SFA Releases Statements In Response To Alleged 'Swatting'

If you've been on Facebook over the past few days, there's a very good chance that you've seen posts from various news outlets about an alleged 'swatting' that took place on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University on September 14th. There are a lot of different takes on this case, some painting SFA in a negative light, some in a positive light, some upset with how the SFA Police Department handled the situation, and many other opinions. Now, if you don't know what the term 'swatting' means, the Marriam-Webster dictionary website describes it like this:

To make a false report of an ongoing serious crime in order to elicit a response from law enforcement (such as the dispatch of a SWAT unit)

Yes, this is a very serious thing to deal with. Not only is it illegal - filing a false report - but it can be very, very dangerous for all parties involved. While the investigation is still ongoing, SFA has released a couple of statements in response to the events on the night in question. Both statements were also posted on the Stephen F. Austin State University Facebook page. The first statement was from John Fields, the Chief of Police at SFA. It was released yesterday. This was his statement:

The university is investigating a racially diverse group of students in an incident involving a false report to the University Police Department. The students will be held accountable for their actions at every possible level.

A message from John Fields, chief of police for SFA’s University Police Department:
Posted by Stephen F. Austin State University on Monday, September 28, 2020

The second statement came from Dr. Scott Gordon, President of SFA. His statement was released just a few hours after Chief of Police Fields' statement yesterday. Dr. Gordon's statement can be read below:

I have been briefed on the incident that took place on September 14th and want everyone to know that SFA takes this matter very seriously. Filing a false report violates the SFA Code of Conduct and potentially violates the law as well. The investigation and judicial processes take time. I want to urge everyone to withhold judgement until the conclusion of our investigation and process. I have directed staff to be thorough and keep me apprised throughout this investigation. Each perpetrator will be dealt with appropriately.
My heart goes out to the young lady who was an innocent victim in this matter. We will do all we can to support her and her family through this heinous ordeal.
We will not have this at SFA!