An incident involving a 17-year-old girl in Georgia has led to multiple charges.
At approximately 12:12 p.m. last Saturday, Valdosta officers and emergency responders were dispatched to a residence on Northside Drive in response to a teenager making a jocular call to her friend, claiming she had been shot.
According to Valdosta officials, a concerned citizen contacted 911 and reported that her friend, later identified as Tanji Hallman, had texted her claiming to have been shot and unable to call for help.
As officers were en route to the residence, the citizen informed dispatch that Hallman had sent another text clarifying that it was a “joke,” but could not be reached.
Upon arriving at the scene, police learned that Hallman was actually at a different address, not the one on Northside Drive.
Upon questioning, Hallman admitted to the officers that the text was indeed a joke. She explained that she had seen a similar “prank” on a social media platform.
The following day, Hallman was arrested at her residence and is now facing charges of reckless conduct, making a false report of a crime (a misdemeanor), and engaging in unlawful conduct during a 911 call. She was subsequently taken to the Lowndes County Jail.
Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan emphasized the seriousness of the situation, expressing concern for the safety of officers and the public, and reiterated the intent to prosecute individuals who fabricate crimes for attention on social media.
