In a disturbing trend of celebrity swatting, the residence of renowned rapper Nicki Minaj in the San Fernando Valley has been targeted for the second time by an anonymous prankster, according to law enforcement sources.
Swatting, a malicious act of making prank emergency calls to elicit an aggressive response from law enforcement, has been increasingly prevalent among celebrities in Los Angeles. This recent incident at Minaj's home involved a false 911 call claiming a shooting at her residence. The Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies responded promptly, arriving at the scene with sirens blaring and lights flashing.
Upon their arrival, the deputies found a frustrated Minaj, who was assured that it was a false alarm. The incident is now being investigated as another swatting prank. This is not the first time Minaj has been a victim of such a situation. Last month, her residence was the target of a false 911 call alleging child abuse, followed by another call falsely reporting a fire at her house.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, working to identify the perpetrator behind this malicious prank. Swatting is a serious crime that carries severe consequences, including potential jail time and hefty fines.
The offense is not only a waste of valuable police resources but also poses a serious threat to public safety. Each time law enforcement mobilizes in response to such calls, they are diverted from genuine emergencies, potentially putting lives at risk. According to recent studies, the prank can also cause a long-term psychological toll on the targeted victims.
Celebrities have often been targeted in swatting incidents due to their high-profile status and media attention. Celebs such as Miley Cyrus, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, Tom Cruise, Rihanna, and Justin Timberlake have all been targeted with these calls.
However, this disturbing trend is not exclusive to Hollywood — ordinary citizens have also fallen victim to swatting pranks, with some incidents leading to serious injuries and even death. According to the Associated Press, officials have identified swatting calls to about 250 colleges and universities, 100 high schools, and several junior high schools since early June. The calls included false claims of explosive devices on campuses or school shootings.
The FBI released a statement that the agency was monitoring the situation, assuring the public that they will continue to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to their attention.