WALL — Authorities say a hoax emergency call triggered a large police response and evacuation Sunday at a science and history museum hosting a major technology conference.
The Wall Township Police Department said its 911 Public Safety Answering Point received a call around 2:13 p.m. from an unidentified person reporting a serious incident at the InfoAge Science and History Museum on Marconi Road.
At the time, the site was hosting a three-day information technology conference with about 500 people in attendance, police said.
Officers quickly responded, secured the area and evacuated all attendees as a precaution. Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including explosive detection K9 units from Wall, Manasquan, Brick, Marlboro and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.
After conducting a thorough search of the property’s buildings, authorities determined the call was a “swatting” incident — a false report designed to prompt a large-scale emergency response.
Police said swatting involves deliberately making fake reports of life-threatening situations to draw significant law enforcement presence, often creating disruption and potential danger.
No injuries were reported.
The Wall Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Spinapont at 732-449-4500 ext. 1198 or via email at jspinapont@wallpolice.org
