated but did not report to the scene.

The suspect reportedly called claiming that he had just stabbed a woman and was going to “cause havoc on everybody and shoot everybody.” The call came over a campus administrative line.

Officers searched the campus and surrounding area before determining that the situation was a “swatting hoax” meaning the threat was fake. The call was made by a virtual phone number making it difficult for police to track down.

Police are now working to find the suspect with plans to charge them to the full extent of the law. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.