9 year old child charged in shooting..

[chickened]

A very vengeful society we live in... no such thing as an accident anymore eh?

 

[sourland]

It is a complete misstatement to say that everyone should be treated the same under the law and the fact that this kid is 9 years old does not make a difference. That statement is wrong and the age of the child most certainly makes a difference in that in any crime the person must have the requisite criminal intent and that would be a much harder task to prove in the case of a nine year old vs. a 35 year old man. They are not and should not be treated the same under the law or anywhere else.

Absolutely!

 

[booker81]

When I was younger, one of the neighbor kids (which in my area, meant about two miles away) was messing around with his friend in the woods. They had handguns, and thought apparently they weren't loaded. He didn't have the best home life - divorced, lived with his mom who I vaguely remember working all the time and not at home much. We'd go and visit, and I remember not being comfortable around him, I stuck close to my mom.

He shot his best friend in the head, killed him. I don't recall what happened with charges - he didn't go to jail or anything, he did change schools, went to Juvie I think. It's hard to recall, it was 20+ years ago. I just remember my mom telling us about it.

I grew up around guns, and just knew that wasn't something you did. Our daughter is raised around guns, and is learning the same. We still don't have guns or ammo in places she can put them together, and won't.

It's a sad situation all around - for the families that have someone shot, and for the kid that is going to grow up with what they did. Looking at how we have our daughter and how we strive to raise her well and love her so much, it's hard to fathom how a parent could care less about raising a kid, but it obviously happens, each and every day.

Sad.

 

[redhen]

I think i would think differently about this if the boy went to school with the purpose to hurt someone and actually pointed the gun at someone... he didnt do that.

BUT even then,.. jail wont help this kid,.. LOTS and lots of love and therapy will...

 

[Matthew3590]

He still broke the law for having unlawful possession and for bringing a weapon to school.

He also knew what he was doing based on the article. Said he brought it for protection.

 

[redhen]

He still broke the law for having unlawful possession and for bringing a weapon to school.  

He also knew what he was doing based on the article.  Said he brought it for protection.

Matt, i dont think you truly understand how childrens minds think. Their brain isnt EVEN fully developed at that age...
Their "reasoning" is NOT what an adults reasoning is... (thats WHY there are "legal" ages on certain things.. 9 year olds cant drive, etc... theres a REAL reson for that..Their mental reasoning is not that of an adult that can think of ALL the consequences of their actions..i.e. "if i bring this gun to school it might go off on accident and KILL someone.." )
AND, add a kid that has been rasied in a neglectful enviroment with criminal parents... well,..

Anyways, i get where you are coming from,.. the legal stand-point of it...
Yes, he did break the law..

Now, if he had pointed the gun at someone to shoot them.... yes, i would see things differently... but this kid wasnt "trying" to hurt anyone.. that makes all the difference to me.
Again, just my opinion... and i hear/understand yours also..

ETA: From what i understand, he brought the gun to school because he was running away,.. and wanted it for protection on the streets?? I imagine hes street smart enough to know he'd need it... BUT yet, He's STILL a young child, that didnt FULLY understand the consequences of what could REALLY happen if he messed with that gun...

 

[Capvin]

Redhen, that was a very patient response......it will probably do no good, but your patience is admireable.

 

[chickened]

There is a crime that would be more fitting here like illegal discharge of a firearm and bringing a gun to school but the charges filed are a bit over the top. The poor kid was running away not planning a crime. I really doubt the kid will serve time. Prosecutors always go for the worse charge knowing plea bargains will replace the actual charge to a lesser charge to save money.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

What is the point of having a lower standard for kids but then throwing it out when its convenient.


No child should ever be charged as a adult....

 

[conny63malies]

But at what point does a child become an adult.?12, 15,16,17? some crimes children commit are just as evil as crimes grown ups commits. What about those two ten year old that killed little James Bulger, or that red haired freckled kid(14) that abducted and killed a small child on the way to day camp? THere are plenty 15-16"kids" that commited shootings and or murders that should never see the light of day again.

What is the point of having a lower standard for kids but then throwing it out when its convenient.


No child should ever be charged as a adult....