UPDATE: Seneca Falls Police Chief Timothy Snyder released the following information regarding the Friday morning incident:
Seneca Falls Police responded to a report of an active shooter at the Hampton Inn at approximately 7:35 a.m. Officers arrived within two minutes, evacuated patrons, and conducted a thorough search of the building and the surrounding area. All guests were safely relocated across the street.
As a precaution, Seneca Falls and Waterloo schools were placed on “Secure,” with elementary schools operating on a two-hour delay.
After a full investigation, authorities determined the call was a “swatting” incident—a false emergency report designed to provoke a law enforcement response. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported.
“This practice is not only dangerous but also illegal,” said Chief Snyder. “Swatting creates unnecessary chaos, diverts emergency resources, and puts innocent people at risk.” Detectives are actively investigating the source of the false call, and charges are expected.
The department thanked the public for their cooperation and noted that multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Waterloo Police, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca Falls Fire Department, North Seneca Ambulance, and the Seneca County 911 Center.
Police say two emergency calls reporting active shooters at Hampton Inn hotels in Penn Yan and Seneca Falls this morning were unfounded.
The first call came in to Yates County 911 at about 7:30 a.m., claiming that 14 people had been shot at the Mace Street hotel in Penn Yan. Dispatchers attempted to ask clarifying questions, but the caller hung up. Penn Yan Police responded immediately and found no evidence of a shooting.
A short time later, Seneca County 911 received a similar call about the Hampton Inn in Seneca Falls. A large police response shut down Balsey Road for about an hour, but again, no evidence of a shooting was found.
As a precaution, schools in Seneca Falls and Waterloo went into lockout. The lockouts have since been lifted.
Authorities say the calls appear to be hoaxes, and police in both counties are continuing to investigate.
A similar call of an active shooter was made to the Hampton Inn in Penn Yan in November 2023, which brought a large police presence to the Yates County village. The person police say was responsible for making that call was arrested in May of 2024
This is a developing story, and we will continue to update as more information is made available.
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