Youths throw incendiary devices into cars with open windows in a deadly game dubbed 'spunkball.'

See the email here.

There is no mention of 'spunkball' in the news databases of the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, the Washington Post or CNN.

There is something somewhat unsatisfying to a debunking that lacks positive disproof. Could someone make the incendiary device described in the email? Of course. Could there have been an similar incident? Certainly, but an isolated occurrance does not make for 'alarming numbers' or 'uncountable injuries.'

These forwarded emails tend to remain largely intact as they are passed hither and yon on the Internet. They do, however, often pick up additional pre- and post- commentary. One version of the Spunkball email has picked up the following preamble:

I just wanted to warn all law enforment officers and fire investigators about something that has been occurring more and more lately, all through out the country, mostly in inner cities.

This spins the tale in an interesting direction. It lends an air of authority to the email by commending it the attention of the police and fire investigators. Now it's not just youths bent on random mayhem, but 'inner city' youths with all the racial assumptions that implies. Does bring one iota of verifiable detail to the story? Nope.

• "Spunkball" from the Urban Legends Reference Pages

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