by CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – A prank phone call caused a dozen Westfield police officers to rush to a home and rouse the residents from their beds Thursday night.
At 9:46 p.m., someone phoned the Westfield police reporting that “his brother just shot his mother with a gun,” according to police records, and the caller stated the shooter had locked himself in his room.
The line disconnected before dispatch could get anymore information. Police are not releasing information about the phone number involved in the call.
Officers arrived at 29 Rita May Way at 9:53 p.m.
Homeowner Linda Ann Matthews said Friday that they received a phone call from police before officers arrived at their home.
Four residents exited the house for the police without incident.
“Everybody is a alive and well at this location,” officers reported.
“We stood on the porch and they came in and swept the house,” said Matthews. “Instead of being frightened, we were glad they were protecting us.”
She said they have no idea who would do this.
“It was a false alarm, nothing to do with us,” said Matthews, who has owned the house with her husband, Clark Matthews, for 13 years.
It appears to be a random event, according to police.
Police do not want to release further information other than to say the investigation is ongoing, according to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe.
