At a Glance
- Garcelle Beauvais‘ Los Angeles home was stormed after a false 911 call on Sunday, Jan. 25.
- The caller, claiming to be her ex, said he had a shotgun and was inside the house.
- The incident is part of a pattern of swatting that also hit Beauvais’ beach house in summer 2025.
**Why it matters: The event highlights the growing threat of swatting to public figures and the serious response it triggers from law enforcement.
The incident that unfolded on Sunday, Jan. 25 sent the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) racing to Garcelle Beauvais’ Porter Ranch residence. A caller, who identified himself as Beauvais’ ex, claimed he was standing in the home armed with a shotgun. The LAPD arrived to find no man and no weapon, a clear sign the call was a case of swatting.
The Incident
The anonymous 911 caller told police that he was inside the house and had a shotgun. He then refused to meet officers on the street. When LAPD officers entered the property, they found no evidence of a threat. The situation was quickly identified as a false emergency call.
- Caller’s claim: Ex of Beauvais, armed with a shotgun.
- Police response: Immediate arrival, search of the property.
- Findings: No man, no shotgun.
- Conclusion: Authorities believe the call was a swatting incident.
What Swatting Is
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines swatting as a malicious act that can involve placing false emergency calls to emergency responders, often reporting a (false) severe, ongoing crisis at a specific location. The goal of swatting is to provoke a significant law enforcement response, creating chaos and potentially resulting in violence.
> “Swatting is a malicious act that can involve placing false emergency calls to emergency responders, often reporting a (false) severe, ongoing crisis at a specific location,” said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “The goal of swatting is to provoke a significant law enforcement response, creating chaos and potentially resulting in violence.”
Previous Swatting Target
Beauvais’ beach house was also targeted in a swatting incident in the summer of 2025. She recounted the experience on the Sirius XM show Radio Andy’s Smith Sisters Live in October 2025.
> “We’re having a great time, I had them from Thursday on. So by Saturday afternoon, I’m like, you know what? Everybody’s got to go. We’re going to go back home because if I don’t leave, they’re not leaving. We’re packing up. We’re all going home. Tell your parents to pick you up, whoever’s not driving. So we get back to our house, and my phone is blowing up,” Beauvais recalled.
> “So I look, and it’s my neighbor and she goes, our street is shut down, and there’s FBI cars in front of your house. And she goes, they want your number. And being Black, I’m like don’t give them my number,” she added.
> “So about 20 minutes later, she calls me this time, and she said that my house was swatted,” Beauvais said.
> “But I didn’t even know what that was, so I called Jaid and I go, ‘What is swatting?'” she explained.
> “And he’s like, ‘Mom, they do it to YouTubers or streamers or somebody calls and says there’s something crazy at your house. So FBI shows up, I have video of, like, rifles with lights on them,'” Beauvais recalled.
Beauvais’ Experience
Beauvais, 59, was not at her Porter Ranch home when the LAPD arrived. She had previously hosted 11 teenagers at her beach house during the summer, which made the false threat even more alarming.
The incident underscores the personal danger that public figures face when targeted by swatting. The false call not only endangered her safety but also risked escalating into violence if the police had encountered a real threat.
Law Enforcement Response
LAPD sources told NBC Los Angeles that the police stormed the residence after receiving the 911 call. Officers were prepared for a potential armed confrontation but found no evidence of a weapon or intruder. The swift response prevented any harm to Beauvais or her family.
Authorities are investigating the origin of the call and the identity of the anonymous caller. The incident is being treated as a serious crime, and law enforcement is working to identify and prosecute the individual responsible.
Upcoming Projects
Despite the scare, Beauvais remains active in her acting career. She will soon reprise her role as Ava Denis in Lifetime’s Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love, a sequel to Tempted by Love released in 2024. The new series is scheduled to premiere on Jan. 31.
Key Takeaways
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Swatting incident at Beauvais’ beach house |
| Oct. 2025 | Beauvais discusses the incident on Sirius XM |
| Jan. 25 | Swatting incident at Porter Ranch home |
| Jan. 31 | Release of Tempted 2 Love |
- Swatting remains a serious threat to public figures.
- Law enforcement responds swiftly to false emergency calls.
- Public awareness of swatting can help prevent future incidents.
News Of Los Angeles has reached out to a representative for Beauvais and the LAPD for comment. The investigation continues.
