Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s home was the target of a swatting incident on Christmas day.
The Boston Police Department were called to respond to a shooting and hostage situation at Wu’s Roslindale residence around 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
“A man told officials that he shot his wife at an address in Roslindale, and that she was tied up, along with a man, in the house,” WBUR reports.
Police officers realized it was the mayor’s house, and the emergency call was fake.
Wu said it was shocking to open the door to so many ‘flashing lights.’
“For better or worse, my family are a bit used to it by now, and we have a good system with the department,” Wu told WBUR.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s home is ‘swatted’ on Christmas Day by caller claiming man shot wife inside — just weeks after holding ‘Electeds of Color Holiday Party’ https://t.co/svIPB78jLB pic.twitter.com/Ou9OBIG59J
— New York Post (@nypost) December 27, 2023
WBUR reports:
Wu says her home has been the subject a handful of swatting calls since she was sworn in as mayor in November 2021. She considers the incidents a misuse of public resources.
“When there are true emergencies that happen and there are resources being deployed in this way, it is concerning,” said Wu.
It’s unclear if this swatting call is related to previous incidents. Boston police are still investigating.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's home is 'swatted' on Christmas Day https://t.co/GcQJtneVDV via @MailOnline
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) December 27, 2023
The New York Post added:
It is not clear if Wu’s two young sons, whom she shares with her husband Conor Pewarski, were in the home at the time of the call.
Wu has been under fire after it was revealed she was the host of an “Electeds of Color Holiday Party,” earlier this month.
A staffer inside city hall accidentally sent the party invitation to all city councilors instead of just the non-white members.
The Boston City Council is comprised of six minority and seven white members.
“I did send that to everyone by accident, and I apologize if my email may have offended or came across as so,” Denise DosSantos, director of City Council relations wrote in a follow-up message fifteen minutes after the errant email. “Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”
Wu defended the party hours before the elected officials were set to gather, saying it had become a yearly tradition for the “diverse” group to celebrate the holidays together and each person takes turns hosting.
Multiple congressional Republicans and conservative figures were swatted on or around Christmas.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) were swatted on Christmas day.
Human Events Senior Editor Jack Posobiec said his family was swatted "again" on Christmas day.
A Democrat Mayor has been 'Swatted'. Maybe now the @FBI will do something about this dangerous situation. FBI has done nothing when it happens to GOP, Conservative media, or Jewish groups. https://t.co/F2aaQQo2aK
— Proud Deplorable Ultra MAGA (@LoriBlaney) December 27, 2023
"Boston’s Mayor got swatted. I can’t stand this divisive, woke racist, but I absolutely condemn this act of political terrorism. Swatting is attempted murder & its perpetrators should serve 15 year *minimum* sentences in federal prison. It’s a cold blooded act of violence and should be treated as such. Law enforcement agencies need to develop technologies and protocols to address this growing threat before someone gets killed," DC Draino commented.
Boston’s Mayor got swatted
I can’t stand this divisive, woke racist, but I absolutely condemn this act of political terrorism
Swatting is attempted murder & its perpetrators should serve 15 year *minimum* sentences in federal prison
It’s a cold blooded act of violence and… https://t.co/k7S6g9OuCY
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) December 27, 2023