Families sue over GTAIII-inspired shooting

The families of two persons, whose cars were shot at by two teenage boys as they passed through the Great Smoky Mountains on June 25, have filed a $246 million lawsuit against Sony Computer Entertainment America, Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games, and Wal-Mart. Aaron Hamel, 45, was killed and Kimberly Bede, 19, was seriously wounded when their cars were fired upon by two stepbrothers, aged 14 and 16, from Newport, Tennessee.

The boys told investigators that they had gotten the rifles from a locked room in their home and then started shooting at vehicles on Interstate 40 just like in Grand Theft Auto III. It's worth noting that GTA is an M-rated game that neither of them should have been playing. The minors are currently serving an indefinite term in state custody after pleading guilty to reckless homicide, endangerment, and assault in juvenile court in August.

The suit filed earlier this week alleges that Grand Theft Auto III inspires and trains players to shoot at vehicles and persons, and claims that the game's designers, marketers, and retailers are liable for $46 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. We'll bring you more information on this story as it becomes available.

Families suing of violence and sex has become a common news in the entertainment industry. Film, TV, Game. Will the more immersive Vitual Reality became the next target? Sure. Is it possible to avoid bad influence on the public? Not so sure.

Posted by Jenova at November 22, 2003 2:23 PM