Wanted Man Arrested After False 911 Swatting Call Prompts Tactical Response in Conyers

CONYERS, Ga. – A 35-year-old wanted man was arrested Wednesday after investigators determined a reported shooting that prompted a tactical law enforcement response was actually a false 911 “swatting” call.

At approximately 1 p.m. on July 29, the Conyers Police Department received a 911 call from an individual reporting a shooting at an unknown location.

Officers immediately began working to identify the caller’s location and determine the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting. Through their investigation, officers traced the source of the call to a residence in the 1100 block of Park Circle.

Based on previous law enforcement contacts and the residence’s call history, officers determined that 35-year-old Reginald Pittman, who was wanted on outstanding warrants, was likely inside the home.

Because of the reported shooting and potential safety concerns, investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence. The Conyers Police Department’s Special Response Team was deployed to safely execute the warrant and take Pittman into custody.

Pittman was arrested without incident, and no officers, residents or bystanders were injured during the operation.

Following a search of the residence and further investigation, officers found no evidence that a shooting had occurred. Investigators concluded the incident was a swatting call, in which emergency responders are intentionally dispatched to a location based on a false report of a serious crime.

Pittman was booked into the Rockdale County Jail and faces charges related to swatting, misuse of the 911 emergency system and his outstanding warrants.

The investigation remains ongoing.