Shelter-in-Place Issued at Inver Hills Community College After Possible Swatting Incident
Text alert of Shelter-In-Place that was sent out for Inver Hills Community College.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA - A shelter-in-place was briefly ordered at Inver Hills Community College on Wednesday afternoon, September 10, 2025, after a false report of a potentially armed individual prompted a safety response from both campus security and local police.
According to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, officers were dispatched at 2:36 p.m. to the 2500 block of 80th Street following a call from a male claiming he was armed with a firearm and in crisis. Given the report’s close proximity to nearby schools and the college campus, safety protocols were immediately enacted.
Limitless Media learned about the shelter-in-place order at the college after we received several messages from students who had received alerts to shelter in place.
Shelter-in-Place on Campus
The Inver Hills Community College Department of Public Safety confirmed that a shelter-in-place directive was issued after reports suggested an individual might have a weapon in a vehicle parked on campus. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution, and no individuals were harmed during the incident.
Working in partnership, law enforcement and campus security quickly investigated and determined the threat was unfounded. Police later discovered the call did not originate from the area. Evidence strongly suggests the incident was a case of “swatting” — a criminal hoax in which a false emergency report is made to provoke a large armed response. Investigators believe the call came from California.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities stressed that there was no credible danger to the public. The Inver Grove Heights Police Department confirmed that the investigation remains active, but emphasized that their findings indicate no ongoing threat.
Chief Melissa Chiodo of Inver Grove Heights Police thanked ISD 199 and Inver Hills Community College for their cooperation in keeping students and staff safe. Similarly, Chris Hofmann, Public Safety Director at Inver Hills, said in an email to students that was shared with Limitless Media, praising the swift law enforcement response and stating that additional safety and preparedness training will be shared with the campus community in the coming days.
Understanding Swatting
Swatting incidents, which have been increasing at schools and colleges across the country, involve fabricated reports of emergencies such as active shooters, hostage situations, or bomb threats. The goal is to trigger a large, urgent law enforcement response. Officials warn that while no one was injured Wednesday, such hoaxes waste critical resources and create significant distress in the community.
Support for Students and Staff
Recognizing the emotional toll such incidents can have, Inver Hills Community College encouraged students and staff to reach out to the campus counseling department for additional support.
“This event was distressing, but we are grateful for the professionalism of our Public Safety team and our partners in law enforcement,” Hofmann said in his email. “Campus safety remains our top priority.”
Written by: Will Wight
