Old: Flash mob robberies. New: "Knockout king"...

[BobK]

Cross-posting an interesting trend to be aware of. Take the time to read the article.

There is nothing new about the "Copycat crime" phenomena, and with the advent of the "innernets" and social media, would-be criminals and delinquents can find inspiration from a greater number of sources than any other time in history. With that in mind, I give you "knockout king"....

Story from the AP : http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/ ... 4-10-28-42" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Story synopsis: Groups of "youths" have created a "game" that involves seeing who can knock out a random passerby and become the "knockout king". Should the initial attacker fail to complete the task, they are assisted by the other "youths", until they can subdue the target.

Great parenting....

Anyway....

This phenomena will no doubt be plastered all over the "innernets" and WILL inspire other clueless idiots to join in the mayhem, and maybe in an area near you.

These thugs use the same selection criteria/attack process as any other thug (Target selection---->Close with/wait for target----->Final target assessment----->Assume attack position---->Launch attack), and will give off non-verbal cues via body language, facial expression, positioning, etc, as to their intent. Look for, recognize, and ACT on any non-verbal cues BEFORE they can close the distance and attack.

[Cruiser]

Great fun until one of them gets killed!

[Bianchi?]

Sounds like the bruh bruh mentality.

[marca]

Sounds like an argument for extra magazines.

[dynamike]

Like this -> http://www.thelantern.com/campus/osu-hi ... vn1GdVkidk

[GWC]

Every now and then the press "discovers" something "new" and its the the latetest trend, even though they reported on it months or even years before.

The knockout game has been out there for a few years now. Maybe it's getting worse, but I doubt it. Just the press needing to show how up on the trends they are.

Sooner or later the victim selection process will go astray, then we will hear about the trend of "vigilantes".

[boothdt]

...then we will hear about the trend of "vigilantes".

Of course, we'd hear about that trend a lot sooner.

[BobK]

Here is an update. This is gaining in popularity. http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/black-mobs-k ... ng-alarms/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you spot a bunch of black kids milling around, better keep your eyes open. You could be their next victim.

I found the editor's comment that opens the article interesting:

Editor’s note: Colin Flaherty has done more reporting than any other journalist on what appears to be a nationwide trend of skyrocketing black-on-white crime, violence and abuse. WND features these reports to counterbalance the virtual blackout by the rest of the media due to their concerns that reporting such incidents would be inflammatory or even racist. WND considers it racist not to report racial abuse solely because of the skin color of the perpetrators or victims.

[BobK]

Another case where the single punch to the head was fatal.

Prosecutor: Teens killed man in ‘knock ‘em down’ game

The three teens made the detectives case a little easier to find the murderers. They posted the video of the attack on Youtube. They still had the video on the phone when arrested.

The man who died was a 62-year-old father-of-12, Mexican immigrant.

The other victim mentioned in the article was a mid-60's Asian killed in St. Louis, Mo.