Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus
Columbus police have confirmed that Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, was the target of a swatting incident around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Walker, who represents Senate District 41 including all of Bartholomew County and part of Johnson County, is the sixth GOP senator to be targeted in recent days after going on the record earlier this year opposing redistricting Indiana, which has been demanded by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and President Donald Trump.
Lt. Skylar Berry, Columbus Police Department spokesman, said Columbus police were notified of an email that had been sent out reporting a domestic violence shooting incident at Walker’s address, that was forward to Columbus police.
Berry noted that police are attuned to indicators of continued swatting incidents (false reports of criminal incidents made about public officials) particularly since other Republican senators around the state have been the victim of similar calls. In these instances, the caller is attempting to create a dangerous SWAT response to the residence.
The Indiana State Police is working with law enforcement, including Columbus police, to investigate “multiple instances” of swatting targeting lawmakers, according to a Thursday news release. The agency plans to seek criminal prosecution “to the fullest extent allowed by law.”
Berry said CPD recognized Walker’s address and made contact with him by sending one officer to his home, where the senator confirmed everything was fine and the report was completely unfounded. A detective has been assigned to the case and is working with Indiana State Police investigating the email, Berry said.
Walker said local law enforcement officers were very professional and applied wisdom and expertise to the situation. Saying he confirmed the incident did take place, he said the incident was an open criminal investigation and said he could not comment further while the investigation continued.
Trump and his supporters want Indiana to produce a 9-0 map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections as part of his push to keep GOP control over the U.S. House, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Trump has ratcheted up the pressure, telling Braun on Tuesday that he “must produce” on redistricting. That day, Braun proclaimed he’d find ways to “compel” recalcitrant senators to obey his special session call after they voted to ignore it and adjourn.
Braun denounced the swatting attempts as “absolutely terrible” on Thursday, telling reporters, “That’s way beyond the pale. Unacceptable. … All I’m saying as governor, leader of the state: stop it,” according to reporting by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Asked if he thought aggressive rhetoric had contributed, Braun responded that there’s “rhetoric on a lot of issues.” He said it “boils down to personal responsibility not to do something stupid.”
The report of the Columbus lawmaker’s “swatting” was the sixth involving GOP senators this week. Other swatting incidents being investigated involve Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, Sen. Kyle Walker, R-Lawrence and Sen. Spencer Deery, R- West Lafayette.
As early as last August, Walker stated his opposition to redistricting and has not wavered on his position, even as pressure from the governor and Trump intensified this past week.
Walker characterized the idea of early redistricting in Indiana as “ridiculous” and pointed to comments from former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels — also a Republican — who recently told Politico that he didn’t “see the point” of doing so in the Hoosier State and that it “would be just wrong.”
“I think it’s a ridiculous idea, and I think it would backfire,” Walker told The Republic in August.
Walker announced earlier this year he would not seek another term representing Indiana Senate District 41, ending a two-decade run holding the seat.
Walker, in his fifth term, has declined to elaborate on his decision, telling The Republic that his “only comment” was to confirm that he will not be running for reelection next year.
Walker is now chair of the Standing Committee on Family and Children Services, the Senate chair of the Interim Study Committee on Child Services and Senate majority member of the Interim Study Committee on Elections.
He also serves on the Senate Elections, Ethics, Pensions and Labor and Public Policy committees.
Walker launched his career in state politics in 2006 with an upset victory in the Republican primary over former Indiana Senate President Pro-Tem Robert Garton, who had held the seat for over three decades and had been the Senate’s leader for a record 26 years.
