Warzone cited as ‘major violent influence’ in US homicide case
Call of Duty Warzone has been cited as a major violent influence in a US homicide case involving a nine-year-old gamer.
19th Mar 2024 16:10
Images via Activision
Warzone cited as ‘major violent influence’ in US homicide case
Call of Duty Warzone has been cited as a major violent influence in a US homicide case involving a nine-year-old gamer.
19th Mar 2024 16:10
Images via Activision
Warzone, the popular battle royale title from the Call of Duty franchise, has been cited as a "major violent influence" in a homicide case involving a nine-year-old gamer.
On February 19, 2024, a nine-year-old boy was arrested in Utah over the suspected murder of a 32-year-old male, who appeared to be his father.
Details in the homicide case, which have now been publicised through the arrest warrant, include claims from the Utah Police that Warzone may have influenced weapons and means of murder.
Utah Police name Warzone as an influence in recent homicide case
According to Fox 13 News (via Dexerto), details of a recent arrest of a nine-year-old boy from Utah claimed that his father may have been killed by weapons that imitated Warzone, a game that the child was familiar with.
The report states that the nine-year-old with "behavioural issues" shot and slashed his father before informing the rest of the household that the victim was bleeding.
Fox News provided a statement from the Utah Police, which said Warzone was an influence on the boy, as the title "incorporated the same weapons in gameplay that were found and used in the assault, a 9mm Glock type handgun and a tomahawk."
The boy spent "a lot of time watching videos and playing video games," with Warzone being among those mentioned by the Police.
The arrest warrant, obtained by Fox 13 News, says that information on such devices will be analysed to understand "how and/or why these specific methods and weapons were used in the homicide."
Fox 13 News also detailed that the incident was a single shot wound to the back of the head, with "gruesome" lacerations made by the large blade.
Previously, Call of Duty was also claimed to have influenced other criminals, namely Daniel Khalife, whose escape from prison in London, UK, was reportedly inspired by the series.
Due to the suspect's age, GGRecon has declined to name the victim and the alleged perpetrator.
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
