Key Takeaways
• Kathie L. Hibbard received a summons for Obstructing Government Operations after an alleged airport threat voicemail.
• No evidence of gunfire or ongoing danger was found at Vance Brand Longmont Municipal Airport after the investigation.
• Multiple agencies, including the FAA, TSA, and FBI, coordinated to respond to and evaluate the threat report swiftly.
A 74-year-old woman named Kathie L. Hibbard has found herself at the center of an incident that has stirred concerns across local and federal agencies. The case has drawn attention because it involves alleged threats against planes flying near the Vance Brand Longmont Municipal Airport. While the facts are still coming together, the story highlights how even a single message can prompt a swift and serious response from both local and federal authorities.
The Start of the Incident
The situation began on May 9, 2025, when a city worker in Longmont received a voicemail from someone claiming to have fired a gun at an ultralight aircraft flying near the airport. Ultralight aircraft are small, lightweight planes often used for recreational flying. The Longmont Municipal Airport, also called Vance Brand Airport, is a bustling hub in Boulder County.
When someone makes a threat against an aircraft—even in a voicemail—it’s treated as a very serious issue. This is why the city worker immediately reported the call. The concern was not just for the safety of the pilot in the ultralight, but for everyone using the airport and the nearby community as well.
How Officials Responded
After the threat was reported, many agencies jumped into action. These included the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, the Longmont Department of Public Safety, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). With so many different departments involved, it was clear the matter wasn’t being taken lightly.
These agencies didn’t just talk to each other; they also took steps to check if the claim in the voicemail was true. They checked for signs of gunfire, damage to planes, or injuries. Each group used its own tools and skills to gather facts. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, being the main law enforcement group in the area, coordinated much of the field work and communication.
Despite their efforts, officials could not find any evidence that a gun had actually been fired at a plane. There were no bullet holes, no reports from pilots, and no one injured. Still, the investigation kept going, as everyone wanted to be certain that all possible risks were checked.
Identifying a Person of Interest
Even without finding any physical evidence, the agencies involved moved quickly to identify the caller. At first, they did not tell the public who the person was. They wanted to make sure all facts were collected and that they didn’t accuse someone before fully verifying details.
Soon after, investigators identified Kathie L. Hibbard as the person who had left the message. This step didn’t mean she was guilty of any crime, but it meant she was a focus of the investigation. Naming someone publicly can carry big social and legal impacts, so authorities waited until they were sure.
This decision to withhold her identity shows that, even in high-stress cases involving public threats, law enforcement tries to protect individual rights until enough evidence is available.
Legal Steps Taken
After the initial investigation, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office took a formal legal step. On May 15, 2025, they served Kathie L. Hibbard with a summons for Obstructing Government Operations. What this means is that she was required to appear in court for allegedly interfering with the way public agencies carry out their work.
Obstructing Government Operations is a legal term used when someone’s actions, even if not violent, prevent public officials or workers from doing their jobs properly. This charge is taken seriously because false or threatening messages can cause big disruptions—making officials respond as if real danger exists.
In this case, her alleged voicemail set off a huge response involving several agencies. The need for these agencies to inspect the scene, check with the FAA, and notify federal partners like the FBI meant that resources were pulled away from other work.
Kathie L. Hibbard is not being accused of actually firing a gun at airplanes. The charge, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, is about the act of making a threat that led to this complicated and resource-heavy response.
What the Investigation Found
Despite all the immediate worries caused by the message, authorities say that there is no information pointing to an ongoing or active threat at Vance Brand Longmont Municipal Airport. After reviewing all the facts, they believe there is no danger to people who use the airport or live nearby.
Still, the case is not completely closed. The investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies remains open. Officials have made it clear that if anyone knows something else about this event, or if new facts come to light, they want to hear from the public.
For those who might have more information, there is a tip line: 303-441-3674. Calling this line can help investigators fill in any missing pieces—and complete the picture of what happened.
Why This Matters for the Community
Threats involving airports are always taken seriously, even if later found to be false or a misunderstanding. Airports like the Longmont Municipal Airport connect the community, welcome visitors, and serve as important transport hubs for both business and fun.
A threat—real or claimed—forces authorities to check every angle. This approach keeps air travel safe and reminds us how much work goes on behind the scenes to protect everyone. Even those who don’t use the airport are affected, as resources from groups like the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office get pulled into emergency response.
Incidents like this also show people living nearby that law enforcement treats threats to safety with urgency. It also reassures the public that even a single call is enough to launch a full investigation.
Agencies Involved and How They Work Together
As this case shows, different government agencies often need to work together when it comes to any risk involving aircraft. The Longmont Department of Public Safety looks after the city itself, while the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office covers the greater county area. The TSA ensures security at airports, and the FAA oversees airspace safety and aircraft operations nationally.
When something unsafe or suspicious happens at an airport, all these agencies bring their knowledge and tools to the table. For example, the FAA can find out which planes were in the sky near the airport when the voicemail came in. The FBI has special teams that look at possible crimes involving threats to aviation, and the TSA checks if any passenger or staff at the airport was at risk.
Working together means investigations move faster, facts are cross-checked, and the public can receive answers sooner.
What Is a Summons and What Happens Next?
Serving someone with a summons, like what happened to Kathie L. Hibbard, means that law enforcement believes there is enough reason to ask the courts to get involved. A summons is not the same as an arrest. It’s a written order to appear in court at a certain date and time to answer the allegations.
It’s an important legal step because it allows both the accused and authorities to present their sides of the story to a judge. This ensures that everyone’s rights are protected and that justice is served fairly.
In cases like this, the court will review the facts—what was said in the voicemail, how agencies responded, and the results of the investigation. Penalties or next steps, if any, will depend on what the court decides.
For more details about court procedures or the meaning of a legal summons, the official Boulder County government website provides clear explanations and updates about active cases.
What the Public Should Do
If you live in or around Longmont or use the airport, authorities say there is no current reason for concern. Flight operations are running as normal, and no new threats have been reported. Still, if you see or hear something that feels off, officials want you to reach out to them. Quick action and good reporting from the community help law enforcement keep everyone safe.
If you have any tips about what happened, or if you heard something unusual near the Longmont Municipal Airport on May 9, 2025, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office tip line remains open.
Impact and Broader Meaning
This story, as reported by VisaVerge.com and confirmed by several government sources, highlights how threats relating to travel, especially air travel, can ripple through whole communities and beyond. While the actual threat in this case was not found to be real, the system for responding—starting with the initial report to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and ending with a multi-agency investigation—worked as intended.
It also underlines the need for truthful and clear communication. False or exaggerated threats waste time and money, and may cause fear without reason. That’s why local laws, including those that cover Obstructing Government Operations, seek to prevent or quickly address these incidents.
Conclusion and Key Points
This ongoing case involving Kathie L. Hibbard and the Longmont Municipal Airport brings together several lessons:
- All threats to transport, even if unproven, will get a full response.
- Law enforcement—including the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office—will involve local and federal partners to keep everyone safe.
- The public’s role in reporting concerns is vital.
- Even when evidence does not support a threat, charges like Obstructing Government Operations may apply if agency resources have been misused.
- The court process will review all facts and make the final decision.
For ongoing updates about this or similar cases, keep an eye on news from local law enforcement or visit trusted sources such as the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office website. If you’re unsure about how to report something or want more details about airport safety, these resources are open to you.
The message from officials is clear: safety is everyone’s responsibility, and even a single report can set off a chain of action to protect the community.
Learn Today
Summons → A written legal order requiring someone to appear in court to answer allegations or charges related to an incident or case.
Obstructing Government Operations → A charge for actions that hinder or interfere with public officials or agencies performing their official duties, even nonviolently.
FAA → Federal Aviation Administration, the federal agency responsible for regulating civil aviation safety and overseeing aircraft operations in the U.S.
Ultralight Aircraft → Small, lightweight planes typically used for recreational flying, subject to less regulation than larger commercial aircraft.
Tip Line → A dedicated phone number for the public to provide information, tips, or leads to authorities regarding an investigation or safety concern.
This Article in a Nutshell
A May 2025 voicemail claiming gunfire at Longmont Municipal Airport triggered a multi-agency emergency response. Kathie L. Hibbard, 74, was identified as the caller and received a summons for Obstructing Government Operations. Authorities found no evidence of danger, but the case underscores how seriously threats to air safety are handled.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Denver International Airport hit by communications outage affecting flights
• Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Probes Ultralight Shooting Threat
