A tragic incident unfolded as vloggers Monalisa Perez and Pedro Ruiz sought online fame through their YouTube channel, documenting their daily lives and daring stunts. The couple, known for sharing their relationship and family moments, embarked on a risky challenge in June 2017.
While filming a video at a local fair, Pedro proposed a dangerous stunt involving Monalisa shooting a .50 calibre Desert Eagle handgun at a book he held against his chest, believing it would stop the bullet. Tragically, the bullet pierced through the book, fatally striking Pedro. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away at the scene.
Monalisa faced legal repercussions, initially charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and later convicted of second-degree manslaughter due to culpable negligence. Despite arguing that Pedro had orchestrated the stunt, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to intermittent jail time over three years, along with other restrictions.
The incident, characterized by a quest for online notoriety, left a grieving family and community in shock. Pedro’s aunt expressed regret over the tragic outcome, emphasizing that it was a prank gone awry and should never have occurred. The unfortunate event serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of prioritizing fame over safety.