Suspected swatting call prompts evacuation near University of Illinois auditorium

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) – A suspected “swatting” call led to the evacuation of people around Foellinger Auditorium at the University of Illinois on Wednesday evening.

U of I police said they were called around 6:45 p.m. after a person said he had guns and pipe bombs at the auditorium.

Police said Thursday the call was a “false emergency.”

But as a precaution, the area was evacuated and an Illini-Alert was sent out. A little more than an hour later, an all-clear was given.

Police said they didn’t find any evidence of a credible threat and could not find evidence that the caller was local to the Champaign-Urbana area.

Swatting is when a person calls for help to provoke a heavy police response, but there is no actual emergency.

Police are still investigating Wednesday’s call.