A senior couple from Burlington is still left wondering why police were at their door in full tactical gear. Jon Woodward reports.
An elderly Burlington couple is looking for answers after they were targeted in a fake emergency call that sent a police tactical unit, with guns drawn, to their door looking for an active shooter that didn’t exist.
Video shows the tactical unit, carrying body shields and rifles, massing in front of the suburban home of Jeannie Olchowy, 85, and her husband Nicholas, 94, in August, calling out for those inside to get their hands up or face arrest.
Burlington swatting Jeannie Olchowy, 85, and her husband Nicholas, 94, watch the video of the doorbell camera footage showing the August 2025 swatting incident at their Burlington home. ( )
“I will never forget that day,” said the couple’s daughter, Jennifer Olchowy, in an interview.
“They had guns, assault rifles aimed at our heads, and I’m trying consciously not to flinch because I don’t want any of us to get shot.”
The family is coming forward now because they are still in the dark as to who targeted them with a “swatting” attack which is a bogus call for assistance that police forces generally must respond to.
It is derived from the U. S. law enforcement unit SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics). SWAT is equivalent to police tactical units in Canada. The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has the Tactical Rescue Unit.
Unfortunately, police response to swatting calls can be traumatizing in itself and the Olchowys are calling out for solutions so that other families aren’t as surprised and traumatized as they were.
Burlington swatting A still from a security camera footage shows two Halton police tactical unit officer pointing their firearms at the door of the Olchowys in August 2025 during a swatting call. (Supplied)
HRPS told in a statement that they are still investigating who was responsible for the original call.
“We recognize and deeply understand how difficult this situation is for the victims and their families,” the service said in a statement.
“Police have a duty to respond strategically to active and potential threats to protect the community. Most often in the case of a swatting incident, the ‘caller’ alleges an ongoing violent incident is taking place and officers must respond to meet any and all potential threats until such time as the incident is proven to be false,” the statement continued.
“In this instance this remains an active criminal investigation and it is essential that we adhere to established investigative and legal processes. Following these procedures is critical to hopefully identify those responsible ensuring they are held fully accountable and delivering justice for the victims.”
Burlington swatting A still from security camera footage shows Jennifer (left) and her mother Jeannie Olchowy putting their hands up during a swatting incident at their Burlington home on Aug. 18 2025. (Supplied)
“All I could hear was screaming and I was wondering ‘Why am I putting my hands up in air? What have I done?” recalled Jeanie.
Nicholas who was still inside his house he shared with his wife for 61 years spoke through front door with officers.
“Is anyone hurt inside?” one officer calls out.
“No!” Nicholas replies. “Are you kidding?”
Eventually Nicholas came out too.
“They said ‘Take your time.’ Even though there was supposedly a killer inside there was nobody there,” Nicholas recalled.
They learned from officers on scene someone had called police warning about an active shooter at that address using name they didn’t recognize.
Swatting started out as prank among online gaming communities but has become more common partly due its ease even when far away from scene.
A Markham school faced disruption recently due another swatting event with police noting it originated from Los Angeles Calif.
Cybercrime expert Chester Wisniewski of Sophos told that swatting is sometimes used as revenge tactic or punishment extortion.
Burlington swatting A still from a security camera footage shows two Halton police tactical unit officer pointing their firearms at the door of the Olchowys in August 2025 during a swatting call. (Supplied)
HRPS told in a statement that they are still investigating who was responsible for the original call.
“We recognize and deeply understand how difficult this situation is for the victims and their families,” the service said in a statement.
“Police have a duty to respond strategically to active and potential threats to protect the community. Most often in the case of a swatting incident, the ‘caller’ alleges an ongoing violent incident is taking place and officers must respond to meet any and all potential threats until such time as the incident is proven to be false,” the statement continued.
“In this instance this remains an active criminal investigation and it is essential that we adhere to established investigative and legal processes. Following these procedures is critical to hopefully identify those responsible ensuring they are held fully accountable and delivering justice for the victims.”
‘All I could hear was the screaming’
The video shows how the incident unfolded with Halton officers calling the Olchowys’ phone telling them to come outside. Once outside Jennifer and Jeannie are surprised to see officers who tell them to put their hands up. “They’re telling me to put my hands up,” says Jennifer in surprise. “Are you serious?” asks Jeannie. The mother and daughter complied with demands.Burlington swatting A still from security camera footage shows Jennifer (left) and her mother Jeannie Olchowy putting their hands up during a swatting incident at their Burlington home on Aug. 18 2025. (Supplied)
“All I could hear was screaming and I was wondering ‘Why am I putting my hands up in air? What have I done?” recalled Jeanie.
Nicholas who was still inside his house he shared with his wife for 61 years spoke through front door with officers.
“Is anyone hurt inside?” one officer calls out.
“No!” Nicholas replies. “Are you kidding?”
Eventually Nicholas came out too.
“They said ‘Take your time.’ Even though there was supposedly a killer inside there was nobody there,” Nicholas recalled.
They learned from officers on scene someone had called police warning about an active shooter at that address using name they didn’t recognize.
Swatting started out as prank among online gaming communities but has become more common partly due its ease even when far away from scene.
A Markham school faced disruption recently due another swatting event with police noting it originated from Los Angeles Calif.
Burlington home swatting A still security camera footage showed Halton police tactical unit officer pointing firearm door Olchowys during August 2025 while responding falsified report( Supplied )Crime occurring within household necessitating prompt law enforcement action signals risk individual armed intent harm themselves others prompting heightened caution approach by responders Wisniewski stated.It’s increasingly prevalent he noted.Digital anonymity encourages individuals commit these offenses he remarked.Despite this however arrests do occur charges laid : example , January youth Ottawa charged relation seven incidents December twenty twenty five January twenty twenty six.Lawyer Matthew Browne mentioned interview categorized usually public mischief carries maximum sentence five years prison.“Crown prosecutors law enforcement take very seriously since false reporting diverts legitimate resources into illegitimate means” he explained.The Olchowys whom volunteered alongside Crime Stoppers over years filed complaint freedom information request denied criminal investigation continues.Jennifer expresses shock seeks clarity regarding occurred.” It’s traumatizing seeing authorities now And both my dad I volunteered along side cops many years back so it’s upsetting” she said.
