9 Causes of Real Life Violence That Will Leave You SPEECHLESS

9 Real Reasons for Terrible Violence That Will Leave You Speechless

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re taking a closer look at the most bizarre, shocking, and moronic factors that contributed to people committing terrible, violent, criminal acts.

Criticizing Flatulence

In 2020, while at a friend’s house in Wichita Falls, Texas, Christopher Ragsdale broke wind as he and his partner were alone in a room. His partner then described the scent as “horrible”, and Ragsdale took her offhand comment personally… to the point that he physically attacked her. Thankfully, the friend that they were visiting then appeared, causing Ragsdale to move away. But, when the friend went to get their car keys to leave with the partner and take her to safety, Ragsdale attacked his victim again. Once more, the incident was fortunately broken up. The police soon arrived, and Ragsdale was arrested and charged for assault.

Wanting an Actor's Attention

After watching the 1976 movie, “Taxi Driver”, John Hinckley Jr. became obsessed with Jodie Foster, who was a child during filming. After sending endless letters, calling her and moving to live close to her, Hinckley decided to take another extreme approach in his disturbing bid to impress Foster. In 1981, in Washington DC, he attempted to assassinate the then-US President Ronald Reagan. Reagan, the secret service agent Tim McCarthy, the policeman Thomas Delahanty, and Reagan’s press secretary James Brady were all injured in the attack. While no one died at the time, the injuries Brady sustained did result in his later death, in 2014. In 1982, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was sent to a psychiatric hospital. In 2016, he was conditionally released. Hinckley had all conditions removed in 2022.

Sports Team Rivalry

Unfortunately, there are many examples of when sports rivalries turn deadly. In one infamous case, in 2013, the MLB side the LA Dodgers took on the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, California. After the game, Dodgers fan Jonathan Denver was walking with family near the Giants’ stadium, when they came across a group of Giants supporters - including one Michael Montgomery. With conflicting accounts of what instigated the confrontation, an argument erupted as the rival fans exchanged insults. Next, a physical fight broke out. And, during it, Montgomery fatally stabbed Denver. In 2014, with a lack of witness accounts and evidence to the contrary, the criminal case against Montgomery was dropped, as the killing was declared an act of self-defense.

Wanting a Gig Ticket

In 2008, Robert Lyons was livid at his 61-year old mother, Linda Bolek, who he lived with in Carol Stream, Illinois. He wanted to get Skybox tickets for an upcoming Avril Lavigne show. But, Bolek wouldn’t contact her friend to arrange it. So, Lyons snapped. He grabbed a glass bottle and struck his mother, before turning a knife on her. He then poured chemicals on her before leaving. Bolek didn’t survive the attack. After shopping for hours and hanging out at a nearby Hooters, Lyons was eventually found and arrested by the police. In 2012, Lyons, who had had a history of mental health issues, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 40 years in jail.

Using a Phone in the Cinema

In 2014, US Navy veteran Chad Oulson and his wife, Nicole Oulson, were at a cinema in Wesley Chapel, Florida, to watch the Mark Wahlberg movie, “Lone Survivor”. Retired police officer Curtis Reeves and his wife were also there. During the trailers, Reeves was angry that Oulson was using his cell phone, telling him to turn it off. After the ex-cop, Reeves, complained to staff, Oulson reportedly threw popcorn at him. This caused Reeves to take out a firearm and shoot, wounding Nicole Oulson and ending Chad Oulson’s life. Claiming he acted in self-defense, Reeves's trial for murder was in 2022. The jury ultimately acquitted the former cop. In response, Nicole created the Oulson Family Foundation to support children affected by firearms violence.

A Dare to Win Breakfast

In 2010, 16-year-old Joshua Davies was with friends when the conversation turned to his former girlfriend, Rebecca Aylward. During the talk, he mentioned a plan to fatally poison her. In response, his friends - reportedly believing that Davies was joking - said that they would buy him breakfast at his favorite cafe if he did it. Davies reportedly referred back to this dare in the following days, before he did lure Aylward to some woods near the town of Bridgend, in Wales. There, Davies inflicted a brutal and violent attack, taking her life and leaving her body. He attempted to cover his tracks over the next few hours but, after Rebecca’s body was found, Davies was arrested. In 2011, he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years. In 2017, he admitted that he did commit the murder.

Not Being Thanked

In 2003, Fergus Glen and his brother, Craig Glen, were in the midst of a decaying relationship. The pair had reportedly fallen out time and time again, and were known to get into physical fights on occasion. One evening, however, the feud took a deadly turn. They both had dinner together at their parents’ house, in New Zealand. However, Fergus was soon furious that Craig hadn’t thanked him for making the meal. After stewing for a while, Fergus attacked a sleeping Craig with an axe, in the early hours of the following morning. Craig was killed in the violence. After pleading guilty, Fergus was sentenced to life in jail with a minimum of 10 years. In 2019, after multiple denials, he was granted parole.

Not Liking Mondays

On a Monday morning in January 1979, children were waiting to be let into Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, California. Suddenly, shots rang out. Nine people were injured, while the principal, Burton Wragg, and custodian, Mike Suchar, were killed as they attempted to protect students. It was quickly determined that the shooter was teenager Brenda Spencer, who was firing from her nearby home. As she barricaded herself inside, she spoke to a journalist on the phone. In a chilling moment, she told them that she had done it because she didn’t like Mondays before continuing, “this livens up the day”. Spencer eventually surrendered and was arrested. In 1980, she pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 25 years to life. The crime was later immortalised in the song “I Don’t Like Mondays” by the British band, the Boomtown Rats.

Wi-Fi Control

The teenager Kevon Watkins, in 2018, was frustrated that so many people in his household in Macon, Georgia, were using the Wi-Fi at the same time, because it was slowing down his connection when he wanted to play on his Xbox. So, Kevon changed the password, which caused his mother to confront him and threaten to take his console. Kevon’s sister, Alexus Watkins, stepped in to try to calm the situation. But, instead, Kebon grabbed his sister and put her in a chokehold. When the police arrived more than 10 minutes later, Kevon still had Alexus in the hold. She didn’t survive. In 2019, Kevon was found guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed the conviction but, in 2022, the original sentence was upheld.


What’s your verdict on all of these shocking cases? Let us know below.