Store removes game after petition claims it 'encourages players to murder women'

Target’s Australia stores are removing Grand Theft Auto V from the shelves after more than 40,000 people signed an online petition saying the video game encourages players to murder women for entertainment.

Rockstar Games’ GTA V originally debuted in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A new edition for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One was released last month.

Strauss Zelnick, chairman and chief executive of Rockstar Games’ parent company, Take-Two Interactive Software, said he was disappointed the Australian retailer decided to stop selling the game.

Target General Manager Corporate Affairs Jim Cooper defended the move.

"We've been speaking to many customers over recent days about the game, and there is a significant level of concern about the game's content," hesaid.

"We've also had customer feedback in support of us selling the game, and we respect their perspective on the issue.

"However, we feel the decision to stop selling GTA5 is in line with the majority view of our customers."

Evan Lapiska, spokesman for Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Target, said Target Australia was not operated by the US retail company and the game would continue to be sold in Target stores in North America.