India, Oct. 7 -- A hospital in Orange County reported an active shooter, but it was actually a fake and a "swatting" episode, said authorities, as per KTLA5.

The 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 goat of 'swatting' is to provoke a significant law enforcement response, create chaos and [they can] potentially [result] in violence," DHS states.

The Newport Beach Police Department said in a statement that police were sent to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach after receiving a report of gunfire.

According to the NBPD, "officers arrived on the scene right awa...