Police storm gamer’s office after hoaxer claimed he had shot co-workers

AN online gamer who was live streaming himself to 3000 followers became the latest victim in the dangerous new ‘Swatting’ craze.

Supplied Entertainment Swatting attack caught on webcam

THOUSANDS of people watched on as a heavily armed SWAT team stormed a man’s office and arrested him following a fake report of a mass shooting, in the latest example of a dangerous new internet prank.

Jordan Mathewson was playing the multi-person shooter game Counter Strike: Global Offensive at his Denver workplace yesterday and live streaming his game to an online audience.

The online gaming company executive was about to restart his session after his character died.

Next minute, a team of police officers swarmed his office, handcuffed him and threw him to the floor, following a hoax report of a mass shooting inside the building.

“Swatting” is a dangerous new phenomenon that sees pranksters phone in shootings or bomb threats, leaving the unsuspecting victims to deal with the heavy police response that follows.

The bizarre craze has targeted ordinary citizens as well as Hollywood celebrities, including Justin Beiber and the Kardashian family.

Mathewson’s incident was caught live on webcam and broadcast to an audience of about 3,000.

In a video later posted on YouTube, Mathewson can be seen removing his headphones and saying “I think we’re being Swatted”.

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He later told reporters he could hear officers smashing their way through surrounding offices looking for the non-existent gunman.

The vision shows several heavily armed police officers burst in to the room and scream for him to get on the ground.

“I knew almost right away what exactly was happening,” he told Denver’s 7 News.

“But I was still frightened, you know. Having some guns pointed at you isn’t exactly the most common thing.”

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The person who called authorities claimed to be a gunman who had shot dead two co-workers and was holding others hostage.

“He stated that if the officers entered he would shoot them as well,” a statement from police said.

“There were no victims or any evidence that a shooting had taken place. If the investigation determines that today’s incident was a hoax, those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Dag nabbit that was dern sure an experience. I am all Ok though. Thanks for all the supportive tweets everyone

— Kootra (@Kootra) August 27, 2014

Mathewson took to Twitter after being released by police to thank his followers for their messages of support.

The false report caused the lock down of surrounding schools and businesses, authorities said.

An anonymous Twitter user quickly claimed responsibility for the hoax and later told a journalist that FBI agents had raided his home within hours.