WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Stiffer penalties would be possible for calling in hoax emergency calls under a bill introduced in the Kansas House in response to a deadly police shooting in Wichita.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the bill introduced Tuesday would allow for a murder prosecution if someone dies during a future “swatting” prank. Twenty-eight-year-old Andrew Finch was unarmed when he was killed last month as officers responded to a fake story about a shooting and kidnapping at his home.
Twenty-five-year-old Tyler Barriss, of Los Angeles, is accused of making the false call. Court documents say it stemmed from a small wager in a “Call of Duty” online video game tournament.
Barriss has been criminally charged with involuntary manslaughter, giving false alarm and interference with a law enforcement officer.
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Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle, http://www.kansas.com
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