Three charged over "swatting" attempts in USA and Canada
It's after a lengthy investigation involving Merseyside Police and US law enforcement
Last updated 30th Apr 2025
Three people have been charged with reporting made-up serious incidents to prompt an emergency response in the USA and Canada.
Dylan Ash, 18, from Warrington, and Liam White, 22, from Western-super-Mare, Somerset, have been charged with three counts of conspiring together, and with others, to do a series of acts tending or intending to pervert the course of justice.
Keiron Ellison, 18, from St Helens, has been charged with two counts of conspiring together, and with others, to do a series of acts tending or intending to pervert the course of justice.
They are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Thursday 1 May).
Detective Sergeant Steve Frame said:
"The charges are the culmination of an extensive investigation by Merseyside Police working with US law enforcement, including the FBI.
"They relate to the online activities of an internet based group between October 2022 and April 2023, which planned, advertised and carried out calls to emergency services and internet celebrities reporting fabricated serious, life threatening incidents, ‘active shooter threats’ to prompt an emergency response."
Bethan David, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter Terrorism Division, said:
"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these three defendants are now active and that they have the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.