Man throws dildo at WNBA game, injuring young girl

In a troubling incident that occurred in the United States, Charles Burgess, a 32-year-old man from Dayton, Ohio, threw a lime-green dildo during a WNBA game at Barclays Center in New York City on August 5, 2023. The object struck a 12-year-old girl in the leg, leading to significant concern and chaos among spectators. The event has since sparked a debate over crowd behavior at sporting events and brought attention to the consequences of such actions. A witness described how the girl reacted fearfully after the object hit her, drawing the attention of onlookers and prompting immediate security action to remove the sex toy from the court. Burgess's act was not isolated, as two other incidents involving similar objects had occurred around the same time at different WNBA games. Following Burgess's incident, he turned himself into the New York police after being wanted on assault charges. He was released after an arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court without needing to post bail. Burgess faces multiple charges, including two counts of assault and attempted assault. In his court appearance, he pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court in December 2023. The throwing of sex toys at sporting events has led to arrests and growing scrutiny from the WNBA, which has begun to crack down on fans engaging in such behavior. Following Burgess's act, another fan reportedly threw a dildo during a game that struck a player from the Indiana Fever, further escalating the situation. In recent weeks, the league has issued clear warnings, stating that individuals caught throwing objects would be ejected from games, banned for at least a year, and could face criminal charges. The league is taking steps to ensure that fans enjoy games without the threat of disruptive actions. The fascination with throwing objects, particularly sex toys, at WNBA games raises broader questions about crowd conduct and safety at live events. The incidents, which some have dismissed as mere pranks, have resulted in serious criminal charges and put a spotlight on the responsibility of fans to behave appropriately. As the WNBA and authorities continue to navigate this issue, the reactions from the public and debates about the appropriateness of such actions in entertainment venues will likely persist. Burgess's case is a stark reminder that not only are there consequences for disruptive behavior, but there are also serious impacts on innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.