Ex-cop shot dead after police say he catfished girl, killed her family | USA TODAY

Authorities in California shot and killed Austin Lee Edwards, a former police officer in Virginia, after he fled with a teen girl he catfished.

RELATED: Adoptive parents lose custody after biker shootout

The suspect in a triple homicide who died in a shootout with police Friday in Southern California apparently drove across the country to meet a teen girl he catfished online, before killing three of her family members, police said.

Austin Lee Edwards, 28, also likely set fire to the family’s home in Riverside, California, before leaving with the girl, the Riverside Police Department announced in a news release.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies killed Edwards, a former police officer, after locating him with the teenager later that day, police said. Edwards, who police said lived in North Chesterfield, Virginia, met the girl online and obtained her personal information by deceiving her with a false identity, known as “catfishing."

» Subscribe to USA TODAY:
» Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY:
» USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.

#Police #Catfishing #Crime

36 comments

    1. @Brenton Carter A lie means the person knows the truth. Are you claiming you or the other person knows all the details?

    1. @rando why does everyone get butthurt when I bring up the elected democrat who just stabbed a journalist to death over a hit piece in Arizona?

      If the fact that this murderer is a former cop is so important, why is bringing up the fact an elected official who just murdered a journalist over a hit piece is a democrat so problematic?

    2. California’s most prolific serial killer? A retired Cop… Seems like the police need REAL oversite… Not just asking the police to check themselves… Maybe this is a trend.

    1. California’s most prolific serial killer? A retired Cop… Seems like the police need REAL oversite… Not just asking the police to check themselves… Maybe this is a trend.

  1. this is just what cops do.
    This is why they hire peope like this, because they are all like this.
    They let this man resign, why? so he could go on to be hired by another department.
    if he had gotten away with this, THATS what would be happening

  2. “Met online” ah Facebook, what have you done to our planet. That’s rhetorical btw. It really is a social network for preditors, narcissists and the young and vulnerable – great combo.

  3. Let’s not forget that the biggest payouts in the markets don’t come from great performances but rather it’s great promotions. Stay invested, diversification for streams of incomes is very important And with the right skills and proper understanding of how the market works.

    1. @SAMAILA SANI It’s best you contact her directly but to be honest I invested as low as $1000 because I was skeptical initially. Receiving my profit gave me more confidence to reinvest…. She only charges 10% commission from the overall profit generated

    2. I must commend her good work,, she’s good and guaranteed, work with her and see forex trading from another dimension 😊.contact her today and have financial freedom and Peace of mind.

    3. @Lea Florence These is Solution I have been looking for.. thanks guys for referring. I will message her right away ☺️, hope she replies soon

  4. They let anybody get a badge these days smh. He doesn’t even look like he’s fit for Paw Patrol, let alone a police officer

  5. A person that was hired to uphold the law broke the law and they always tell us that this would never happen that cops don’t commit crimes cops are real people and they are subject to committing crimes just like anyone else. I am so sorry for this family my condolences to all who survive this monster

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.