A second Republican lawmaker in Indiana has become the victim of a swatting incident

A second Republican lawmaker in Indiana has become the victim of a swatting incident. 

In a statement, state Senator Dan Dernulc (R-Highland) said law enforcement was called to his house following a false report.

"It is scary and shocking to me that someone would go so far to try to cause harm or fear to me or my family,” Dernulc said. “I have always done my best to serve my community, be their voice, and work alongside them and my colleagues at the Statehouse to help make Indiana a great state.”

Using false reports to draw police to someone's house, known as swatting, has become a tool of intimidation in U.S. politics.

“Threats to public officials cannot and should not be the norm,” Dernulc said. “ I hope to see justice for this illegal behavior.”

This is the second time an Indiana Senator has been the victim of a swatting attempt in less than a week. Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute) had law enforcement called to his home on Sunday.

Neither Dernulc nor Goode had officially declared a position on redistricting, despite months of pressure from Washington D.C. and Governor Braun to support the move. 

President Donald Trump criticized Indiana Republicans over the weekend for deciding not to take up the issue of redrawing the state’s congressional maps to favor Republicans, singling out Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) and Sen. Goode by name.

Shortly after that post, Sen. Goode’s home was swatted. 

But Senators voted Tuesday not to return next month to take up new congressional maps, triggering a swift rebuke from Gov. Braun, who said he would pursue all options to compel senators to show up and vote on the issue. 

Braun condemned the swatting incident against Goode in a statement on Monday, saying such tactics have “no place in Indiana.”

Contact Health Reporter Benjamin Thorp at bthorp@wfyi.org