Crime & Safety
Montco Teen, Fortnite World Champ, 'Swatted' At Home: Reports
A prank caller told police that the teen, who recently won $3 million as the Fortnite world champ, had shot his father, sources state.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The Montgomery County teen who earned a $3 million payday recently when he won the Fortnite world championship was the victim of a dangerous prank recently, according to authorities and media reports.
Someone called police pretending to be 16-year-old Kyle Giersdorf, saying that he had shot his father several times at their Upper Pottsgrove home, CNN reports.
>>Montgomery County Teen Wins Fortnite World Cup, $3 Million
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The prank, known as "swatting," warns police of a fake violent emergency in an attempt to lure SWAT teams and first responders to the victim's home.
Giersdorf, who plays under the name "Bugha," was livestreaming a game of Fortnite on the platform Twitch when the incident occurred.
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Armed law enforcement entered the home, but no one was injured in the incident.
Local police are investigating.
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