If you’re familiar with the video game industry, you may know who Jack Thompson is. The controversial and religiously-driven lawyer is the mortal enemy of video gaming and has actually sued Take Two Interactive claiming they (and webcomic Penny Arcade, GameSpot, IGN, Joystiq and others) were part of a RICO organized crime-style conspiracy.
We now see Thompson in his latest adventure, trying to blame the Northern Illinois University shootings on video games.
There are many theories as to why 27-year-old Stephen Kazmierczak opened fire on students at NIU February 14. Most of these theories are based on fact, and actual evidence. With no thought of human life or decency, the Florida-based attorney has demanded that he be given any records dealing with the shooter playing violent video games — and he is willing to sue NIU to get them.
“Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request production of copies of all documents that reveal Steven Kazmierczak’s play of violent video games. Not limited to the use of his computer to play Counter-Strike, which he apparently, according to the New York Post, used to rehearse for his Valentine’s Day Massacre at NIU,” Thompson wrote in a letter obtained by popular gaming rights site http://www.gamepolitics.com. “The killers in the two worst school massacres in history—in Erfurt, Germanay, and at Virginia Tech University—similarly trained on Counter-Strike to rehearse for their killing sprees. If I am not provided with this information, I shall bring a civil action to secure these documents.”
While suing a school dealing with the loss of five of its students teeters on the edge of inhumane and sick, it must be noted that Thompson is using false information to support his claim. While the findings of a study on the Virginia Tech massacre last April by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine did reveal that the shooter, Seung Hui Cho played video games, they weren’t viewed as even a “casual factor” in the shooting rampage.
According to a report on the shootings Cho “was enrolled in a Tae Kwon Do program for awhile, watched TV, and played video games like Sonic the Hedgehog.”
"None of the video games were war games or had violent themes.”
The report also goes on to mention that Cho’s roommate never saw him playing a video game of any kind.
Should we really be surprised though? This is coming from the man who once said that “only hitmen and gamers shoot people in the face.” Shall we prepare Vice President’s Cheney’s counterstrike records?
Blast Magazine staff writer John Guilfoil contributed to this report.
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