Teen had passion for violent video games

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Griego case and other recent shootings have sparked not only a debate about gun violence, but also about the impact of violent movies and video games.

Griego shootings coverage »

With what sheriff's investigators revealed Tuesday about one of Nehemiah Griego's abiding interests is sure to keep the debate going.
    
The Columbine and Newtown school shooters both had one thing in common with Griego, a passion for violent video games.
    
“Games, violent games…it's kind of what he was into," Sheriff Dan Houston said.
    
That news came from a Bernalillo County press conference where investigators specified two video games Griego talked about a lot.
    
The game Call of Duty: Modern warfare was among his favorites and is a modern-day military game where players take on the role of a soldier carrying out violent missions.
    
Another favorite was Grand Theft Auto that features thugs going on violent rampages in city streets and inside buildings.
    
The way sheriff's officials describe it, the 15-year-old seemed to light up while talking about the video games.

"[He] was quite excited as he got the opportunity to discuss that with our investigators," Houston said.
    
Games like Modern Warfare and Grand Theft Auto have been criticized for their graphic content, with some claiming they desensitize players to violence.
    
However it is unclear what effect, if any, playing the video games had on Griego.
    
It caught the attention of sheriff's investigators, but it is not known if his parents knew the types of games he was playing.

“He enjoyed those types of video games,” lt. Sid covington said. “Whether he did it without his parents' knowledge, I don't know, but I know that he played those video games on a regular basis.”

Both Call of Duty: Modern and Grand Theft Auto are rated M for mature, the video game industry's equivalent of an R rating.
    
Almost all game stores have policies intended to prevent underage kids from buying those games, but there's no specific law on the books.

President Obama has asked congress for $10 million to study possible links between violent media and real-life violence.