“A former Virginia police officer, believed to have murdered a teenager’s family in Riverside, California, after “catfishing” her online, was killed in a shootout while trying to flee authorities, the city’s police department said in a news release.
“The ex-cop was identified as Austin Lee Edwards, 28, of North Chesterfield Virginia. Detectives said they believe Edwards had met the teen through “catfishing,” a form of online deception in which someone pretends to be a different person.
“Officers with the Riverside Police were dispatched Friday to check the welfare of a young female who appeared distressed while getting into a red car with a man, police said.
“While officers were responding, 911 dispatchers began getting calls about a fire in the same neighborhood, just a few houses away from where the welfare check originated.”
Read more at CNN
