Tag: prank

Tyler Barriss Officially Sentenced to 20 Years In Prison


Californian Tyler Barriss has been officially sentenced to 20 years in prison for making fraudulent 911 calls, including one that lead to the shooting death of 28 year old Wichita resident Andrew Thomas Finch.

Barriss, 26, was arrested following his admission of placing a phone call alerting authorities to a hostage situation in Wichita, Kansas. When police arrived, the ordeal ended with one officer shooting the aforementioned Andrew Finch. The call was a hoax, sent in by Barriss on the belief that the address belonged to another person. According to admissions by parties involved, Barriss was tasked with calling in the fake hostage situation by another individual who had lost a bet over Call of Duty.

The total wager that cost Mr. Finch his life; Approximately $2. Federal authorities are also pressing charges against Casey Viner and Shane Gaskill, the two individuals responsible for requesting the swat call and providing the fake address to Barriss.

In December, Barriss entered a plea deal that would see him serve at least 20 years, possibly the longest sentence imposed for “swatting.” In addition to the death of Andrew Finch, Barriss has also pleaded guilty to 51 federal charges regarding fake 911 calls and bomb threats. Barriss was also arrested several years ago after calling bomb threats to ABC Studios. Despite his earlier demeanor refusing to take responsibility for the results of his actions, the Barriss that appeared before the court was more apologetic to Finch’s family.

“If I could take it back, I would, but there is nothing I can do,” Barriss told the court. “I am so sorry for that.”

Viner and Gaskill are still awaiting trial.

Source: AP News

Police Arrest 25 Year Old Tyler Barriss Over Deadly Swatting Prank


Via NY Daily News

The Los Angeles Police Department has taken 25 year old Tyler Barriss into custody in connection with a deadly prank that culminated in the loss of a life earlier this week. Barriss, of Los Angeles, is being charged with a prank called “swatting,” in this case Barriss told the police that a man had been killed and his family held hostage.

Barriss had allegedly called in the false threat over a lost bet while playing Call of Duty. Finch was not involved in the game, the intended victim gave Barriss a fake address. The total sum of the wager was $2.

When 28 year old Andrew Thomas Finch answered the door, he was shot and killed by one police officer. The officer in question has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. Finch was the father of two, and his children were not in the house at the time of the incident.

Barriss was arrested two years ago after sending bomb threats to ABC Studios. Police may find prosecution an easy task as Barriss appeared in an interview with Youtube personality Keemstar which appears to be a full confession of him calling in the prank.

A Gofundme for Finch’s funeral bills has gained nearly eight thousand dollars as of this publishing.

(Source: KWCH12)