In 2016, Pokémon Go took over the globe as the first viral interactive app inspired by the Japanese animated show. Jumping on the hype of the famous cartoon, the premise was to use your phone camera to “catch” Pokémon that were hidden around neighbourhoods. As the years have progressed, there have been several instances in America where this has led to accidental trespassing, and subsequently led to deaths by shooting.
In the year the game went live, 15-year-old Arthur Digsby left his house around 1pm on a Sunday with his friend without telling his parents. The pair identified a rare Pokémon they believed to be in a private backyard. The friend later revealed that Digsby had circled the property trying to locate the character, which had triggered a series of security lights. When it didn’t appear, he allegedly entered an enclosed back porch of the private residence and attempted to open windows.
The homeowner, widowed 67-year-old Ellen Jones, was woken by the disturbance and fired two shots at the teen trying to enter the home. He was later taken to the hospital where he ultimately died from his injuries. Mariondale police department declared that no charges will be brought to the homeowner and warned others of entering private property while playing the game.