'Swatting' Call Of Armed Man On George Washington Bridge: Police

FORT LEE, NJ — An anonymous caller told authorities late Wednesday that he was armed with a rifle on the lower level of the George Washington Bridge. Multiple police officers responded, trying to find the caller, yet all efforts were unsuccessful, Fort Lee Police Captain Edward M. Young said.

It was later determined that this was a "swatter" call, after the caller revealed that he was outside of the U.S. and then congratulated emergency services for their response, Young said.

"Swatting," Young said, is when a person makes a fake call to elicit a law enforcement response.

Fort Lee police dispatch first received the call and immediately notified the Port Authority Police Department, because the bridge is in its jurisdiction, police said.

Port Authority then established an Incident Command Post, and called in additional resources, including Fort Lee police, to assist with the investigation, police said.

Any further questions shall be directed to Port Authority police, Young said.