By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Police respond en force to a “swatting” call of a man with a shotgun, that he was going to shoot people and take hostages at the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Restaurant off Hillcrest Avenue near the freeway Monday, September 28, 2026, according to Antioch Police Lt. Michael Mellone. But the restaurant was closed and it was all fake, he said.
A Con Fire engine and AMR ambulance were also on scene, according to resident Denise Cantrell who witnessed the response.
Police respond en force to a fake swatting call at the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Restaurant on Hillcrest Avenue. Photos by Denise Cantrell
According to a news release by the Antioch Police Department, which labeled the incident a “False Emergency Report,” Officers confirmed that reports of an armed person entering Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Restaurant Bar & Grill this afternoon were false. No one was hurt, and there is no threat to the public associated with this incident.
At approximately 3:42 p.m. on September 28, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received reports of an armed person entering the restaurant at 2737 Hillcrest Avenue. Officers arrived, learned the business was closed for the day, and contacted the owners to confirm the reported incident had not occurred. We thank the business owners for their help.
Police surrounded the restaurant out of precaution. Photos by Denise Cantrell
Hoax calls put community members and first responders at risk. They also tie up officers who are needed for real emergencies elsewhere in the city.
Knowingly reporting a false emergency is a crime under California Penal Code section 148.3. A person convicted can also be required to pay the reasonable costs of the emergency response.
We are actively investigating this incident and following up on leads to identify those responsible.
Anyone with information is asked to call (925) 778-2441 and reference case number 26-9324.
the attachments to this post:
APD at WTF for swatting call 092826 photos 2
APD at WTF for swatting call 092826 photos 1
False Emergency Report graphic APD
This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2026 at 10:53 pm and is filed under Dining, News, Police & Crime. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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