By Sara Beth Williams–
An alleged shooter in the area of Target on Sunrise Boulevard Saturday evening prompted a large police response, as authorities investigated what was later determined to be a hoax.
Officers with the Citrus Heights Police Department responded just before 6:30 p.m. to a reported threat that included a claim of a possible sniper positioned across the street from the store, according to a Folsom Times report.
Out of an abundance of caution, all employees and customers inside the store were evacuated.
Police deployed a wide range of resources, including a K-9 unit and an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) was launched to help canvas rooftops. After a search of the building, no armed suspect was found, and there was no threat to the public.
Later Saturday evening, the Citrus Heights Police Department issued a statement in a local Facebook community group confirming the threat was not credible.
“CHPD responded to a reported threat at Target on Sunrise Blvd this evening. Out of an abundance of caution, the store was safely evacuated. The threat was determined not credible, and is being investigated as a ‘swatting’ hoax. Thank you to our community for your cooperation,” the department said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
