A former security guard has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Virginia jury for fatally shooting an elderly Chinese man that was playing Pokémon GO.
According to a report by NBC, Johnathan Cromwell, age 23, was charged with second-degree murder on Friday after shooting and killing Jiansheng Chen, age 60, on January 26, 2017. Cromwell was also found guilty in the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Originally, Cromwell was charged with first-degree murder, but had contested it under the claim that Chen had attempted to ram him with his van. The self-defense claim was argued against by Chen’s lawyer, who claimed that Cromwell intentionally stepped in front of the vehicle in an abuse of power.
Cromwell reportedly knew Chen in the past and had “stalked” him during past GO sessions. Chen was also cited with trespassing fines in the past.
This is why it’s important to not trespass anywhere when playing Pokémon GO. As innocent as it may be, other people might not handle it very well. Stay safe out there, trainers.