GTA4
A boy allegedly shot and killed his grandmother just minutes after playing GTA4, which the sheriff's department noted "awards points for killing." www.rockstargames.com/IV/

An 8-year-old Lousiana boy shot and killed his 87-year-old grandmother, Marie Smothers, after playing "Grand Theft Auto 4," CNN reports. Smothers died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The shooting occurred in a trailer park in Slaughter, La. The gun belonged to Smothers, which was confirmed by a man who identified himself as the boy's father. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Department had this to say regarding the tragedy:

"By accounts of relatives of the victim, as well as friends of the family, the victim and the juvenile had a normal, loving, relationship and even shared the same bedroom," the sheriff's department said.

The boy initially lied to investigators, telling them that the incident was an accident. But the investigation led authorities to believe that the boy shot his grandmother in the back of the head while she was watching TV.

The boy will not face charges. According to Louisiana state law, children younger than 10 are not responsibile for criminal acts. The boy is now living with his parents.

The sherriff's department seemed to blame the video game that the boy was playing, "Grand Theft Auto 4," for the horrific tragedy.

"Although a motive for the shooting is unknown at this time, investigators have learned that the juvenile suspect was playing a video game on the Play Station III [called] 'Grand Theft Auto IV,' a realistic game that has been associated with encouraging violence and awards points to players for killing people, just minutes before the homicide occurred."

What do you think of this shooting? What do you think caused it? What do you think of the law that absolves children under 10 of criminal responsibility? Do you think the gun should've been locked in a place where the boy couldn't have accessed it? Why or why not? Sound off in the comments below.

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