AVALON – Law enforcement personnel responded to a hoax call reporting a killing at a private home in the borough the day after receiving a hoax bomb threat call.

Borough Police Chief Jeffrey Christopher said in a press release that on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 4:22 p.m., Cape May County 911 Dispatch received a phone call from an individual who claimed a murder had been committed at a house located in the 7700 block of Dune Drive. The caller said that if police came to the home, they might also be killed.

Avalon police and the Cape May County SWAT Team went to the Dune Drive home.

Police said renters were at the home at the time and told authorities no crime had been committed. The property was searched and cleared without incident.

The incident eventually was determined to be a form of hoax called “swatting,” which refers to a call designed to bring out an emergency response, perhaps even the SWAT team, from which the term was derived.

The day before, on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10:17 a.m., county dispatch received a call reporting a bomb at a hotel located near the Dune Drive property of Sunday’s call. Avalon police responded, along with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. No bomb was found, and the building was cleared.

Avalon police and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing to investigate. Christopher said individuals identified in swatting incidents will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Anyone with any information regarding these crimes is asked to call the Avalon police at 609-967-3411.