Gamer Who Solicited Fatal 'Swatting' Call Sentenced To 15 Months In Jail

SWAT

A teenage gamer from Ohio was sentenced to 15 months in jail for convincing his friend to make a false 911 call that resulted in a Kansas man's death. 19-year-old Casey Viner was angry after losing a $1.50 bet and got into an argument with another player while playing Call of Duty. Vinter asked his friend, Tyler Barriss, to get back at the gamer by "swatting" him. Swatting is the practice of calling 911 to report a kidnapping or shooting to force heavily armed police to respond to the call.

Wichita police received the call and responded to the house of an innocent Kansas father and killed him. 28-year-old Andrew Finch was shot and killed by an officer when he opened his front door. The officer was not charged in the incident and told investigators he believed Finch was reaching for a gun.

Viner pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice. After he serves his prison term, he will be barred from playing video games for two years while he is on supervised release. Barriss was sentenced to 20 years in jail for his role in the incident.

"Swatting is not a prank, and it is no way to resolve disputes among gamers," U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. "Once again, I call upon gamers to self-police their community to ensure that the practice of swatting is ended once and for all."

Photo: Getty Images


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