Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Targeted in Swatting Attempt
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett was the target of a swatting incident at her home in Virginia on the evening of Wednesday, May 27, 2026. A caller falsely reported gunshots at her address, prompting a law enforcement response.
Swatting is a criminal act in which a perpetrator makes a hoax emergency call often reporting violence such as an active shooter or hostage situation to trigger a SWAT or heavily armed police response to an innocent person’s address.
Dispatch audio from the incident noted the address belonged to a high-priority resident with 24-hour security. Officers were advised of the possibility of a swatting situation after they could not reach the caller for callback verification. Responding units coordinated directly with Barrett’s security detail on scene. Security personnel reported no disturbances, and officers confirmed there was no emergency or threat. The scene was cleared without incident.
This event is the latest in a series of documented threats against Justice Barrett and her family. In March 2025, her sister Amanda Coney Williams in Charleston, South Carolina, was targeted with a hoax bomb threat. An email claimed a pipe bomb had been placed in Williams’ mailbox and was signed “Free Palestine.” Police responded, searched the area, and confirmed it was a false alarm with no device found.
Threats, doxxing, protests at justices’ homes, and swatting attempts have increased in recent years, particularly following contentious Supreme Court decisions. Federal law enforcement, including U.S. Marshals, provides enhanced protection for justices and their families.
Swatting public officials is treated seriously under federal law and can be prosecuted as a felony, sometimes as a form of domestic terrorism or stalking, due to the potential for deadly outcomes when armed officers respond to fabricated emergencies.
No arrests have been announced in connection with the swatting of Justice Barrett’s home, and authorities have not released additional details about the caller. The investigation remains ongoing.
