BAKER, Fla. — A second teen connected to a 2023 swatting call that prompted a large law enforcement response at Baker School has been sentenced to prison, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) announced.
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The OCSO said the Texas teen, who was 14 years old at the time of the incident, was sentenced Tuesday in an Okaloosa County courtroom to four years in the Department of Corrections followed by five years of probation. Officials said the case stems from a November 2023 hoax call claiming an armed person planned to shoot students at Baker School and other campuses.
Investigators said the call triggered a “massive, immediate, and intense” response from law enforcement and first responders. Multiple schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution during the incident, according to the OCSO.
Authorities said the Texas teen was connected to a Baker teen who was also 14 at the time of the incident. The OCSO said the Baker teen was sentenced in June 2024 to four years in state prison followed by two years of probation.
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According to investigators, the swatting call was part of a broader pattern of incidents linked to an online group said to be involved in swatting calls across multiple states and Canada. The OCSO previously reported the hoax call caused widespread fear in the community and diverted emergency resources from potential legitimate calls.
“The hoax call led to a massive, immediate and intense response by law enforcement and other emergency responders, sending fear through the entire community and taking them away from potential legitimate emergencies,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden.
“This crime is no prank. It has real and dangerous consequences.”
Authorities have said the original hoax call reported an armed individual preparing to carry out a mass shooting at Baker School. The call was reportedly received by the Crestview Police Department, which helped initiate the regional response.
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Officials have emphasized the risks associated with swatting, which involves making false emergency reports to trigger law enforcement responses. According to state officials, swatting can create dangerous situations for the public, victims, and first responders.
In May 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 279, which increased penalties for false 911 calls that trigger emergency responses. The law increases penalties based on the severity of harm and requires restitution to reimburse law enforcement and compensate victims. It also increases penalties for repeat offenders.
OCSO officials and school leaders have previously urged parents to talk with their children about the consequences of making threats or false reports and to report suspicious activity to school administrators or school resource officers.
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