Sep 23, 2006 9:25 pm US/Eastern
Fight Over New Tickle Me Elmo Turns Dangerous
It's one of the most desired toys of the year, but a desire for the new TMX Elmo doll almost cost one man his life.
The Tampa Bay, Fl. man says he got up early and headed to a local Target to get his hands on one.
He got one for himself, and even scored a second - but when he gave that Elmo to an older shopper it almost cost him his life.
A 911 call captured what happened next:
"He told me he had a loaded gun on him and he'd have no problem shooting me," the man tells a 911 operator. "What it was an issue over this stupid Tickle Me Elmo freaking doll."
The man says his attacker was probably a professional toy collector.
"Chances are he's a hot wheels trader. That market is probably not doing well right now and he's doing the Elmo thing and I kind of moved in on his space. You know how drug dealers have corners; I think I hit his target corner up."
Florida police say they are taking the issue seriously. The suspect is still on the loose.
