Video Game Feud Turns Fatal in Deadly 'Swatting' Incident

On Dec. 28, 2017, a quiet evening suddenly turned fatal for Andrew Finch, a 28-year-old father from Wichita, Kansas. Finch was shot and killed by police on his front porch after officers responded to a false 911 call reporting a violent hostage situation at his address. This wasn’t a case of mistaken identity by the authorities but a sinister prank known as “swatting” - in which someone reports a fake emergency to send heavily armed police to an unsuspecting target’s home. Here’s how an online gaming feud escalated into a tragedy that captured national attention and resulted in the death of an innocent father.

A ‘Call of Duty’ Feud Turns Deadly

The events that led to Finch’s death began with an argument during a multiplayer session of “Call of Duty: WWII.” Ohio gamer Casey Viner and Wichita gamer Shane Gaskill exchanged heated words after Gaskill killed Viner’s in-game character, over which they had bet $1.50. According to the affidavit, the situation escalated when Viner threatened to “swat” Gaskill, to which he responded with an address and a dare.

Viner enlisted Tyler Barriss, a known swatter from California, to make the call. Barriss, using a spoofed number, contacted Wichita police and claimed Gaskill had shot his father and was holding his family hostage at 1033 W. McCormick St. Unfortunately, everyone soon found out the address provided belonged to Andrew Finch, a man with no connection to the feud.

Finch was shot less than 10 seconds after opening the front door to see why police had surrounded his house. According to the attorney general, Finch dropped his hands as officers told him to raise them, leading Officer Justin Rapp to believe he had a gun and deliver the fatal shot. Ultimately, Rapp was not charged in the incident.

Justice for Andrew Finch

The swatting death of Andrew Finch brought national attention to the dangers of this so-called prank. All three individuals involved faced legal consequences.

• Tyler Barriss, the man who made the call, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to 51 counts, including making false reports and threats across the country.
• Casey Viner, who orchestrated the swatting call, served 15 months in prison and was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution. He also received two years of supervised release.
• Shane Gaskill, who provided the address, initially received probation but later faced 18 months in prison after violating its terms.

Finch’s death also led to a legal battle with the city of Wichita over the actions of the responding officers. The Finch family filed a lawsuit, resulting in a $5 million settlement. Finch’s mother and sister, Lisa and Dominica Finch, said in a statement: “While this settlement will not bring back our beloved Andy, it helps bring some closure as our family moves forward, especially Andy’s two young children,” as reported by the Associated Press.

A Warning to the Gaming World

The death of Andrew Finch is a troubling reminder that swatting is far from a funny prank - it’s a dangerous and reckless act that can destroy lives. As gaming communities continue to grow, players must take responsibility for their actions. Cases like this highlight the importance of fostering accountability and respect in online interactions. While Andrew Finch’s life was tragically cut short, hopefully his story can save others by shining a spotlight on the dangers of swatting.

References: An Ohio gamer gets prison time over a ‘swatting’ call that led to a man’s death | Wichita man sentenced in ‘swatting’ case that led to death | California Man Sentenced In Deadly Wichita Swatting Case | City of Wichita settles fatal SWAT shooting for $5 million