Three teens charged: Molotov Cocktails at Cars. GTA IV mentioned.

[guinaevere]

Listening to 750wsb this evening, they announced that the recent car bombings in Milton, Georgia have led to the arrest of three teens. They're being charged with 57 felony counts. The station said the damage was something like $19k, but I think I misheard. With the number of cars involved (six) there's no way its only $19,000 worth of damage unless they were Yugos.

Anyway, the story off of the AP only states that one of the kids learned how to make molotov cocktails by playing GTA IV. The broadcast said the kids were looking for excitment and one of the cops who spoke to the station said the kid was inspired by the game.

I wish the station had the transcript of their broadcast, but for now the brief AP story (http://wsbradio.com/news/080708carfires.html) has to do. It'll be interesting to see if this gets big coverage and becomes an anti game issue. If it does, I'm saying this right now: GTA IV is an M-rated game (17+). These kids were 15 & 16. Who bought the game, folks?


Teens Arrested in Car Fires


MILTON, Ga. (AP) Investigators have arrested three teenagers in a recent series of car bombings with Molotov cocktails in the city of Milton, north of Atlanta. Authorities say one suspect admitted learning how to make Molotov cocktails from the video game ``Grand Theft Auto,'' which has been blamed for other crimes of violence in the U.S. and abroad.
Police said Thursday that the suspects, 15 and 16, will be charged with 57 felony counts, including arson and possession of explosive devices in six vehicle fires between 11 p.m. July 24 and 3 a.m. the next morning.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Scorch]

I wonder if anyone that blames GTA actually plays GTA. It doesn't show you how to make 'em.. you can only pick 'em up..

unless it shows you how towards the end, I haven't beaten it yet.

[distgfx]

I wonder if anyone that blames GTA actually plays GTA.

Don't be silly, we know the media never plays games.

Yay for putting the blame on games when they should be punishing those responsible!

[ToadallyAwesome]

Video games are at fault.

I attacked a 20 story building with a bread knife after I finished Shadow of the Colossus.

[SNAKE EYES EX]

http://www.nekowabaka.com/thompson_ambulance_chaser.gif

[Jest]

Video games are at fault.

I attacked a 20 story building with a bread knife after I finished Shadow of the Colossus.


I like to disassemble walls mix up the bricks then reassemble them.

[Magus8472]

Wait, the issue is that GTA4 taught them how to make a molotov cocktail and is thus culpable?

Could've just as easily blamed Wikipedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov_cocktail)

Guess that wouldn't be sensational enough.

[Kendal]

GTAIV raped my dog.

[Reality's Fringe]

Apparently kids today are so stupid that they can't figure out that (Flammable liquid+glass container)+fire= explosion.

[lordxixor101]

I know I haven't played every mission in GTA IV yet, but I haven't learned how to create anything explosive. I did learn that if you shoot a rocket launcher into a row of cars, they all explode.

I know i have discussions about what's real and what isn't (and video games aren't real) all the time with my nephew. He has a pretty good grasp about it too (sometimes gets a bit excited, and wants to kick the door down like Leon does on Resident Evil 4). But, then again, he is 3 (I know, I know, I shouldn't have played Resident Evil 4 around him, long story, and I really don't think it was that bad, for an M rated game). So, if he can get it, I'm pretty sure anyone over the age of 8 can understand that you don't do this stuff.

Why don't kids just drive fast down the road and blame Fast and the Furious? I never hear that news story.

[Magentis]

I guess people don't want to believe such young kids could be so wreckless and stupid. But the fact is, they are. If it wasn't a video game giving them inspiration it would've been something else.

[GuardianE]

I smashed a frying pan against my brother's face.

I propose the banning of Bugs Bunny, that little fluffy asshole.

[anomynous]

Gwen, are you implying that 16 is too young to be playing GTA?

[GuardianE]

Gwen, are you implying that 16 is too young to be playing GTA?


I believe he's implying that it's the parents responsibility to decide what a 16 year old should be playing and if they were willing to purchase that game for their child, then they should assume the liability incurred.

The product is clearly labeled and sales clerks are instructed to ask for proper forms of ID. If a parent is present and depending on where they go, the cashier can rattle off the warnings of "Alcohol Use, Graphic Realistic Violence, Strong Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, etc."

The parents should have known what they were doing. And even if the game had nothing to do with their actions (which I'm inclined to think it did not), it doesn't change the fact that SOMEone had to have given/lent ONE of them the game. Whether it be a cashier, an irresponsible parent, or a Mature rated video game dealer in a dark alley.

[The Notorious ROB]

I believe he's implying that it's the parents responsibility to decide what a 16 year old should be playing and if they were willing to purchase that game for their child, then they should assume the liability incurred.

The product is clearly labeled and sales clerks are instructed to ask for proper forms of ID. If a parent is present and depending on where they go, the cashier can rattle off the warnings of "Alcohol Use, Graphic Realistic Violence, Strong Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, etc."

The parents should have known what they were doing. And even if the game had nothing to do with their actions (which I'm inclined to think it did not), it doesn't change the fact that SOMEone had to have given/lent ONE of them the game. Whether it be a cashier, an irresponsible parent, or a Mature rated video game dealer in a dark alley.Well Said.

Ultimatley the parents should know what their teenagers are doing.

[jer7583]

Going to GTA4 for instructions on how to make molotov cocktails seems like a fine way to lose a hand, or an eye, or get third degree burns.

The fucking media.

[Ex~]

:lol: "learned how to make molotov cocktails by playing GTA IV"


as if:

1. Kids learning how to make something is somehow a bad thing.
2. Learning "how to make" a molotov cocktail is any different from knowing WHAT a molotov cocktail is. Seriously, it's like accusing GTA IV of having detailed instructions for how to make "toast". The "instructions" are in the definition.
3. GTA IV actually teaches you how to "make" molotov cocktails any more than it teaches you how to make a rocket launcher. Seriously, if I took GTA IV's lessons, I'd be led to believe Molotov cocktails are impossibly expensive things that you have to call up a friend to bring over in the trunk of his car.

The product is clearly labeled and sales clerks are instructed to ask for proper forms of ID. If a parent is present and depending on where they go, the cashier can rattle off the warnings of "Alcohol Use, Graphic Realistic Violence, Strong Sexual Content, Blood and Gore, etc."

The parents should have known what they were doing. And even if the game had nothing to do with their actions (which I'm inclined to think it did not), it doesn't change the fact that SOMEone had to have given/lent ONE of them the game. Whether it be a cashier, an irresponsible parent, or a Mature rated video game dealer in a dark alley.


A dictionary has infinitely better instructions on how to make a molotov cocktail than GTA IV does. Store clerks don't ask for ID before selling you a dictionary. And if I picked up *gasp* an ENCYLOPAEDIA, I'd learn that using storm matches as a wick is even more effective than a rag. *Gasp* keep those dangerous encylopaedias away from our children!

[Reality's Fringe]

Hey EX, I can't tell, but is your avatar a section of the Odyssey and Oracle album art (The Zombies)? If so, awesome. Awesome to the MAX.

[Ex~]

Indeed it is, Fringe. Perhaps my favorite album ever since my childhood.

[guinaevere]

as if:

1. Kids learning how to make something is somehow a bad thing.
2. Learning "how to make" a molotov cocktail is any different from knowing WHAT a molotov cocktail is. Seriously, it's like accusing GTA IV of having detailed instructions for how to make "toast". The "instructions" are in the definition.
3. GTA IV actually teaches you how to "make" molotov cocktails any more than it teaches you how to make a rocket launcher. Seriously, if I took GTA IV's lessons, I'd be led to believe Molotov cocktails are impossibly expensive things that you have to call up a friend to bring over in the trunk of his car.Nice.

Not that it matters one way or another but I remember playing Jagged Alliance, and you'd find a piece of cloth, gas, an empty bottle, and other stuff on the ground from time to time and if you put the right parts together, viola! molotov cocktail.

[SeanAmI]

I actually live around this area.
Probably just some rich kids that got bored and thought that no problems would come to them since their parents would just bail them out. Some parents around here seem to think their kids are infallible no matter the evidence to the contrary(My innocent little Johnny would never do something like that). Sadly, it happens all the time around here. I remember a girl that was drunk/high and crashed into someones dining room while they were on vacation and didn't get charged with a thing because the parents paid the other family to keep it quiet.

[Jesus_S_Preston]

GTAIV killed my mother. And raped my father!

[GuardianE]

A dictionary has infinitely better instructions on how to make a molotov cocktail than GTA IV does. Store clerks don't ask for ID before selling you a dictionary. And if I picked up *gasp* an ENCYLOPAEDIA, I'd learn that using storm matches as a wick is even more effective than a rag. *Gasp* keep those dangerous encylopaedias away from our children!


If that was a poke at me, I think you're missing my point.

I agree with you, but if you're going to argue these things, you have to play in the ballpark of ignorant, delusional people who don't know a damn thing about games. You're arguing violent games and their influence on impressionable youth. We've tried that and it doesn't work.

I'm operating from the standpoint that even IF GTA4 is responsible (which I damn well know it's not), EVEN THEN it still is the parents' (or kids' depending on your standpoint) responsibility because they have every warning imaginable.