Knockout game
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Knockout, also known as the knockout game and knockout king, is a violent activity played by teenagers in which they attack an innocent pedestrian in an attempt to knock him or her unconscious with one punch.[1] The game can result in serious injuries or death for its victims and corresponding criminal charges for those playing it.
Cases involving teens playing knockout
Cases involving teens playing knockout come to light when extremely serious consequences turn deadly. In one such case, in 1992, three teens were charged with assaulting an MIT student while he and a friend were walking near campus. Prosecutors said that one of the teens stabbed the student through the heart, killing him.[2] In another case, a St. Louis, Missouri teenager and his friends allegedly attacked a couple as they were walking home from the market. After one of the teens struck the man, he hit his head on the ground and ultimately died in hospital.[3]
Both cases involved immigrants. The MIT student was Norwegian and was chatting with a compatriot when he was killed. The victim in St. Louis was a Vietnamese immigrant that was walking home from the Vietnamese market with his wife. Although authorities are unsure whether immigrants are targeted, the fact that immigrants are victims often makes other immigrants in the same area feel more at risk.
On September 20, 2012 According to the authorities, St. Cloud Police were dispatched around 11:20 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2012 on a report of an assault in the 600 block, between 8th and 9th avenues south. Investigators say Smithers was a passenger in a vehicle that was driving through the alley where the victim, Colton Gleason, and two other individuals were walking. Smithers, a black male, told the driver to stop the car and then got out of the vehicle. Charges say Smithers then approached the group and struck Gleason in the head with a closed fist. Gleason dropped to the ground. Smither then got back into the vehicle and said he punched Gleason. Police say Gleason was unconscious while being transported by ambulance to St. Cloud Hospital, and regained consciousness at the hospital, but died from his injuries. Police arrested Smithers after receiving a tip a few days later. Smithers’ bail was set at $1,000,000 with no conditions and $500,000 with conditions. [4]
In May 2013, a 51 year-old man named Michael Daniels died from his injuries after he was attacked outside a convenience store in Syracuse, NY, by two teenagers playing the game.[5] The suspects, 15 year-old Ander Grady and an unnamed 13 year-old, were charged with manslaughter.[6] Grady's charges were later upgraded to criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and assault.[7]
References
- ^ Salter, Jim (December 24, 2011). "Unprovoked attacks at heart of 'Knockout King'". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ^ "MIT student's death attributed to violent "knockout" game". The Day. September 23, 1992. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ^ Mann, Jennifer (April 22, 2011). "Violence for fun may be spreading among teens". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ^ http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/01/07/sauk-rapids-teen-charged-as-adult-in-one-punch-killing/#comments
- ^ Benny, Michael (May 30, 2013). "Deadly and savage attack on Syracuse man was part of teen game called 'Knock Out'". CNYCentral.com. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
- ^ Patterson, Sara (June 5, 2013). "Syracuse 'Knockout' case against 15-year-old goes to grand jury". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ Patterson, Sara (July 2, 2013). "New charges against 15-year-old accused in Syracuse 'knockout' homicide stick". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 2 July 2013.