Minnesota man arrested for 2022 Vass 'swatting' attempt
Wayne County authorities made an arrest Tuesday in a swatting case started in 2022.
According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, deputies received a false report of multiple people being shot on Oct. 16, 2022 at a home in Vass. Responding officers evaluated the circumstances and found no shooting had occurred before a SWAT team was deployed.
“Swatting” is an attempt to elicit a significant law enforcement response to a false report of violence and has been prominent in the United States in recent years.
Investigators traced the false report to 18-year-old Austin Dow of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. According to Fields, Dow made the report as revenge over a failed relationship with a local female.
Fields said Dow demanded money from the female, threatening to call law enforcement before making the report.
Investigators arrested Dow on Tuesday after he was brought to North Carolina to face criminal charges.
Authorities charged Dow with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including extortion and conspiracy.
Dow’s first court appearance is on Wednesday in Moore County District Court.
