“Let me guess, it’s because of GTA right?”
With the release of a brand new console, it was only a matter of time before we started hearing about a fresh wave of video games-related violence.
Sure enough, a PlayStation 4 sale gone wrong yesterday afternoon in Orlando, Florida left one man dead and another in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.
Emmanuel Johnson, 25, and an unidentified 23-year-old man arranged to meet outside Orlando police headquarters at 4:30 pm for the sale of the new console. At the last minute, however, the meeting place was changed to the 700 block of West Church Street where the shooting took place.
The exchange left Johnson shot dead, and the 23-year-old in the hospital.
While police do not think any other individuals were involved in the shooting, it remains under investigation according to OPD spokesman Sgt. Jim Young.
Under investigation it may be, but it hasn’t stopped OPD from posting a picture of the deceased’s mug shot while continuing to protect the identity of the other (supposed) shooter. I suppose this drives a few holes into the theory that if everyone gets guns, the safety of the situation skyrockets.
Still, no matter the situation, I’m sorry to see that someone ended up dead because of a shiny box that plays pretty pictures. While this incident is certainly not the first trace of violence associated with the launch of the PS4, it is by far the most deadly.
Earlier last week, two PS4 thefts were reported in Bakersfield, California – the first in the parking lot at a GameStop where a young man accosted a newly-minted PS4 owner with a “replica gun” whereby he took the console, and left in a maroon sedan that was immediately called into to police. Two suspects were arrested and the stolen PS4 recovered. The second took place outside of a Best Buy where a masked gunman threatened a new PS4 owner twice before he escaped with the PS4 in a white 2004 or 2005 minivan. No arrest has been made.
Increased security measures have been considered for the upcoming release of the Xbox One in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The Xbox One launches in stores on November 22.
