Crime & Public Safety

Cops: ‘High’ 911 caller made up story that led to 5-hour SWAT standoff

A SWAT team was called to the Rolling Bends Apartments, Atlanta police said. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
A SWAT team was called to the Rolling Bends Apartments, Atlanta police said. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)
By Lauren Foreman and Raisa Habersham
Aug 8, 2017

A report of a barricaded gunman turned into a five-hour SWAT standoff Tuesday that ended with the 911 caller’s arrest.

Antonio Watson was charged with falsely reporting a crime after Atlanta police discovered he made up a story about two or three men breaking into his apartment and threatening him at gunpoint.

Watson, 20, reported the crime about 9 a.m. at the Rolling Bends Apartments on Etheridge Drive, police said.

“Officers on scene knocked on the door at the listed location for several minutes with no response,” Officer Stephanie Brown said. “The SWAT team was notified and responded to the possible barricaded gunman situation.”

But no suspects were found inside the apartment when officials finally entered the home.

“It was determined that Mr. Watson’s story was false,” Brown said.

Police told Channel 2 Action News that Brown was “high” when he told the tall tale. Authorities did not say what drugs Brown had taken before reporting the crime.

No one was injured.

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About the Authors

Lauren Foreman

Raisa Habersham is the Intown Atlanta hyperlocal reporter for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

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