History of Swatting in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 26, 2025

Swatting is a criminal harassment tactic involving deception to trigger an emergency response at someone's location. Perpetrators falsely report severe situations like bomb threats, violence, or false mental health emergencies, manipulating emergency services into dispatching SWAT teams or other responders. This can cause significant distress, endanger the victim, and waste valuable resources.

2008: FBI uses the term swatting

As early as 2008, the FBI started using the term "swatting", indicating the growing recognition and awareness of this specific type of prank call targeting emergency services.

2010: Cyberstalking cases between 2010 and 2013 resulted in only 10 cases prosecuted

Between 2010 and 2013, there were 2.5 million cases of cyberstalking, but only 10 cases were prosecuted, as mentioned in an op-ed by Congresswoman Clark. This statistic highlights the challenges in prosecuting cybercrimes.

2011: Ted Lieu authored a bill to increase penalties for swatting

In 2011, California State Senator Ted Lieu authored a bill to increase penalties for swatting. His family later became victims of swatting when the bill was proposed, with law enforcement surrounding their home.

April 2013: Ted Lieu swatted while advocating for anti-swatting laws

In April 2013, California State Senator Ted Lieu, who was actively promoting anti-swatting laws, himself became a victim of swatting. This incident underscored the pervasive nature of the crime, even for those working to combat it.

2013: Cyberstalking cases between 2010 and 2013 resulted in only 10 cases prosecuted

2013: Mir Islam targeted multiple public figures with swatting hoaxes

In 2013, Mir Islam, leader of a fraud network, targeted computer security expert Brian Krebs and other public figures, including prosecutor Stephen P. Heymann, congressman Mike Rogers, and even Michelle Obama, with swatting hoaxes. Islam's actions demonstrated the malicious intent behind swatting.

2013: Several U.S. celebrities become victims of swatting

In 2013, numerous U.S. celebrities, including Sean Combs (P. Diddy), Ashton Kutcher, Tom Cruise, Chris Brown, Miley Cyrus, Iggy Azalea, Jason Derulo, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, and Clint Eastwood, were victims of swatting incidents, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the crime.

August 2014: Hal Finney continued receiving threats until his death

Hal Finney, a paralyzed computer scientist, was swatted in 2014 after refusing to pay a ransom. He continued receiving threats until his death in August 2014, illustrating the long-term distress caused by swatting.

January 15, 2015: Police chief Louis Ross shot during swatting incident

On January 15, 2015, in Sentinel, Oklahoma, Police Chief Louis Ross was shot multiple times during a swatting incident at Dallas Horton's residence. The calls falsely reported a bomb threat at a local preschool, leading law enforcement to make a forced entry.

2015: Paul D. Moriarty announces bill to increase sentences for hoax emergency calls

In 2015, New Jersey State Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty introduced a bill to increase sentences for hoax emergency calls, proposing prison sentences up to ten years and fines up to $150,000. He was subsequently targeted by a hoax.

2015: Robert Walker-McDaid pleads guilty to perverting the course of justice

In 2015, Robert Walker-McDaid pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to perverting the course of justice related to a swatting incident. He received a suspended sentence and was ordered to complete community service and pay compensation to the victim, Tyran Dobbs.

2015: Bipartisan bill in Congress makes swatting a federal crime

In 2015, a bipartisan bill in Congress, sponsored by Katherine Clark and Patrick Meehan, made swatting a federal crime with increased penalties. This legislation aimed to address the growing issue of swatting.

2015: Swatting enters Oxford Dictionaries Online

In 2015, the term "swatting" was officially added to the Oxford Dictionaries Online, marking its formal recognition and integration into common language.

January 31, 2016: Rep. Clark's house targeted in swatting incident

On January 31, 2016, an anonymous caller fraudulently reported an incident at Rep. Katherine Clark's house as revenge for her sponsoring a bill that made swatting a federal crime. Police responded to her residence due to the false report.

December 28, 2017: Andrew Finch shot and killed by police in swatting incident

On December 28, 2017, Andrew Finch was fatally shot by a Wichita police officer during a swatting incident at his Kansas residence. The incident stemmed from a dispute between Call of Duty: WWII players.

December 29, 2017: Tyler Raj Barriss arrested in connection to Andrew Finch's death

On December 29, 2017, Tyler Raj Barriss, also known as "SWAuTistic" and "GoredTutor36" online, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with the swatting incident that led to Andrew Finch's death the previous day.

2017: Fatal swatting incident

In 2017, a fatal swatting occurred. This incident led to a California man being sentenced to 20 years in prison in March 2019, emphasizing the high risk and severe consequences associated with swatting.

October 2018: Seattle Police Department institutes three-part approach to combating swatting

In October 2018, the Seattle Police Department implemented a three-part strategy to combat swatting. This approach included educating 911 dispatchers, informing responding officers, and creating an opt-in registry for potential victims.

2018: Barriss indicted by a federal grand jury

In 2018, Tyler Raj Barriss was indicted by a federal grand jury along with two others involved in the December 2017 swatting incident. He faced severe penalties, including a potential life sentence.

March 2019: California man sentenced to 20 years for fatal swatting

In March 2019, a California man received a 20-year prison sentence for carrying out a fatal swatting incident in 2017, highlighting the severe legal consequences of such actions.

March 29, 2019: Tyler Raj Barriss sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment

On March 29, 2019, Tyler Raj Barriss was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the 2017 swatting incident that resulted in the death of Andrew Finch.

September 2019: Seattle Police Department forms Swatting Mitigation Advisory Committee

In September 2019, the Seattle Police Department established the Swatting Mitigation Advisory Committee, composed of community and police experts. The committee's goal is to improve understanding of swatting through data collection, protocol formalization, and awareness promotion.

2019: Anti-Defamation League estimates 1,000 swatting incidents

In 2019, the Anti-Defamation League estimated approximately 1,000 swatting incidents occurred nationwide, each costing around $10,000 in police time, highlighting the scale and financial impact of swatting.

April 27, 2020: Mark Herring dies of heart attack after swatting incident

On April 27, 2020, Mark Herring died of a heart attack after police responded to a false report at his Tennessee home. The swatting was intended to force him to relinquish his Twitter handle, "@tennessee".

March 21, 2022: Kiwi Farms harassment campaign began

On March 21, 2022, a harassment campaign led by Kiwi Farms began against Canadian transgender streamer and political commentator Clara "Keffals" Sorrenti. This harassment culminated in her being swatted on August 5, 2022.

July 2022: Federal judge Emmet G. Sullivan swatted

In July 2022, Emmet G. Sullivan, a U.S. federal judge, was the victim of a swatting incident. At the time, he was presiding over cases related to the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

August 5, 2022: Transgender streamer Keffals swatted and misgendered

On August 5, 2022, Canadian transgender streamer Clara "Keffals" Sorrenti was swatted at her home. The perpetrators also sent a threatening email and a photo of a firearm to London city councillors, and Sorrenti was misgendered by police officers during the incident.

August 2022: Marjorie Taylor Greene swatted in Georgia

In August 2022, U.S. representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was swatted in Georgia. The caller allegedly opposed her positions on transgender rights.

June 2023: FBI to create a swatting database

In June 2023, the FBI announced plans to create a database for tracking swatting incidents, aiming to enhance information-sharing among local police agencies.

November 2023: Ned Luke swatted during live stream

In November 2023, Ned Luke, the voice actor for Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto V, was swatted during a Thanksgiving live stream. He received a warning phone call before prematurely ending the stream.

December 2023: Widespread swatting threats against American politicians

Since early December 2023 and continuing through late December 2023, there have been widespread doxing, swatting, and violent threats against American politicians. Initially, the targets were predominately Republican Party members and conservatives, but later, members of the Democratic Party were also increasingly targeted.