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Dear UTC Community,
I want to share an important update regarding the Aug. 21, 2025, swatting incident that affected our campus.
On April 30, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that federal charges have been filed against a juvenile in connection with that incident, as well as similar hoaxes targeting dozens of universities and hospitals across the country in the days and weeks that followed.
As you will recall, the false report prompted an immediate and significant multi-agency emergency response here at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as our law enforcement partners acted swiftly to ensure the safety of our community.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal prosecutors, the individual charged is a self-identified member of a cybercriminal group and had no affiliation with UTC or the other institutions that were targeted.
Incidents like this are deeply disruptive, and I know many of you felt the impact in very real ways. As part of the legal process, those affected have an opportunity to share how this incident impacted them. I encourage members of our campus community—as well as family and friends who were affected—to consider submitting a victim impact statement. These statements may be included in the legal proceedings, and the FBI keeps all victim identities confidential.
To participate, please complete the Victim Impact Information for University Swatting Incidents form here: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/university-swattings/view
Because this case involves a juvenile, there are legal limitations on what additional information can be shared at this time under the Juvenile Delinquency Act. If you have questions specifically about the victim impact statement process, please contact our Department of Public Safety at dps@utc.edu.
I remain grateful to our campus community for your cooperation during the Aug. 21 incident and to our local, state, and federal partners for their continued commitment to safety and accountability. We will continue to prioritize your safety and well-being in all that we do.
Sincerely,
Lori Mann Bruce,
Chancellor
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
