19-Year-Old Pregnant Woman Charged With Murdering Boyfriend in Failed YouTube Stunt
Monalisa Perez shot at Pedro Ruiz while he tried to use an Encyclopedia as a shield.
By Rachel Herron
June 28, 2017 / 5:06 PM
<p>A 19-year-old pregnant woman in Minnesota has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after fatally shooting her boyfriend during a YouTube stunt gone wrong, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.</p>
<p>Monalisa Perez was arrested today for shooting 22-year-old Pedro Ruiz III on Monday night, reported the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-woman-accused-of-fatally-shooting-boyfriend-in-fame-seeking-video-prank/431313063/"><i>Star Tribune</i></a>. While the shooting was taking place, the couple?s 3-year-old daughter was nearby.</p>
<p>Sheriff Jeremy Thornton said Wednesday morning that Perez, who is pregnant, will remain in jail and be connected by video to a Norman County court proceeding early Wednesday afternoon.</p>
<p>Before the YouTube stunt took place, Perez tweeted about the scary idea and noted the stunt was Ruiz?s idea. </p>
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<p>According to the <i>Tribune</i>, the stunt involved Ruiz holding up an encyclopedia while Perez pulled the trigger on a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol. The stunt was supposed to be an attempt to see if the bullet would go through the book, said County Attorney James Brue.</p>
<p>Perez has a YouTube channel with a several videos of the couple attempting daring and risky stunts. The most recent one, titled ?Doing Scary Stunts at the Fair, Part I,? went up the morning before the shooting. </p>
<p>After the shooting, Perez told a sheriff?s deputy that it was Ruiz who pushed for the video to be made. According to the criminal complaint, Ruiz showed Perez another book he shot wherein the bullet did not go through.</p>
<p>?Perez stated that she shot from about a foot away while [Ruiz] held the book to his chest,? the complaint read.</p>
