http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20090416/Homemade.Parachute.Plunge/
NEW YORK — A friend says a 9-year-old New York City boy might have been imitating a video game character when he apparently made a plastic parachute and jumped to his death from his apartment building's roof.
Police say Domori Miles likely cobbled a plastic bag and rope together before flying off the 13-story Brooklyn building Tuesday. The items were found on the ground near his body.
Ten-year-old friend Shakar Murrel says Domori was a fan of the wrestling game "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw" and loved wrestler Jeff Hardy's swan dives.
Stamford, Conn.-based World Wrestling Entertainment expresses sympathy but calls for "a full investigation ... before conclusions are made." It says no "SmackDown vs. Raw" characters jump off buildings or use parachutes.
Domori's mother tells police she had gone to the store.
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This is a tragedy to be sure. But this also seems to me to be an example of "Three Stooges Syndrome." While the current target of any inane act by a child is video games, there was the fear years ago that children would hurt (maim, kill) themselves imitating the antics of the Stooges. So anytime something is like this happens, the Stoogies got the blame.
I just hope that WWE is right about there being nothing of the sort in its entertaiment or its game.
Mike from Morgantown
 I am Mario.I like to jump around, and would lead a fairly serene and aimless existence if it weren't for my friends always getting into trouble. I love to help out, even when it puts me at risk. I seem to make friends with people who just can't stay out of trouble. Wii Friend Code: 1624 6601 1126 1492 NNID: Mike_INTV |
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