17/12/2025
Nowadays, more and more people are chasing virality and are willing to do almost anything for it. Some even risk their own safety just to create βextraordinaryβ content for YouTube.
Thatβs what happened to a young couple from Minnesota, Monalisa Perez and Pedro Ruiz. They wanted to become famous, but one prank turned into a bloody tragedy.
At the time, Monalisa was only 19 years old and pregnant with their second child. They were actively posting daily videos and trying to attract more viewers to their YouTube channel.
Pedro, on the other hand, was the type who liked experimenting with extreme ideas. He believed that doing something daring would make their channel go insanely viral.
On June 26, 2017, they carried out one of the most dangerous βpranksβ imaginable. Pedro held a thick book against his chest, and Monalisa was told to shoot him with a real gun.
Pedro claimed the book was strong enough to stop the bullet. He said he had tested it before and that it was safe. He also insisted that this video would make them famous.
Even though Monalisa had doubts, she agreed because Pedro was so confident. They recorded the act in their yard, with several family members watching.
What made it even more heartbreaking was that their three-year-old child was present during the incident. Monalisa used a Desert Eagle pistol, a very powerful handgun commonly used for hunting large animals.
When the trigger was pulled, the bullet went straight through the book and hit Pedro directly in the chest. He collapsed instantly, and Monalisa immediately called 911 in a panic.
But it was already too late. By the time paramedics arrived, Pedro had died in front of his family.
Police arrested Monalisa and launched an investigation. She was charged with causing death without intent, even though she had acted under Pedroβs direction.
Many people felt sympathy for Monalisa, seeing her as a victim of this reckless stunt. However, the law still had to consider the fact that she pulled the trigger.
During the trial, Monalisa stated that Pedro planned everythingβfrom the book, the gun, the location, to how the video would be recorded. All of it was his idea.
Monalisaβs final tweet even said, βMe and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE.β
In 2018, the court sentenced Monalisa to six months in prison, to be served as 30 days per year over six years.
She was also placed under supervision for 10 years and banned from possessing fi****ms during that period. Monalisa was additionally required to attend trauma counseling.
Their story became a powerful lesson. Sometimes, the desire to go viral can lead to devastating consequencesβeven the loss of someone you love.
