US Cop Pretends to be 17-Year-Old Boy, Kills Minor’s Family after She Refuses to Share Intimate Pictures

In US, a cop was killed in a shoot-out after he pretended to be a 17-year-old boy, and killed a minor girl and her family after she refused to share intimate pictures with him. The cop, identified as Austin Lee Edwards, met his death in a shootout as he attempted to flee from the authorities. Austin was a sheriff’s deputy in the US state of Virginia.

The 15-year-old victim to the horrific incident, was fortunately rescued, and was sent to trauma counselling. Reportedly, 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards, formed a digital relationship by posing as a 17-year-old boy. He also wanted to obtain her personal information over the course of their relationship by posing as a minor, an offence known as “catfishing”.

The accused cop reportedly burned the minor girl’s house down, killing at least three adults in her family. “Their bodies were pulled outside where it was determined they were victims of an apparent homicide. Firefighters continued their efforts until the fire was placed under control and eventually extinguished,” a statement by the police department read.

Riverside police chief Larry Gonzalez said that it is “disgusting” to have someone in the police involved in such heinous crimes. “How did this person get past a background investigation?”, Gonzales said.

Contents hide

1. The Facts of the Matter

2. Cop Formed Relationship, Asked for Intimate Pics

3. Minor Sent to Trauma Counselling

4. Press Release Gives Shocking Account of Incident

The Facts of the Matter

Thanks to social media, young minors, teenagers and adults, all are equally vulnerable to being catfished and being victims of extortion. Catfished is a term popularly used when a person conceals their identity to pose as someone, form a relationship with a victim, and then extort trade secrets, money, and other personal details. They also sexually abuse them, an action known as ‘sextortion’.

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Cop Formed Relationship, Asked for Intimate Pics

In one such incident, a US cop pretended to be a 17-year-old boy, formed an online relationship with a minor girl. Later, when the man asked the girls for her intimate pictures, she stopped communicating with him.

While it is not officially proven, it is being speculated that the cop reacted violently to the refusal, and burned the 17-year-old girl’s house down – killing her entire family.

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Minor Sent to Trauma Counselling

The minor was rescued, and was later sent to counselling for the trauma she endured.

The accused in the matter was identified as 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards, ansheriff’s deputy in Virginia. The victims were identified as Mark Winek (69), Sharie Winek (65), and Brooke Winek (38).

The police department where the incident took place issued a press release after the incident. “Riverside Police Officers were dispatched to check the welfare of a young female who appeared distressed while getting into a Red Kia Soul with a man,” an excerpt of the release read.

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Press Release Gives Shocking Account of Incident

“While officers were responding, our Public Safety Communications Center began receiving calls of a structure fire just a few houses away from where the check the welfare call originated. The Riverside Fire Department arrived first and reported a working fire on the first floor of the residence. They initiated a fire attack, made entry, then discovered three adult victims laying on the ground in the front entry way,” the statement further read.

As per a release, the accused later exchanged gunfire with the San Bernardino deputies who were attempting to stop him. In the exchange, he was shot down, and later pronounced dead.