© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Judge Sets September Trial For Online Gamers In Swatting Case

Hugo Phan
/
KMUW/File photo

A federal judge has set a fall trial date for two online gamers whose alleged dispute over video game bet ultimately led police to fatally shoot a Wichita man while responding to a hoax call.

U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren on Monday scheduled a Sept. 4 jury trial for 18-year-old Casey Viner of North College Hill, Ohio, and 19-year-old Shane Gaskill of Wichita. They are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, wire fraud and other counts.

Prosecutors allege Viner became upset while playing the Call of Duty WWII video game and asked 25-year-old Tyler Barriss of Los Angeles to "swat" Gaskill, the practice of making a false report to get emergency responders to descend on an address.

A police officer fatally shot 28-year-old Andrew Finch after he opened the door.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.