Tragic: US man kills 18 month old toddler mimicking WWE wrestling move – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Tragic: US man kills 18 month old toddler mimicking WWE wrestling move




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A 20 year old man in the US has been charged over the death of a 18 month old toddler after he killed the young boy whilst he was  replicating his favourite WWE wrestler’s signature move.

Brandon Hoffman is understood to have been mimicking the legendary wrester called the Undertaker signature move named the “Last Ride” with his girlfriend’s 18-month-old son when he missed the bed and sent the toddler crashing to the hardwood floor which caused him severe head injuries which resulted in death. New Jersey police say the 20-year-old had fully intended on throwing young toddler in such away he would land on the bed but accidently  missed. Mr Hoffman was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter of Bryson Shoemaker, which was the result of an aggravated assault, which endangered the welfare of a child.

The infamous move by the former heavyweight champion, sees him pick up his opponents on to his shoulders in a reverse piggyback before throwing forward them to the ground. Mr Hoffman apparently told police that young Bryson refused to go to bed late on Tuesday afternoon after his mother left for work, Hoffman then decided to take the child and began rough housing with him which apparently included performing wrestling moves. Investigators say Hoffman had earlier replicated several other moves which saw Bryson thrown on to the mattress. Police also say Hoffman told them he twice performed another move called the “rock bottom” which involved him picking up the toddler by the shoulders and legs and slammed him onto the bed.

After the fatal accident Hoffman reportedly attempted to perform CPR before taking him to hospital with a friend. Hoffman said he didn’t call 911 straight away as he was afraid of getting into trouble.
Initially he said he had dropped Bryson as he threw him in the air.
However medical staff at the Jersey Shore Hospital said young Bryson appeared to have suffered major trauma which included a broken neck and collapsed lung. The toddler was later rushed to Geisinger Medical Centre near Danville, where he died on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile a spokesman for the WWE told the press: “There is no excuse for a 20-year-old grown man to assault an 18-month old child, no matter what. “Using a flimsy excuse about emulating a wrestling manoeuvre does not absolve Brandon Hoffman of this alleged crime. “The death of Bryson Shoemaker is a tragedy, and WWE offers its condolences to the child’s mother, Sierra Shoemaker.”

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