A hoax call of an active shooter drew dozens of law enforcement officers to an Alabama Walmart on Thursday.

Pell City police Chief Clay Morris said the incident turned out to be “swatting,” which is a bogus phone call to report serious crimes taking place in an effort to draw police SWAT teams to a specific location.

The police department’s 911 received a very detailed call at 11:39 a.m. stating there were three shooters in a certain location in the store. The caller described their clothing and how they were shooting.

“It was very specific information,’’ Morris said.

Police arrived on the scene within three minutes and quickly cleared the store. They actually cleared the store twice.

Officers from several nearby cities and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the store.

Morris said swatting calls are exceedingly dangerous and disruptive.

“It brings panic and disarray to our communities,’’ he said. “There was an overwhelming response immediately entering a Walmart thinking there’s an active shooter and no one inside the store has any idea.”

“So panic sets in fairly quickly,’’ he said. “But we had no choice with the specificity of the information we received.”

Morris said they are actively pursuing leads an anticipate a swift arrest.