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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 nonlethal 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.