Wave of Swatting Incidents Targets Social Media Influencers Over Past Week

March 14, 2025 – 04:45 AM MST - In a disturbing trend over the past week, several social media influencers, particularly those with conservative leanings, have become targets of swatting—a dangerous hoax involving false emergency reports designed to provoke a heavy police response. As of today, March 14, 2025, reports circulating on X indicate that at least four prominent online personalities have been affected, raising alarms about coordinated harassment campaigns and their real-world consequences.

Swatting, a criminal act where perpetrators make fraudulent calls to law enforcement claiming serious emergencies like shootings or hostage situations, has spiked in visibility this week. The incidents have primarily impacted influencers known for their outspoken political views, with events unfolding rapidly between March 12 and March 13, 2025. While details remain fluid and official confirmations are pending, posts on X have shed light on the unfolding crisis.

Among the reported victims is Gunther Eagleman, a conservative influencer who was allegedly swatted at his home on March 13. According to posts on X, the incident involved a false report that prompted police to descend on his residence, though no injuries were reported. Eagleman’s experience mirrors a broader pattern, as other influencers, including Nick Sortor, Chase Geiser, and Shawn Farash, have also been named in similar swatting claims over the past 24 to 48 hours. Sortor and Geiser, both active conservative voices online, reportedly faced emergency responses at their homes, while Farash, known for his provocative content, was cited in a breaking news alert on X as part of this wave.

The timing and targets suggest a possible coordinated effort, though no definitive evidence has emerged to confirm this speculation. Posts on X have called for urgent action from the FBI and Department of Justice, with users expressing outrage over what they perceive as attempts to intimidate or harm these influencers. “Influencers on the conservative right are getting coordinated swatting calls to their homes in an attempt to get them hurt or killed,” one user wrote, tagging Eagleman, Geiser, and Sortor. Another post described the situation as a “swatting crisis,” urging federal investigation into the pattern.

Swatting is not a new phenomenon—its roots trace back to the early 2000s, with the FBI first issuing public warnings in 2008—but its resurgence against high-profile online figures has reignited concerns. The hoax calls waste law enforcement resources, endanger responding officers, and place targets at significant risk, as seen in past tragedies like the 2017 death of Andrew Finch in Wichita, Kansas, during a swatting response. This week’s incidents underscore the ongoing challenge of tracing perpetrators, who often use technology like voice-over-IP services and caller ID spoofing to mask their identities.

While the past week’s events appear concentrated among conservative influencers, swatting has historically crossed ideological lines, targeting celebrities, streamers, and politicians alike. Just months ago, in late 2024, public figures such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows faced similar hoaxes, often tied to political flashpoints. The current wave, however, has sparked particular alarm due to its apparent focus and frequency within days.

Law enforcement responses to this week’s incidents remain underreported in official channels as of early March 14, leaving much of the narrative driven by real-time updates on X. Influencers affected have yet to release detailed public statements, though the online community has rallied in support, decrying the attacks as cowardly and dangerous. The FBI, which launched a national swatting database in May 2024 to track such incidents, has not commented specifically on these cases but has previously emphasized its commitment to investigating threats that “put innocent people at risk.”

As the story develops, questions linger about the motives behind this spree—whether personal grudges, political retaliation, and how authorities will curb this escalating threat. For now, the influencers targeted are left grappling with the fallout, and their followers are amplifying calls for justice in a digital age where online feuds can spill violently into the real world. 17GEN4.com