Judge Chutkan 'Swatted' as Audio Released of Police Response

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over Donald Trump's election interference case in Washington, D.C., was reportedly the target of a swatting call on Sunday night.

Police and fire services responded to a reported shooting at a home owned by Chutkan in the capital on Sunday, Lawfare correspondent Anna Bower wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"They found nothing," Bower wrote.

Audio from the police response was also shared on social media.

It indicates that the caller reported there were multiple victims at a home in Northwest Washington. The home identified in the call is owned by Chutkan, according to property records reviewed by Newsweek.

The D.C. Fire Department and the Metropolitan Police Department have been contacted for comment via email.

Chutkan appears to be the latest high-profile person to be the target of a swatting attempt—when a false report to emergency services is made to prompt a response at a particular address. The aim is to get authorities, particularly a SWAT team, to show up. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have been among the victims of swatting.

It comes after a Texas woman was arrested and charged last year after allegedly leaving a threatening message for Chutkan.

Abigail Jo Shry, of Alvin, Texas, called the federal courthouse in Washington and left the message for Chutkan on August 5, according to court documents.

The documents said Shry told Chutkan in the call: "You are in our sights, we want to kill you."

She also allegedly said, "If Trump doesn't get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you." She also threatened to kill Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, according to the documents.

Investigators questioned Shry at her residence on August 8, and she admitted to making the threatening call, the documents said.

Chutkan is presiding over the federal case charging Trump with plotting to overturn his 2020 election loss. A trial is currently scheduled to begin in March.

He is also facing three other criminal prosecutions, as well as a civil fraud trial that imperils his real estate empire, as he seeks to reclaim the White House.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases and has publicly attacked Chutkan and others involved in them.

In late October, Chutkan reimposed a narrow gag order barring Trump from making public comments targeting prosecutors, court staff and potential witnesses.

Update 1/8/24, 8:39 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.