Influencers Targeted in Dangerous Swatting Incidents Amid Ongoing Investigations

NEW YORK — Larry Taunton, a conservative influencer from Alabama, experienced a terrifying encounter in the early hours of Sunday when police responded to a false emergency call at his home. Around 1 a.m., he was awakened by his dog, Ranger, alerting him to a potential danger. As Taunton grabbed his firearm and ventured cautiously into the dark kitchen, he was confronted by three police officers armed and ready for action.

The incident transpired after authorities received a phone call claiming that three men in hoodies were ‘executing everybody’ within Taunton’s residence. Upon realizing he had been ‘swatted,’ Taunton recounted, “I’m thinking, if that man comes through my door, I’m going to light him up. Because you’re just thinking, ‘Somebody’s here to murder me and my wife.’”

Swatting, a dangerous prank that involves fake emergency calls to provoke police responses, has recently plagued several conservative influencers, with Taunton being among at least a dozen targeted in just two weeks. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are now investigating these incidents, which have escalated anxiety among those affected. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem expressed her commitment to identifying those responsible, stating on X, “We will prosecute it as such.”

Among the other victims is Erin Derham, who experienced a similar scare in North Carolina. At 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, loud banging at her door alerted her to a law enforcement presence. Derham had anticipated the possibility of being targeted due to similar reports involving other influencers. However, nothing could prepare her for the sight of armed officers at her door. “I found out later four police officers and cars came to our house,” she said, recounting the overwhelming situation.

According to Derham, the false caller impersonated her husband, Mat Van Swol, claiming that Derham had been killed and that Van Swol himself had been shot. “I felt like I was going to pass out most of the time that they were in the house,” she recalled, revealing the trauma of the experience. Swatting is not merely a prank; it has deadly consequences, with documented incidents leading to serious injury and loss of life.

FBI Director Kash Patel has called the practice morally objectionable, stating that weaponizing law enforcement against any American will not be tolerated. Erin Derham and her family have faced continued harassment since the swatting incident, including bizarre pizza deliveries at all hours, seemingly part of an intimidation campaign. “This was humiliating and terrifying,” she reported.

Influencers like Taunton and Van Swol remain resolved to continue their public engagements despite the fear caused by these incidents. “To the person/entity swatting people … you are not changing hearts and minds by doing this,” Van Swol stated. His determination echoes a shared sentiment among victims who see these acts as forms of suppression against conservative voices.