SUBMITTED BY Timbo

July 8, 2003 — Examples of Matrix fans who have been inspired to commit acts of violence are turning up around the nation, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Matthew Lovett, the Oaklyn, N.J. teen arrested on Sunday and accused of plotting a killing spree, was fascinated by the film, classmates said.

Lovett, 18, would try to dress in black like Keanu Reeves's character and sometimes referred to himself as The Mystic, The One or Neo in reference to Reeves' character.

Another rabid fan was Josh Cooke, 19, of Oakton, Va., who shot his parents to death in February. One of Cooke's lawyers, Mani Fierro, has told Fox News that Cooke "did believe that he was in a virtual reality world similar to 'The Matrix.'"

Tonda Lynn Ansley, 37, of Hamilton Ohio, also allegedly believed she was living inside "The Matrix" when she shot and killed a college professor in July 2002. Ansley was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in May.

Read the full article at the link below.