HCPD STATEMENT, SWATTING CASE

The case in which Tyran Dobbs was victimized in a swatting incident is still being actively

investigated, both internally and criminally, to find the person responsible for the fake call to

authorities. While we cannot provide an interview while the cases remain open, I am happy to

provide you with information about this incident and our experience with swatting in general.

Dobbs case

In the Tyran Dobbs case, a man called authorities claiming to be Mr. Dobbs. He advised that he

had three hostages, a loaded gun, several explosive devices, and was demanding $15,000. He

provided his specific address and advised he would execute the first hostage in 15 minutes if his

demands were not immediately met.

Police responded to the scene and determined Tyran Dobbs was, in fact, inside the residence

with three females. They contacted the lease holder for the apartment, who advised he is Mr.

Dobbs father. According to police reports from a lieutenant and sergeant on-scene, Mr. Dobbs father advised that there was a gun in the apartment and that he could not be sure whether or not

these were credible threats from his son.

Negotiators made contact with a woman inside the apartment, who was able to exit with her

child. They were immediately transported away from the scene for their safety and to be

interviewed. A third female, believed to be Mr. Dobbs girlfriend, remained inside.

Mr. Dobbs was initially seen by officers crawling on the floor in front of a sliding glass door. He

then came to the open slider twice and both times police repeatedly directed him to come out and

show his hands. Mr. Dobbs did not comply and walked back into the apartment.

The third time he walked to the glass slider, Mr. Dobbs was given the same direction by officers,

but kept his hand inside the lower front of his shirt. Before he could again walk back toward the

bedroom, where a woman who may be a hostage was still inside, he was struck with two non-

lethal rubber rounds to prevent him from retreating back inside the apartment.

Mr. Dobbs was struck in the torso and started to fall forward. A second round also intended for

his torso struck Mr. Dobbs in the face as he was falling to the ground. A doctor who is part of the

countys tactical response team was on-scene and rendered immediate aid before Mr. Dobbs was transported to the hospital.

In a consent search of the residence, officers located a small quantity of drugs. This is relevant

because after interviewing all of the parties involved, it was clear that the people inside the

apartment believed the drugs were the reason the police were at the residence. They were not

aware of the alleged hostage situation. It was determined that this was a swatting incident.

Investigators believe that Mr. Dobbs, who has been cooperative with police, was targeted by an

online gamer. The investigation has led detectives to work with the FBI and Interpol, as it

appears that the case may have ties in the UK.

Swatting in Howard County This case is an example of why swatting is so serious and dangerous. Police responded to this

scene for a hostage-taker and when they arrived, the situation appeared to corroborate specific

factual details provided by the caller. When Mr. Dobbs repeatedly refused to come out of the

residence, it further raised the concerns of the officers that this could be a legitimately dangerous

situation for the woman inside.

This is the fourth swatting incident in Howard County in the last year. Each of the other cases

was resolved without incident when police made phone contact with the occupants, who

complied with officers requests to exit the residence. In those cases, with the residents cooperation, police were able to make immediate confirmation of the false report.

Like all law enforcement agencies, we must take a threat of a hostage situation seriously and

respond with appropriate resources until the situation is resolved. The goal is always to protect

the safety of all involved: victims, suspects and officers. Thats why our officers use non-lethal weapons whenever possible, given the circumstances.

Investigation status

The police department is taking every possible measure to identify the person responsible for

targeting Mr. Dobbs and manipulating the police response to the location. This includes

extensive and complicated computer forensics work with multiple law enforcement agencies.

Our detectives have maintained regular contact with Mr. Dobbs as the investigation has

progressed.

The agency is also undertaking a detailed internal investigation, which will be reviewed by the

Chief of Police, to ensure officers took appropriate action given all of the information and

circumstances presented to them during the incident.

The issue of medical expenses is one that is handled by the countys Risk Management and Office of Law. I confirmed that county attorneys have received and responded to an inquiry from

an attorney representing Mr. Dobbs.

Safety tips

Without question, Mr. Dobbs was targeted and victimized in this case by a fellow online gamer.

The incident demonstrates the extreme risk and danger of swatting calls. Police would urge

people to never provide personal information online. Police also urge anyone who is contacted

by officers to comply with their requests, even if they are confused about the police presence and

dont know or understand the reason for the contact.

Swatting incidents are growing in frequency and police are continually working to identify those

responsible. At the same time, a law enforcement agencys primary role is to try to best protect the safety of our citizens, given all of the information known to us at the time an incident is

occurring. Any use of force is taken very seriously by the Howard County Police Department.

Officers are expected and required to use utmost prudence and restraint given the totality of the

circumstances in any incident.