A preteen who killed a friend inside a Georgia home was playing Activision's popular first-person-shooter before the fatal shots were fired.


According to ABC affiliate WJBF, three young boys were playing Call of Duty: Black Ops on the night of March 26th, when the eldest of them picked up a semi-automatic that belonged to his parents. The 12-year-old boy pointed the gun around and pulled the trigger several times. The weapon discharged one of those times, inflicting wounds that killed 10-year-old Hunter Morris.

The case—which has led to a charge of involuntary manslaughter—is being called an accident. Still, the television station reporting the incident spoke to child psychiatrist Dr. Dale Peeples, who said that playing games like Black Ops could have contributed to this terrible event:

"A game that is rated M for Mature, probably doesn't belong in the hands of a 12 year old"


While it's common to dismiss media outlets' convenient linkages between violent video games and crime as sensationalist, this time—because of the closeness of the crime and the gameplay—it might not be as easy. Authorities are still investigating the killing.

Investigators: Kids Were Playing Violent Video Game Before 10-Year-Old Was Shot And Killed [WJBF.com]