03/27/2026
We are back open now. Thank you for your cooperation during this unexpected matter.
************************MEDIA RELEASE**********************
On Friday, March 27, 2026, at approximately 11:21 a.m., the Racine County Communications Center received a telephone call from an individual claiming there were numerous explosives at a location near Hwy 11 and 99th Street in the Village of Sturtevant. The caller stated there were fi****ms involved, at three people were dead, and that hostages were being held. The dispatcher also reported hearing screaming in the background during the call.
In response, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple assisting law enforcement and emergency agencies, immediately responded to the area and conducted an extensive search of surrounding businesses. No victims were located, and there were no signs of any crime or criminal activity.
Agencies involved in the response included:
• Racine County Sheriff’s Office (including the Racine County SWAT Team)
• Mount Pleasant Police Department
• Caledonia Police Department
• Racine Police Department
• Wisconsin State Patrol
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• Kenosha Sheriff’s Office
• South Shore Fire Department
• Ascension Healthcare System (activated mass-casualty protocols)
• Aurora Healthcare System (activated mass-casualty protocols)
The incident was later determined to be a false report, commonly known as a “swatting” incident.
The Racine County Sheriff’s Office takes all such reports seriously due to the potential risk to public safety and the significant resources required to respond. Swatting incidents divert critical emergency resources from real emergencies and place a heavy burden on law enforcement and first responders.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Racine County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Andrew Sparks at [email protected]
Christopher Schmaling
Sheriff, Racine County
By: Lt. Jon Massie
Acting Public Information Officer