The Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a swatting incident.
On Wednesday February 25, 2026, UOV officers responded to a report of threats indicating that someone had been shot in Barry’s Bay. Multiple resources, including members of the Emergency Response Team, were deployed to the area. After a thorough search and investigation, officers confirmed that everyone was safe and that there was no risk to public safety. The incident is now being investigated as a possible swatting.
Swatting is the act of deliberately making a false or misleading emergency report to police or other first responders with the intent of provoking an urgent, high‑risk response to a specific location.
The safety of our communities is the OPP’s top priority in every case. Officers respond based on the information available, and significant resources are deployed to ensure public safety until a situation is confirmed to be safe.
False or misleading emergency calls divert critical resources. When police, fire, or paramedic units are sent to a fabricated incident, those same resources are not available to respond to real emergencies where lives may depend on a timely response.
Placing a false emergency call is a serious criminal offence. The OPP reminds the public that making a false report to any emergency service is an offence under the Criminal Code. Individuals responsible for these incidents can face significant charges, both in Canada and internationally.
Swatting incidents put the public and first responders at unnecessary risk. These deliberate hoaxes can create high risk situations and undermine community trust, and they will be fully investigated.
Cranton,Sgt.E.,OPP Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment(2026,Feb.26) SWATTING INCIDENT IN BARRY’S BAY [media release]