Deputies swarm Orange County home after hoax caller claims to have shot mother

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies swarmed an Orange County neighborhood after someone called 911 claiming to have shot his or her mother Tuesday morning, officials said.

"The person that did the calling, they should get him and put he or she in jail,” neighbor Olga de Jesus said.

Within an hour, after deputies cleared the home, the sheriff’s office said it deemed the call a hoax.

“Nothing this big in the three years I've been here,” neighbor Laura Berkley said. “I could hear (them) on their intercom thing, telling the person, you know, ‘Come out with your hands up! Stand down!”

Deputies said no one was inside the home at the time. They spoke with the victim, who was not at the scene and was uninjured.

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Deputies said the call to report a shooting came in at 10:50 a.m.

Deputies entered a home on Wages Way near Dean Road and Flowers Avenue with guns drawn and ballistic shields raised before clearing the home and deeming the call was fake.

This isn't the first time a hoax 911 call was made.

Last week, an 82-year-old resident on Elm Street was drawn out by Orlando police officers after someone made a fake call, claiming a man had killed his wife, authorities said.

Carlos Matos, the victim in that case, told Channel 9 on Tuesday that the punishment doesn't fit the crime as it is a first-degree misdemeanor, which could lead to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if someone is convicted.

"It should be as strict as you can get," he said. "It should be set as an example for anyone who does this kind of stuff, because if it's not, then people are going to just think this is a joke."

Investigators said there is no indication that the two hoaxes are connected.

UPDATE: @OrangeCoSheriff says a hoax call led to this large scene, which rattled neighbors wondering what in the world was happening on their block. The alleged victim is okay. https://t.co/bBE4HBYUQn
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) March 26, 2019

This neighborhood is off Dean Road between Colonial and the 408 in Orange County. Deputies left the house with guns and shields down and now many are rolling out. Others though, are staying and walking in and out of the house at the center of this. https://t.co/bBE4HBYUQn
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) March 26, 2019

BREAKING: Shields are out and deputies are gathering near the driveway, approaching the house as a voice over a bullhorn warning the Sheriff’s Office and fire department are outside. Still working to confirm more info about what’s happening. pic.twitter.com/HNxXzK3cK4
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) March 26, 2019

Now seeing long guns out in 900 block of Wages Way, where deputies are setting up across from a house halfway down the blocked off street. At least nine cruisers and multiple @OCFireRescue with more cruisers arriving. pic.twitter.com/vG9EZTXLK5
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) March 26, 2019