Authorities say a report that someone had been fatally shot and that two people were being held hostage inside a Standish home Sunday evening was a hoax.

Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said the hoax call made to a 911 dispatcher is likely a case of “swatting,” a phenomenon that has been occurring on the West Coast.

Joyce said the culprits typically use computers to communicate to police a false report of an emergency situation in order to get a tactical squad to respond. The purpose could be to play a prank on or get retribution against the people living at the address reported to police.

On Sunday, a dispatcher for the Standish Police Department said he received a call around 8 p.m. that a man had barricaded himself inside a home at 333 Bonny Eagle Road. The dispatcher said the man reported that he had shot his girlfriend and that the girlfriend’s parents were being held hostage.

When about 40 officers – including state game wardens, state and local police, and the county tactical team – arrived at the home, the family that lives there had no idea what was going on. Joyce said a man, woman and several children were inside the residence.

“They were shocked that we were there,” Joyce said. “But we could find no evidence of anything suspicious going on.”

Joyce said the police response will probably cost “thousands of dollars.” The individuals behind the hoax could face criminal charges, but Joyce was not certain what crimes they could be charged with.