The sheriff’s office was given a name, address and vehicle description Saturday night.
>> Live Doppler 7 Radar | INTERACTIVE
The man was found at his Washington Twp. home, but Beavercreek police did not have any charges and did not ask deputies to detain the man.
Police are not confirming that there is a person of interest and have not released the 911 call.
EARLIER REPORT:
Beavercreek police are looking for the person who made a prank 911 call reporting shots fired and that people were being held hostage at a church this weekend.
The call came in just before 9 p.m. Saturday night when the caller said there was a shooting and hostage situation at the Dayton SHOP (Student House of Prayer).
Radio traffic indicating that police were told one or two people had been shot and that additional hostages were inside the building.
>> LOCAL NEWS: Man missing in Yellow Springs tied to accidental fatal shooting
One officer described seeing a vehicle apparently fleeing from the area as crews arrived.
The door was locked, but officers were able to contact SHOP’s director and learned that no one was injured or being held hostage.
The officers also made sure the Agape Family Worship Center across the street was clear after someone came to unlock the doors.
Police surrounded both places of worship with weapons drawn and set up a perimeter to check for any gunman or victims in the area.
“We went ahead and cleared the area, cleared a couple more businesses in the area,” said Sgt. Nick Amato with the Beavercreek Police Department.
>> LOCAL NEWS: Crashes reported around the Miami Valley
Jack McComas, the director of the Dayton SHOP also came to the scene to let everyone know that his building was clear.
“All of our friends and family they were calling and checking on us and really appreciate that,” he said. “No one is hurt, no one is injured, there were no hostages, there were no shootings. We believe it was probably a prank call.”
Police gave the all clear for both buildings less than two hours after first arriving on scene, but taking that many officers can keep them from doing their jobs.
“It’s a lot of man power and it more or less penalizes the community because we’re not out there doing what we need to do,” said Amato.
Amato says Beavercreek police are still investigating who called in the report of a shooter and hostage situation, but whoever it is, they could face jail time.
>> LOCAL NEWS: Montgomery Co. Sheriff, team provides A.L.I.C.E. Training to Brookville Schools
“There could be several charges, inducing panic comes to mind, but at this point it’s going to take some time,” he said.
This publication has requested the 911 call, but police have not released it yet.
About the Author