The Joker is one of the most famous villains in both comic books and movies. He’s chaotic, unpredictable, and often causes trouble just for the fun of it. Unfortunately, some people in real life have tried to copy his actions, using his character as inspiration for their crimes. These Joker-inspired crimes are a frightening reminder of how dangerous it can be when people take ideas from a fictional villain and apply them in the real world.
1. James Holmes: The Theater Shooter
James Holmes is one of the most notorious criminals inspired by the Joker. In 2012, he attacked a movie theater during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises. Holmes dressed in tactical gear, set off tear gas, and opened fire on the audience, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. He had dyed his hair red and called himself "the Joker" during the attack. After he was arrested, Holmes revealed that he had rigged his apartment with explosives, leading to an evacuation of nearby buildings. He was found guilty of 24 counts of murder and is serving life in prison without parole.
2. Jerad Miller: A Deadly Shooting Spree
In 2014, Jerad Miller and his wife went on a shooting spree in Las Vegas, killing two police officers and a bystander before taking their own lives. During the attacks, Miller dressed as the Joker and posted disturbing videos online where he talked about causing destruction. The couple draped the fallen officers in flags, showing how deep their twisted beliefs ran.
3. Two Teens’ Joker-Inspired Pranks
In 2008, two teenagers from Virginia were inspired by The Dark Knight to create Joker-like playing cards with threatening messages. They left these cards in various stores. While their actions didn’t physically harm anyone, they were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism, showing that even what seems like a harmless prank can have serious consequences.
4. 15-Year-Old Girl Imitates the Joker
In 2016, a 15-year-old girl in England took her obsession with the Joker to a dangerous level. She cut a Joker-style smile into her face and then lured a friend to a quiet part of their school, where she stabbed her. Thankfully, the victim survived. The girl later said she wasn’t inspired by the Joker but was motivated by voices in her head. Still, her actions were eerily similar to the Joker’s violent behavior.
5. Teen Machete Attack in Edmonton
A 15-year-old in Edmonton attacked another teenager with a machete, giving him a Glasgow smile—similar to the scars seen on Heath Ledger’s Joker. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw and missing thumb. The attacker was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
6. Florida Man's Joker-Inspired ISIS Plot
In 2016, Enrique Dominguez, a 20-year-old from Florida, planned to join ISIS and kill his boss while dressed as the Joker. He was arrested before he could act on his plan. Police found disturbing items in his possession, including knives and a clown mask. Dominguez also posted pictures of his "arsenal" online, showing how much he idolized the Joker’s chaotic nature.
7. Joker Cards Left at Crime Scenes
Joshua Van Buskirk, from East Bay, felt betrayed by his friends after his marriage ended and decided to take revenge. He allegedly set fire to their homes and cars, leaving Joker playing cards as a signature at each crime scene. Though he denied his involvement, his behavior was very Joker-like, causing fear and destruction.
8. Robbery for YouTube Fame
In 2016, an 18-year-old from Ohio decided to rob a Walgreens pharmacy while dressed like Jared Leto’s Joker from Suicide Squad. His goal was to gain attention on YouTube. The prank didn’t go as planned, and he was arrested and charged with inducing panic.
9. Threats of Killing One Person a Week
In 2015, a man in Quebec dressed up like Heath Ledger’s Joker and posted a video where he threatened to kill one Muslim every week. He made these threats shortly after the Paris terrorist attacks, causing widespread alarm. The police quickly arrested him, reminding everyone that online threats lead to real-world consequences.
10. Drunk Joker in Maine
In 2013, a 64-year-old man in Maine was arrested after crashing his car while dressed as the Joker. He lost control of his vehicle and hit several trees, but luckily, no one was hurt. The incident was more bizarre than harmful, but it added to the list of real-life Joker copycats.
11. Joker Murders in Belgium
In 2009, a Belgian man named Kim De Gelder, dressed as the Joker, entered a nursery and killed two infants and their caregiver. He later admitted that he had planned to take his own life but decided to cause harm to others instead. The court found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to life in prison.
12. Threats from a Joker Impersonator
In 2012, Neil Edwin Prescott from Maryland threatened to shoot up his workplace and referred to himself as “the Joker.” When police investigated, they found 20 firearms in his home, proving he had the means to carry out his threats. Fortunately, Prescott was arrested before anyone was harmed.
13. Joker Fan Arrested at a Movie Theater
In 2012, Christopher Sides was arrested after pacing around a movie theater in full Joker costume, making other moviegoers nervous. He had a warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody before any harm could be done. Sides’ actions were a reminder of the fear that Joker copycats can cause, even without committing a crime.
14. Attempt to Steal Batman Posters
In 2008, Spencer Taylor tried to steal Batman posters from a theater in Michigan while dressed as the Joker. He didn’t get far and was quickly arrested. This odd attempt at theft earned him a spot on the list of people who let their Joker obsession go too far.
15. School Arson by a Joker Fan
Christopher Clancy, a teenager from Ireland, set fire to his old school while dressed as the Joker. He caused over a million dollars in damage but luckily didn’t hurt anyone. He was sentenced to receive medical help instead of jail time due to his psychological issues.
16. Joker-Inspired Army Attack
In 2009, a U.S. Army Specialist named Christopher Lanum, obsessed with the Joker, attacked his dorm mate with a stun gun and knife. After a wild chase, Lanum was killed by police when he pointed a shotgun at them. His actions showed the dangerous influence that the Joker character can have on unstable individuals.
These stories show how dangerous it can be when people take inspiration from the Joker’s chaotic nature. While the Joker may be a fictional character, the real-world consequences of copying his actions are very real and often tragic.