Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett became the latest target of a malicious swatting incident Wednesday evening, when a false report of gunshots drew law enforcement to her home in Fairfax County, Virginia, local police confirmed.
The call came in around 9:02 p.m. through the department's non-emergency line, according to a statement from Fairfax County Police. Dispatchers quickly alerted responding officers that a “high priority resident of the county” lived at the address and that the report might be fabricated.
Officers coordinated with Supreme Court Police personnel assigned to Barrett’s residence and rapidly determined the call was a hoax. The department emphasized that no additional police resources were deployed beyond the initial response.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern targeting federal judges and other public officials across the political spectrum. Swatting—calling in fake emergencies to provoke a heavy police presence—has become an increasingly common harassment tactic. The practice endangers both the targets and law enforcement, as it can escalate quickly if officers are not aware of the potential for deception.
Security around Supreme Court justices has been a growing concern in recent years. In 2022, a man pleaded guilty to showing up outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home with a gun and zip ties, intending to assassinate him. Last year, police arrested a man who allegedly had over 200 explosive devices in a tent near a religious event that some justices typically attend. Prosecutors continue to bring new threats cases; just last month, an Alaska man charged with threatening to torture and assassinate justices and their families reached a plea deal.
Barrett herself has previously disclosed that her family received unsolicited pizza deliveries, a tactic meant to intimidate. Judges nationwide have reported similar incidents, prompting a U.S. Marshals Service investigation. In a related episode last year, Barrett’s sister, who lives in South Carolina, received a bomb threat, according to local law enforcement.
The Hill reached out to the Supreme Court’s public information office for comment. The swatting incident was first reported by Andrew Leyden.
These persistent threats highlight the heightened security risks faced by the judiciary, as the court continues to rule on divisive cases. The false alarm at Barrett’s home underscores the need for continued vigilance and coordination between local police and federal protective services.
