Staff Report /August 15, 2026
BATH – A 13-year-old Bath resident faces felony charges after allegedly placing a false emergency call claiming an armed shooter was actively threatening lives.
The incident began around 9:26 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, when emergency dispatchers received a call reporting that a gunman had shot his wife and was threatening to shoot others at a home on Shannon Street. Officers from the Bath Police Department, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police swiftly responded to the scene, where a careful investigation revealed that the report was entirely fabricated.
Following an investigation into the origin of the call, authorities identified the juvenile suspect and took the teen into custody on Thursday, August 13.
Key details surrounding the charges and legal response include:
- Criminal Charges: The 13-year-old was charged with reckless endangerment, a Class D felony, and falsely reporting an incident, a Class E felony.
- Release & Probation: Following the arrest, the teen was released to a guardian with an appearance ticket ordering them to report to Steuben County Probation at a scheduled future date.
- Anonymity Preserved: Officials withheld the juvenile’s identity from the public in accordance with state laws protecting the privacy of underage individuals.
