Tyler Barriss, the 26-year-old gamer who “swatted” a Kansas man as a result of a dispute while playing Call Of Duty: WWII, which resulted in that man’s death at the hands of police, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
In December 2017, Los Angeles-based Barriss inadvertently made a swatting call against a 28-year-old Kansas father named Andrew Finch over a Call Of Duty match with a $1.50 wager. Barriss had intended to swat another player, but gave authorities an outdated address. (Swatting refers to a false report of a serious threat that triggers an aggressive response by law enforcement). When police arrived at Finch’s home, they shot him — marking the first fatal swatting to date in the U.S., according to The Wichita Eagle.
In addition to the fatal Kansas call, Barriss also subsequently pleaded guilty to 51 charges of other bomb threats and swatting calls made across the U.S. and Canada.
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Barriss appeared in court on video from jail today, reports The Wichita Eagle, whereby state charges of involuntary manslaughter were dismissed. However, the 51 federal charges relating to Barriss’ hoax calls on schools, shopping centers, government buildings, and other businesses across the country — as well as the call that caused Finch’s death — resulted in his sentence. After his he leaves prison, Barriss will serve five years of supervised release. He will also have to pay $5,000 to the Kansas Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund.
At a press conference, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said he hopes the sentence sends a message to the gaming community about the grave dangers of swatting, which has become something of a trend in recent years.
The two other gamers who were involved in the swatting incident — Casey Viner and Shane Gaskill (who Barriss had initially intended to swat) — are still awaiting trial for their roles in Finch’s death. Viner will reportedly plead guilty to some federal charges during a change-of-plea hearing next week, per The Eagle, while Gaskill’s trial has been delayed to April 23 amid talks with prosecutors.
“I take full responsibility in what happened,” Barriss said today in court. “If I could take it back I would…I’m just so sorry for that.”
