Markham High School Evacuated After Swatting Call

Police investigating hoax threat that allegedly came from Los Angeles

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:02pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a weathered landline telephone handset against a stark black background, conceptually representing the disruption caused by a swatting hoax call.A hoax emergency call triggers a disruptive school evacuation, highlighting the growing problem of swatting incidents.Los Angeles Today

York Regional Police are investigating a swatting incident that led to the evacuation of a high school in Markham, Ontario. The threatening phone call reportedly originated from Los Angeles, marking the second such incident at the school this year.

Why it matters

Swatting incidents, where hoax emergency calls are made to provoke a large police response, have become an increasing problem in recent years. These types of hoaxes can cause significant disruption and fear in communities, and divert valuable law enforcement resources away from real emergencies.

The details

On Tuesday morning, a threatening phone call was made to Markham District High School, prompting an evacuation of the building. Police later determined the call originated from Los Angeles, the second such incident at the school in 2026. Swatting calls are illegal and can result in criminal charges, as they divert law enforcement resources and put people at risk.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • This was the second swatting call targeting the Markham high school this year.

The players

York Regional Police

The police force investigating the swatting incident at the Markham high school.

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What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the source of the hoax call and determine if any charges will be laid.

The takeaway

Swatting incidents like this one highlight the need for stronger measures to prevent and respond to these types of hoaxes, which can have serious consequences for schools, law enforcement, and the broader community.