Georgia Teen Facing Charges After Texting Friend She Had Been Shot as a Prank

Another one bites the dust. Georgia police say a 17-year-old was arrested after she texted her friend that she had been shot. It was all a lie.

On July 29, Tanija Hallman allegedly sent the alarming text to a friend around noon, adding that she was unable to call for help. In a “supposed” dire situation, the friend called the Valdosta, Georgia’s 911 line and told the dispatcher Hallman’s address. While police were responding to the home, Hallman texted her friend, saying it was all a joke, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. However, officers still had to confirm that it was indeed a prank.

When they arrived at the location, they were unable to make contact with the “alleged” victim. Eventually, they found her at another home, unharmed. Hallman told authorities it was a prank she saw on social media.

“Our officers responded in full emergency mode to this so-called prank,” Chief Leslie Manahan told Fox Atlanta 5. “Not only were our officers’ lives at risk but also so many people who were traveling on our roadways as emergency vehicles were responding. Due to the nature of this call for service, our officers had to spend time to ensure that no one had been injured, which pulled them from answering other emergency calls. We will continue to prosecute anyone who falsifies a crime for social media attention.”

The prank has since landed her in hot water. A warrant for her arrest was issued. Hallman was arrested the next day on misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct, false reporting of a crime, and unlawful conduct during a 911 call.