Violence often stems from the silliest things, but once it reaches the level of the angry mob, it's less silly and a lot more serious. Mob mentality can cause people to do things they would never consider doing in normal life, things like killing, maiming, and setting things (or people) on fire. Mass violence is a disturbing phenomenon, and yet it's been around since the beginning of time and still exists today.
Often the outrage makes sense - a group of people come together and forcefully demand better treatment - and, in the end, no one really gets hurt. In other cases it's a tragedy over something trivial that leaves people bloodied, beheaded, and burned. Mobs can be very destructive in a very short period of time, and they can exacerbate the situation by preventing necessary help from getting through.
These are some cases of angry mobs who got completely out of control.
8 Times Angry Mobs Got Completely Out of Control and Turned Violent, places/travel, videos, all places, True crime, creepy stories,
Shoplifting Led to Even Greater Crimes
In July 2015 at least five people were maimed in a mob attack outside Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur. According to witnesses, seven men who had previously been caught shoplifting at the mall returned the following weekend in retaliation. The group, which soon blossomed to 60 men, gathered after a very public altercation in a cell phone store and proceeded to destroy glass displays, cabinets, and various electronic products, as well as assault patrons with motorcycle helmets. Three members of the media were said to be among the injured.
Packs of Teens Took the Streets of Philadelphia
In October 2016, packs of teenagers numbering between 20 and 100 roamed the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia and beat random people in retaliation for an incendiary social media post. One female student was held down and repeatedly stomped on; another woman endured a black eye after being punched in the face as she walked home with her boyfriend. In total, four teenagers were arrested for their roles in the melee, which included intimidation, punching, kicking, and robbery. Joe Lauletta, father of one of the victims, summed it up rather succinctly: "It's very concerning that you can get a group of juveniles to pull together that quickly and some become violent."
A Referee's Call Led to His Beheading
In 2013 an amateur soccer match in Brazil turned violent when a referee stabbed a player to death and was subsequently beheaded. During the game, Josenir dos Santos Abreu took issue with one of 20-year-old Otávio Jordão da Silva's calls. Abreu punched da Silva, who then fatally stabbed him. Just then, an angry mob made up of spectators and Abreu's family descended on da Silva, tied him up, beat him, beheaded him and stuck his head on a spike.
WARNING, this video is graphic.
A Mob Destroyed Government Buildings and Banks After Suicide Attacks
Following a deadly suicide attack at a religious procession in Karachi, Pakistan, an angry mob exacted its revenge by destroying government buildings, banks, markets, and vehicles. The attack, which happened in 2009, killed about 30 people.
Following the attack, those in the procession turned their frustration on government workers and journalists at the event. Shooting was reported throughout Karachi, and police used tear gas. Paramilitary soldiers were brought in, and the army was placed on high alert. Protesters beat TV reporters, cameramen, and press photographers. Trains were unable to run, even firefighters were blocked from saving lives.
In total, the city sustained more than 30 billion rupees worth of damage, or about $250 million.
A Boy Was Buried Alive Next to His Victim
After 17-year-old Santos Ramos was identified by police as the suspect in the rape and murder of 35-year-old Leandra Arias Janco, mourners at her funeral grabbed the boy and buried him alive next to the woman. Approximately 200 members of the small town of Colquechaca, Bolivia, took it on themselves to exercise so-called "indigenous justice." Overcome with sadness and anger, the mob seized Ramos, tied him up, tossed him into the same grave, and filled it with earth.
A Muslim Man Was Killed for Eating Beef
In 2015, a vicious mob in northern India pulled 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq from his home and beat him to death for allegedly eating beef. For Hindus in India, the cow is holy, so much so that government officials in the past have lobbied to make it illegal to kill cows in the country. Akhlaq, a Muslim, was targeted after two boys at the local Hindi temple said Akhlaq's family killed a cow during the Muslim holiday Eid-ul-Adha.
The mob went to Akhalq's house, beat him, his elderly mother, his wife, and his 22-year-old son, and fled the area. Ten people were charged in the attack, though villagers protested the arrests by attacking journalists and setting fire to cars.
An Innocent Woman Was Killed as Police Watched
In 2015, a 27-year-old Afghan student named Farkhunda Malikzada was accused of burning the Quran in a shrine, igniting a fury among the men standing outside. Her killers filmed as they beat her, hit her with stones, and pieces of wood. Later her attackers posted the footage online. As with so many horrific crimes against women in the region, Malikzada was innocent. Before her attack, she was confronting a man who was selling charms outside the shrine. Angry, the man shouted she was an infidel, and the mob started forming.
A Town Got Revenge for a Crappy Sewage System
In August 2016, an angry mob stormed the office of Griselda Sanchez, director of public works for the town of Xochiatipan, Mexico. Furious over months of living without a functioning sewage system and tired of getting the runaround from government officials, the mob pulled Sanchez out, shoved her repeatedly and harassed her. The mob forced her into the street and berated her. Sanchez was forced to sign a document agreeing to the necessary construction, and it was only then that the mob relented.