US police kill man responding to a prank call


FE Team | Published: December 31, 2017 11:51:09 | Updated: January 01, 2018 14:50:11


Police in Wichita, Kansas released the 911 recording of what that they say is a 'swatting' prank call that led to a fatal police shooting (Photo collected from internet)

A man has been arrested after an alleged "swatting" prank call led to police shooting dead a 28-year-old man.

Andrew Finch was shot at his front door on 28 December in Wichita, Kansas.

Police surrounded the home after receiving a hoax emergency call from a man claiming to have shot dead his father and taken his family hostage, reports BBC.

The call stemmed from a row between two gamers playing Call of Duty online, US media say, although the address raided was apparently unconnected to either.

Police have said they believe the report was an act of "swatting" where a person makes a false report to send police to another person or fake address.

'Innocent victim'

Audio of the emergency call has been made public. A man can be heard telling authorities that he had shot his father in the head, and claimed to have taken his mother and siblings hostage.

The caller also said he had a handgun and had poured fuel over the house and wanted to set the property on fire.

Police say they surrounded the address the caller had given, and were preparing to make contact with the suspect reportedly inside when Finch came to the door.

They said one round was released by officers after the 28-year-old failed to comply with verbal orders to keep his hands up, and appeared to move his hands toward his waist multiple times.

Police say Finch was later found to be unarmed, and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. A search found four of his family members inside, none of them dead, injured or taken hostage.

His family told local media that he was not involved in online gaming.

"The irresponsible actions of the prankster put people and lives at risk," said Wichita Police Department Deputy Chief Troy Livingston.

"The incident was a nightmare for everyone involved, including the family and our police department.”

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