Sore Loser Threatened to Shoot 11-Year-Old Boy Who Beat Him in Fortnite
Suffolk County Police Department
Michael Aliperti
HUNTINGTON, NY — What started as a fun competition ended with a Long Island man behind bars after he threatened to shoot a child who outplayed him while battling online in the popular video game Fortnite.
Michael Aliperti, 45, sent XBOX text and voice messages to the 11-year-old boy on Monday evening, September 17, alluding he would go to his house or school and hurt him, according to Suffolk County Police Chief Stuart Cameron. Aliperti and the child did not know each other personally, but they had been playing Fortnite together for months, said police.
“For an adult to threaten an 11-year-old kid gives new definition to sore loser,” said Cameron.
The victim’s parents reported Aliperti’s alleged threats to authorities, and he was taken into custody at 1:40 A.M. on September 18.
Security was also increased at RJO Intermediate School in Suffolk County’s Kings Park. “We took this as a school threat,” Cameron explained. “That was done out of an abundance of caution.”
As a result, the Suffolk County district superintendent also sent out a letter, warning families: “We should all use this incident as an important reminder that children should not be gaming with individuals they do not know.”
According to ABC7, Aliperti owns a landscaping company and is a father of three children. His attorney, Andrew Karp, said he has not yet seen the messages police claim Aliperti sent. He also noted his client is stressed out from going through a difficult divorce.
Aliperti, whose bail has been set at $2,500, now faces charges of acting in a manner to injure a child and second-degree aggravated harassment. A judge has granted the child an order of protection.
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