WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — Multiple crews responded to reports of a barricaded subject in a northwest Austin apartment unit Thursday evening, but once the unit was cleared, no subject was found inside.
The Austin Police Department reported the call began with a distressed male asking for assistance, indicating he would barricade himself inside the unit. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office responded and requested the APD's assistance.
The APD then secured the area, SWAT responded, officials cleared the unit and found no one inside. Police said the occupants of the unit were found safe elsewhere. Some residents of the apartment were asked to shelter in place while others were evacuated to a nearby clubhouse.
APD originally reported that there was a barricaded subject at the Broadstone 8 One Apartment complex, located at 8100 Anderson Mill Road. Parmer Lane was blocked off from Amber Glenn to Anderson Mill. Anderson Mill was closed from Parmer to Amasia Drive.
HERE IS A LOOK FROM THE SCENE:
A resident at the Broadstone 8 One Apartments sent KVUE this message released by the complex:
According to the APD around 7:45 p.m., SWAT was working to clear the area, open roads and allow residents back into their homes.
Police said they are still working to learn who made the distress call and they do not believe there to be a threat to the public at this time.
Sheriff Chody says this was a result of "swatting," a dangerous prank where someone fakes a 911 emergency to get police to show up at someone else's address.
"I've never seen that many cop cars at once," said Angel Tarango, a resident at the apartment complex.
"I just kept thinking about my kids – I don't want anything to happen to them," said Adriana Thomas, who lives in the complex.
Thomas' building was next to the one the officers swarmed.
"Why would you do that? You're obviously putting people – and the scenario – you don't know what's going to happen to their lives you know," said Thomas.
People are being asked that if they recognize the voice in the audio to contact Williamson County Sheriff's Office.