Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Punked? Ashton Kutcher's Home May Be Latest Site of 'swatting' Prank
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Authorities are investigating a possible home invasion robbery at the residence of actor Ashton Kutcher. But the whole thing might not be legit.Police received a call of "shots fired" and a suspected robbery; according to a live news broadcast on KCAL-9, the caller was situated inside the home, hiding in a closet.
TMZ reports the caller was a female who had locked herself in a bathroom, and that she said "several Russian men with weapons were in the house, robbing it."
In response, the LAPD sent out choppers and cops on land. Ultimately, three suspects were detained, according to City News Service.
However, TMZ suggests this could all be a prank. The gossip site says their law enforcement sources told them those detained "may be workers on the property so the whole thing could be a misunderstanding." Further complicating matters: The female 911 caller has not been located.
This kind of prank is known as "swatting," in which the perpetrator aims to get law enforcement out--especially the SWAT team--in response to an alleged serious crime. In August, Miley Cyrus was the subject of a "swatting" prank, in which a caller claimed the singer/actress had been kidnapped from her Studio City home.
UPDATED: Yup, it looks like this is another case of "swatting," law enforcement sources tell TMZ. The three men at Kutcher's home who were briefly detained were workers, and they're not considered suspects. But authorities do believe that whoever made the phony call was scoping out the property beforehand, and knew the workers were home.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
