Police: Suspect used “spoofed” number to call in Santa Barbara shooting hoax

The Santa Barbara Police Department is learning more about a hoax call that drew a large police response Friday night in Santa Barbara.

Police say that the person who called dispatch claiming to have killed his father with an assault rifle used a “spoofed” number.

According to the Federal Communications Commission , “spoofing” occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to a caller ID display to disguise their identity.

Police pinged and contacted the number which appeared to be connected with the hoax call only to learn the person who answered was in Los Angeles and had no connection to Santa Barbara.

Police say the person who answered was “bewildered” and appears to be innocent.

Police say that with modern technology it’s not hard for a someone to spoof a phone number. There are many mobile apps that allow you to do just that.

One Santa Barbara police officer said he can’t remember the last time a hoax call like this has happened before.

Police will continue to investigate the crime. If a suspect is arrested they could face felony charges.