pokemon go brawl
A young Caucasian male holding his phone with both hands, looking into his device screen while paying Pokemon Go outside in Jondal, Norway. He was photographed from behind with the grassy area in the blurry background. The photo was taken a week before the official launch of Pokemon GO in Norway. Pokemon Go is a location-based augmented reality mobile game. It was released in July 2016. It uses GPS and the camera, in order for the players to capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokemon. The creatures appear on screens as if they were part of the reality.

C’mon Guys: Father And (Adult) Son Brawl In Public Over ‘Pokémon GO’ Gym

By Josh Helmuth

Photo: Morten Falch Sortland (Getty)

And here we thought Pokémon GO died as quickly as it came in 2016. It turns out people are still playing the mobile game, and grown men are assaulting each other to gain a competitive edge. At least in St. Louis.

A gamer recently went to an NBC affiliate after police arrested two men who allegedly beat him up. The victim walked away from the brawl with facial abrasions, a busted eye and a broken finger. It all happened while playing the game in a St. Louis suburban park. But these weren’t kids, teens, or even college nerds. They were grown men, a 71-year-old and his 30-year-old son, who nearly killed the guy because he was interfering with their “virtual gym.”

KSDK

Robert Matteuzzi, 71, and 30-year-old Angelo Matteuzzi are each charged with third-degree assault.

According to police, during a Pokemon Go hunt, the victim thought the suspects stole his gym that is part of the game. Police said the victim then threw a Gatorade bottle into the suspect’s vehicle.

Police said Robert later found the victim in another area of the park and threw the Gatorade bottle back at him, which hit him in the face.

pokemon go brawl

A father leaving a nearby pool said he recorded the fight on video. Police told KSDK that the video shows Robert holding down the victim while his son punches him several times in the face and head.

Lotta crossover here: Pokémon GO VS. Zombie Apocalypse: A Venn Diagram

Here’s the story below. But just a fair warning, it seriously questions your faith in humanity.

To make matters worse, the victim claims this isn’t the first time he’s had a run-in with this family while playing the game.

C’mon, guys.

Josh Helmuth is a sports reporter for KSDK St. Louis and a contributor for Mandatory.

Josh Helmuth
Josh Helmuth

Josh is originally from the small berg of Arthur, Ill, proudly the Amish capital of the state. It also has one hell of a pumpkin patch.

Josh has enjoyed dipping his toes into a variety of careers since graduating from the University of Alabama, the most rewarding thus far having served as a youth director in southern California for four years, and his broadcasting career which has garnered two Emmy awards and three Edward R. Murrow Awards.  

Josh enjoys loud rock music, Tom Hanks movies, dogs that like to cuddle and long runs. He is also always in search for America's greatest cheeseburger. Follow him here if you would like to be friends!

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