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CRIME Crank shooting call likely a case of 'SWAT-ing,' Medford police say Incident locks down Black Bear Diner for two hours while police search Best Western Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 19, 2015 at 5:26 PM Updated Oct 19, 2015 at 5:39 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 19, 2015 at 5:26 PM Updated Oct 19, 2015 at 5:39 PM » Social News Armed police conducted a tense room-by-room search of a southeast Medford motel this afternoon after a report that a man had shot his girlfriend there, but the call turned out to be a hoax. No one was hurt during the two-hour ordeal at the Best Western Inn, which was an example of what police call "SWAT-ing," or calling in potentially violent but fake threats in hopes of luring a SWAT team to the scene. Seventeen Medford police officers handled the case, and no SWAT team was called in today, though firefighters and ambulances were on alert to assist if needed, and the adjacent Black Bear Diner was on lockdown for nearly two hours. "It's very frustrating," Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said. "Basically, we had to clear each room one by one. People were really shaken, very scared and rightfully so. "It looks like a case of SWAT-ing," he said. While officers went room to room, investigators learned of a nearly identical hoax in Michigan in the past week, Budreau said. They were looking into potential leads to trace the phone used in the call and eventually track the caller, and initially they were not focusing on this call being placed locally. "Why they chose Medford on this day and this time is unknown," Budreau said. If found, the caller faces criminal charges that include initiating a false report and disorderly conduct, Budreau said. There were 31 rooms rented this afternoon at the two-story motel, and a team of up to eight officers searched and cleared those rooms first before checking unrented rooms, Budreau said. Budreau said about a half-dozen people were in their rooms when armed police summoned them out, including one man seen with his hands raised high as he approached officers. Those who chose to stay in their rooms were allowed, Budreau said. The faux standoff was played out for rubbernecking Barnett Road motorists and Black Bear Diner patrons such as Micheala Van Slee, a British Columbia resident in Medford to visit her son. Van Slee said some patrons sipped free coffee and noshed on free pie while others used their smartphones to dial up media coverage of the suspected standoff and even tap into police scanners. "We were just sitting and watching and wondering what was going on," Van Slee said. "It was quite an experience, but nothing panicky." The case began at 2:09 p.m. when a man identifying himself only with a first name called a non-emergency number in the regional dispatch center, saying he had shot his girlfriend, was going to shoot his two children and he wanted a police negotiator, Budreau said. The caller identified the motel, but did not say what room he was in and hung up the phone, Budreau said. "We had to take it seriously," Budreau said. After setting up perimeters, investigators suspected a possible hoax and peeled some officers off to patrol other portions of Medford and handle calls before the incident was deemed unfounded just after 4 p.m. "We had 17 officers on this who should have been doing other work," Budreau said. The only thing officers found askew was one unregistered dog in a room, Budreau said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 19, 2015 at 5:26 PM Updated Oct 19, 2015 at 5:39 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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