LOS ANGELES, Authorities claim that three teens motivated by racial hate were behind hoaxes that brought major police response to the Los Angeles home of a prominent Black Lives Matter activist.
According to Los Angeles Police Department, the teenagers were 13-16 years old and connected via Discord chat. They are suspected in bomb threats and “swatting” incidents throughout the country. Swatting is a fake emergency call that’s made in order to draw police to an address.
They are accused of making two fake swatting calls at Melina Abdullah’s Los Angeles home, one in September and the other in August 2021.
Although police did not name Abdullah as a victim, they listed her block as the site of two of the swatting incidents.
Los Angeles police claimed Friday that hoaxes targeting “other online people, video gamers, activists and schools” dating back to July 2020 were being perpetrated by the teens.
Los Angeles County prosecutors will be presented with a case for criminal conspiracy and creating false emergency charges. Police also plan to request an enhancement of hate crime in connection to the incidents at Abdullah’s house.
The LAPD stated in a press release that “some of the language used during the swatting incidents” and that a review of subjects’ online activities indicated a racial motivation theme for a number these swatting attacks.
Two of the teens are from Ohio, and one is from New York. Authorities issued search warrants for them on Tuesday. The third teenager is an American citizen currently living in Cyprus.
Abdullah is a well-known police critic who has previously condemned the LAPD’s response to her home. They placed armed SWAT officers around her house and ordered her to go outside using a loudspeaker. The department is currently facing a lawsuit from her for its actions in the Aug. 12, 2020, swatting.
Abdullah stated to the Los Angeles Times on Friday that she was skeptical of the LAPD’s information about the teens. She said that the alleged actions of the teens do not excuse the tactics used by the officers at her house.
Abdullah stated that even if they were true, the LAPD used the opportunity to terrorize him and his family.
Abdullah told The Associated Press that she will be making a statement via social media when she is reached on Friday.
