BROKEN BOW, Neb.— Broken Bow Police and the Custer County Sheriff’s Office responded Sunday afternoon to a reported shooting at a residence in the 500 block of North F Street.
The Broken Bow Police Department says officers were called to the area at approximately 4:30 p.m. following a report that a man had shot his sister inside a residence.
Because of the nature of the report, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office also responded. Officers established a perimeter around the residence while the situation was investigated.
The response also led to precautionary measures at several locations in Broken Bow.
A football game being played at Broken Bow High School was interrupted, with players, families and attendees directed to shelter. Melham Medical Center and the Becton Dickinson plant also implemented precautionary lockdown measures while the situation was being investigated.
During the response, officers developed information indicating the call may have been a potential swatting incident.
The Broken Bow Police Department describes swatting as a false report of a serious or violent emergency made to law enforcement with the intent of causing a significant police response to a particular location.
Police say officers must take reports of a shooting seriously and respond as though the reported emergency may be real until the situation can be safely investigated.
Officers ultimately confirmed the residence was unoccupied and that there were no individuals inside.
Following the investigation at the residence, police confirmed that the reported shooting had not occurred and that there was no ongoing danger to the community.
The Broken Bow Police Department thanked the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Bow Ambulance Service and Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department for their assistance and cooperation during the response.
The department also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and patience of students, families, school staff, hospital staff and community members who were affected by the precautionary measures.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting and potential swatting incident remains ongoing.
