Hoax call from outside Canada prompts large police presence in Bedford overnight

Hoax call from outside Canada prompts large police presence in Bedford overnight

Man reported he had shot his father and was holding his mother hostage

A hoax call originating from outside Canada was responsible for a significant police presence in Bedford, N.S., early Monday morning, police said.

Halifax Regional Police said they got a call at 12:30 a.m. AT from a man purporting to live in an apartment complex on River Lane. The caller said he had shot his father and was holding his mother hostage at gunpoint.

Officers went to the apartment complex and other residents were evacuated.

Police contacted the man's parents and confirmed they were safe. The man who was initially believed to have made the report had no knowledge of the incident, police said.

The man co-operated with police and was released after investigators confirmed he did not make the report.

A news release from regional police said incidents of "swatting" — making a false report in order to prompt a significant police response — tie up emergency responders and resources that may be needed elsewhere.

No one has been charged in the incident, but the investigation is ongoing, police say.

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