Man Behind Fatal 2017 ‘Swatting’ Receives 20 Year Jail Sentence

Unfortunately, video game-related deaths and violent acts are becoming more and more common, but the good news is that jail sentences are being taken very seriously – at least in the case of 26-year-old Tyler Barriss.

Barris has been found guilty of a 2017 swatting that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Andrew Finch, who was fatally shot by police.

Finch was nothing more than a bystander in the event.

Credit: Pixabay

Barris reportedly called the authorities due to a dispute over a Call of Duty: WW2 match with 20-year-old Shane Gaskill. Following the dispute, Gaskill gave Barris an address and dared him to act. The address was Finch’s.

Barris told the police that someone at Finch’s address was holding people hostage and had killed one person, leading police to fatally shoot Finch.

He was shot and killed outside his Kansas home by the attending police presence.

In a statement, US Attorney Stephen McAllister said: “We hope that this will send a strong message about swatting, which is a juvenile and senseless practice,

Credit: Pixabay

“We’d like to put an end to it within the gaming community and in any other contact. Swatting, as I’ve said before, is not a prank.”

Barris has been sentenced to 20 years in jail – a sentence which is twice the norm according to this AP report [via PCGamer].

The sentencing isn’t the end of the case though, as it’s being reported that Finch’s family is taking legal action against the city of Wichita and the police officers involved in the death of Andrew Finch.

Credit: Pixabay

The case is now being used to warn others of the danger of ‘swatting,’ which in this situation, led to a fatality.

 

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay