When it comes to the desire of getting popular, some people are willing to go the extra mile and perform the most unimaginable stunts.
While often unwise or extremely dangerous, these kinds of stunts are, sadly, often what people are after when it comes to entertainment.
YouTube / La MonaLisa
For one 20-year-old YouTuber named Monalisa Perez, a shooting prank involving a real gun turned out to be a life-lasting regret. Together with her 22-year-old boyfriend, Pedro Ruiz, they were known for recording their stunts and pranks. They were also publishing the videos on YouTube in hope to become its new stars.
TIME / YouTube
In their last attempt, however, they exceeded the borders of reason. Their plan was for Pedro to hold encyclopedia at his chest while Monalisa fired at him with a .50 caliber Desert Eagle. Prior to their attempt, young Perez was even proudly announcing a dangerous stunt on Twitter. “Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea, not MINE,” she wrote.
TIME / YouTube
While the bullet successfully hit the book, it unexpectedly went through it and ended up in Pedro’s chest. Monalisa immediately called the emergency services. “We were doing a YouTube video, and it went wrong, please hurry up,” she told the 911 operator. Pedro’s and Monalisa’s first-born daughter who was at that point only three years old witnessed the whole thing. At that time, Monalisa was also pregnant with their second child.
Despite trying to save his life, the medics couldn’t do anything – Pedro was fatally wounded, and his life has ended due to a prank.
TIME / YouTube
YouTuber Monalisa was charged with a second-degree murder and pleaded guilty. She has then been sentenced to six months in jail and additional ten years of probation. Monalisa is allowed to serve half of her punishment in an electronically monitored house while she has to carry out the rest within a 3-year span.
TIME / YouTube
Furthermore, Monalisa is not allowed to ever own a gun or make money out of the unfortunate video. Though the original footage still exists, the police isn’t planning on releasing it.
The family of Pedro explained that the couple was in love and that it’s a shame they wasted their lives in such way. Nevertheless, they don’t wish Monalisa to succumb to the harm caused by the incident.
What do you make of this tragedy? Should dangerous videos like these even be allowed to gain online fame? Let us know what you think of the incident and don’t forget to share the post to raise awareness.