Police in Florida say reports of a shooting at the home of rapper Lil Wayne were a hoax.
The incident briefly spun the media into a frenzy as reports emerged of four people shot at the home of the rap superstar, however Miami police now believe the incident was a 'swatting'.
Swatting is a prank that sees the perpetrator trick an emergency service into arriving at a scene, preferably armed to the teeth.
MBPD handles all calls of this nature in a serious manner . In this case it appears to have be a hoax @ #LiLWaynes home . #Swatting
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 11, 2015
Officers surrounded the rapper's mansion earlier today after receiving a call to a non-emergency number claiming that four people had been shot at the property.
Lil Wayne's record label tweeted shortly after reports emerged, to say the rapper wasn't there at the time.
Miami police speculated early on that it could be a 'swatting' incident, even tweeting this suspicion before formally announcing it.
"Swatting" is a possibility but MBPD does not take chances when responding to these types of calls.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 11, 2015
The police surrounded the home and investigated the scene (tweeting as they went, it seems).
#update breaking down the perimeter . All clear .
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 11, 2015
Speaking to press at the scene, Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami police said: "At 12:40 in the afternoon we received a call on a non-emergency line. The individual advised us he had shot four people [at the residence] and requested police assistance. At this point we have not located any victims."
The police soon announced it was a hoax, with an interesting use of the word "unfortunately".
#UPDATE unfortunately this appears to be a "Swatting" call. No victims /no injuries /no subject at 94 LaGorce.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 11, 2015
Lil Wayne’s record label Young Money tweeted that the rapper was not hurt during any alleged event, before police announced it was a hoax.
Wayne is okay. Wasn't home during alleged events.
— Young Money (@YoungMoneySite) March 11, 2015
