The Knockout Game

MY9TV.COM - Unit 9 investigates a new game that really packs a punch.
It's called "knock out".
It's physical.
It can be dangerous.
And it's become all the rage wth teens.
Unit 9's Brenda Flanagan reports, knockout is anything but child's play.

You're watching police surveillance video -- a pack of teenagers playing the Knockout Game. Watch as one runs up behind an unsuspecting victim -- and throws A SINGLE PUNCH -- to the back of his head.

 That's how you win the Knockout Game: take someone out with ONE punch...
"actually actively hitting somebody - either from behind in the back of the neck - or onto the side of the neck - and the person immed knocks out and falls to the ground ..".

Former cop Rich Rivera wasn't surprised - when we told him kids in Jersey City got caught allegedly playing Knockout near Journal Square --

" It shows masculinity sometimes with these kids - it's a challenge, it's competition".

Jersey City Police say it happened right here on a recent Sunday evening...a young man, walking along -- jumped by a pack of teenagers. One said they were playing Knockout.

" A game - that's from what Im hearing - it's a game ... "

Jersey City's Eric Swanson believes the Knockout pack's not primarily motivated by money ...

"I dont think it's anything as far as robbing them -- I mean - I think they are taking cellphones and stuff like that but I think it's just basically a game that they're playing."
"It's the young generation. That's exactly what it is - and that is really sad."
"It's really scary to hear theyre just going up to people and doing that -- especially young kids."

Residents here report several similar attacks recently...Local cops did arrest five youths -- one only 13 years old -- and charged them with robbery. But a police spokesman told us, "There's no such thing" as Knockout.

"The hierarchy of the Jersey City Police Dept have their head buried in the snow. "

Police in the nation's Midwest DO confirm Knockout attacks. Champaign, Illinois: several victims got punched in the head less than six months ago -- in separate attacks police called, "...sport, not theft or robbery. It's almost like it's, 'Let's go get our kicks, punch someone in the face to see if we can knock them out,'" Sgt. James Rein told reporters.
Columbia, Missouri: you saw this video earlier. Police arrested FIVE teens in THIS attack they called "Knock Out King." The victim suffered a bruised brain and bleeding -- the attackers pleaded guilty. But teens still play Knockout ... on EACH OTHER!

" Okay - go ahead! Go ahead! (PUNCH) hahahahaha!!!"

Judging from all the clips on YouTube -- Knockout's perversely popular. Kids take turns clobbering each other -- trying for that one-punch TKO. But for Jersey City residents -- Knockout's more than a game. It's a threat -- and they're afraid ....

" You know - people cant even go outside their own house. And these are young young kids...."

young kids whose NEXT victim might not survive this so-called
game ... In Jersey City Brenda Flanagan