WoW gamer threatens to blow up plane
by Lesley Smith 
Jul 14th 2009 at 4:00PM
His boasts were spotted by a Blizzard employee who called the police after seeing that the WoW player had made serious threats. When arrested, the man claimed his computer had been hacked into and then explained he had meant the statements as a joke. He had apparently made them because he didn't believe that, contrary to popular belief, that doing so wouldn't alert the police.
A Blizzard representative is quoted as saying that the chat logs were "very serious" and didn't seem to be just jokes however she declined to show the logs to indystar.com. The man's PC was seized as evidence and the cased turned over to the FBI. We'll let you know more as we hear it but the moral message here is simple: don't threaten to blow up planes in Azeroth. It's not smart.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
Blachand Jul 14th 2009 4:05PM
What a dumbass.
Ed Jul 14th 2009 4:12PM
indeed ... lolowned.
Ensane Jul 14th 2009 4:15PM
Turns out he is from the same city as me. It could be possible that my friend or i know him since im 18.
Mordockk Jul 14th 2009 4:34PM
@ensane.....downgraded...LOLGUILTY by association
Mordockk Jul 14th 2009 4:34PM
oh ensane...if u see him around town give him a swift kick in the nuts from all of us who play.
I'm sure this will somehow affect all the wow players now that the FBI will start rolling tauren deathknights and spying on everyone!
Craig R Jul 14th 2009 4:45PM
I think you mean human rogues.
SI:7 is go.
Superthrust Jul 14th 2009 5:36PM
quick question...anyone know why the sheep / peanut crew downvoted Ensane? All he said was " he might know hte person", not that he supported them or anything. Jesus, get your head outta your asses and moderate posts.
impurezero Jul 14th 2009 5:43PM
Superthrust,
He got downrated because his reasoning for thinking he could know the guy was that they both happen to be 18 and that they both live in Indianapolis, which has a metro population of about 1,715,459.
jbodar Jul 14th 2009 7:41PM
@impurezero
Well, is it IMpossible? He could, in theory, know him. It's just highly unlikely. ;)
RetPallyJil Jul 14th 2009 4:05PM
Hey, 20 years in jail? He can still have the semblance of a life afterward, the stupid ass.
Unless, of course, he was serious ... then we can just pop a bullet in his head and save the taxpayers' money.
Beelzebud Jul 14th 2009 4:07PM
20 years in jail for a lame joke? Ever hear of the 1st Amendment?
usagizero Jul 14th 2009 4:10PM
First amendment doesn't cover threats of violence.
Erik Jul 14th 2009 4:11PM
Ever hear that the First Amendment has all kinds of limitations, and doesn't prevent there being serious consequences for the content of your speech?
MechChef Jul 14th 2009 4:11PM
Beezle: Sorry to break the news to you, but true threats of violence are outside the First Amendment.
Wartt Jul 14th 2009 4:12PM
1st Amend doesn't apply when you're using that speech to incite fear or panic... same reason you can't say you have a bomb on an airplane or scream "FIRE" in a crowded theater. Free speech law is ultimately a balance between your right to speak on the rights of the audience you're directing your speech to. Making passive but viable threats to the public safety =/= valuable speech when weighed against protecting the peace of mind/safety of the public/audience you're making "jokes" toward.
Kevin Jul 14th 2009 4:14PM
@Beelzebud
he "claimed" he was lying. maybe he was serious.
and i know someone is gonna think "hes 18, what could he do?". a hella lot by exploiting that attitude.
Averna Jul 14th 2009 4:20PM
@ Beelzebud
It amuses me greatly when people throw the "but i has First Amendment" out there. Obviously you have never actually studied anything in regards to the constitution and have no understanding what the amendments entail.
Why don't you study up a little before you act like you know how the Constitution works and you look like a jackass.
tatsumasa Jul 14th 2009 4:49PM
freedom of speech...as long as the majority likes what you're saying
shiplore Jul 14th 2009 4:46PM
@beezle
The supreme court ruled waaaaay back in O. W. Holmes day, that freedom of speech didn't include the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. I bet you also yell 1st amendment when offensive posts are deleted off Blizz forums? Again, if you're going to pose an argument at least understand it..
thebitterfig Jul 14th 2009 5:10PM
ultimately, what we should take away from this is that it doesn't matter where someone makes a threat, what matters is the nature and seriousness of the threat.