Suffolk police say a Huntington man threatened to shoot a Kings Park boy after losing to him in a game of Fortnite – a popular online survival shooter game.
After being eliminated by the 11-year-old, Michael Aliperti, 45, allegedly threatened the boy verbally through the XBox system, through the system's messaging service and via text.
After the incident was reported to police by the 11-year-old and his parents Monday, authorities say they stepped up patrols at the child's school, the RJO Intermediate School in Kings Park.
"Mr. Alperti did not directly threaten the school, but he did threaten the 11-year-old stating he knew where he went to school, so that was good enough for us," said Police Chief Stuart Cameron.
Aliperti was arraigned on aggravated harassment and acting in a manner to injure a child charges. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Aliperti's attorney tells News 12 that his client is a father of three with no criminal record and in the middle of a contested divorce.