PHOENIX – 18-year-old Kaden Lopez was arrested while at a Phoenix Mercury game after police say he threw a sex toy toward the seats in front of him, hitting a man and his niece.
What we know:
The Aug. 5 incident was captured on video, police say, showing a “green dildo” hitting a man and his 9-year-old niece.
“Video footage shows Lopez, sitting in his seat, he retrieves the green dildo from his sweater front pocket then throws the [sex toy] forward. He then stands up and leaves the area,” a court document read.
A witness who volunteers in the arena said they followed Lopez, tackled him as he tried to leave and waited for police to arrive.
“The adult male victim was interviewed. He stated he was watching the WNBA game with his 9-year-old niece, when something hit his back then fell to the
ground next to them. He realized the object that hit him was a dildo. He desires prosecution,” the court document read.
Lopez reportedly was sorry and said that it was a “stupid prank that was trending on social media.” Documents state that he bought the sex toy the day before just to take it to the game.
Fans Perspective:
By Aug. 7, many fans had heard of what happened. One fan even witnessed the incident.
“Out of the corner of my eye, I see a bright green object kind of flight right from the tunnel that enters into our section,” said Ari Simones.
Simones was at the game with his eight-year-old daughter when he saw the commotion.
“I saw staff kind of rush to the object and grab it,” Simones recounted.
Meanwhile, Anne Caldwell said she was hit by another sex toy at the same game. It is not clear who threw it.
“I was just sitting in my seat minding my own business, and something hit me on the head,” said Caldwell. “I looked down to the floor and saw a bright fluorescent ‘marital aid,’ is what they called it in the incident report.”
Dig deeper:
The incident at PHX Arena appears to be part of a trend happening at games throughout the WNBA.
Those who didn’t know about the trend said they are appalled.
“This is a family event,” said one woman. “You can’t do stuff like that.”
What’s next:
Lopez was booked into jail on suspicion of disorderly conduct, assault and public display of explicit sexual material.
The WNBA and PHX Arena both want Lopez to be prosecuted for disorderly conduct.