Yet more dystopic news involves the swatting of a Minecraft streamer who is raising money to fund her grandson’s cancer treatment. Swatting involves submitting false tips to local police in order to incite a raid on a person’s house. The practice is a felony, and has regularly targeted live streamers for years, most tragically resulting in the fatal shooting of an innocent man in 2017.
YouTube streamer GrammaCrackers was asleep when police and SWAT officers entered her home under false pretenses. Her stream was still live, with chat in control of her game as she slept. The 81-year-old is “live until I beat Minecraft for the first time,” with all revenue generated from the stream going to her grandson’s cancer treatment. There is also a GoFundMe to directly support her grandson Jack’s ongoing battle with cancer.
The VOD above is clipped from GrammaCrackers’ stream the next day, during which her and one of her grandkids discuss the incident. No one was hurt, luckily, and the streamer seems to be taking the swatting in stride. “I thought, ‘What had my grandkids pulled?’” she said in reference to being escorted out of her home by the police. “It did upset my cat, […] because she wanted attention after everyone left, and I wanted to tell her, ‘No, I’ve got to sleep.’“
According to her grandson, who helps manage the stream, 20 police cars and five SWAT vehicles were called to GrammaCrackers’ house, with “drones flying over the top of the house.” GrammaCrackers appears no worse for wear from the incident, admitting it was exciting to ride in a police car for the first time, and noting that she returned home and immediately went back to sleep.
GrammaCrackers’ fundraising hasn’t ceased, and she’s live at the time of writing (embedded above). The swatting is ultimately an indictment of numerous involved parties and systems. While potentially exaggerated, the police presence is excessive for responding to an anonymous tip. The viewer who initiated the swatting is either attempting to get someone hurt, or is misguided in thinking the situation is humorous, and will hopefully face due punishment. And last but not least, an 81-year-old fundraising for her grandchild’s cancer treatment is a truly horrific example of the failings of healthcare in the United States.
The only silver lining is the increased attention brought to GrammaCrackers’ stream. Swatting has forced streamers to move in the past, among other consequences, and will likely continue to be an issue. GrammaCrackers is just one of many elderly folks who have taken up streaming, the most famous perhaps being the beloved Skyrim Grandma. The unfortunate incident aside, it’s heartwarming to see Minecraft and gaming at large reach people of all ages, and be used for admirable causes.
- Released
-
November 18, 2011
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Mojang
- Publisher(s)
-
Mojang
- Engine
-
LWJGL, PROPRIETARY ENGINE
