10-year old boy arrested after pointing Air Soft gun at woman

A 10-year old boy in Burbank, California was arrested for aiming a pellet gun at an elderly woman at her front door.

From the article:

Investigators say the boy knocked on the 67-year-old woman's front door on Sunday and pointed the black air gun, which shoots soft pellets, at her and yelled, "You suck." He then ran away.

Sgt. Darin Ryburn says the boy picked the house because the woman's grandson reportedly beat up his friend at school.

The boy was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor brandishing a weapon and he was issued a citation before being turned over to his parents. He must appear in Pasadena Juvenile Court within 30 days.

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14-year old boy wounded by stray bullet when taking out the trash

A 14-year old boy in Rock Hill, South Carolina, was taking out the trash when a gunfight broke out between two cars. One bullet hit the boy in the left leg.

From the article:

The 14-year-old was outside his Arch Drive home Saturday evening when he heard eight gun shots, according to a Rock Hill police report.

One of the bullets hit him in the left leg. He told police he noticed people across the street, and two cars driving down the road appeared to be shooting at each other.

The boy asked a neighbor to call 911, the report states. He then asked his brother to take him to the hospital.

Bullets don't know when to stop.

14-year old boy wounded from apparent stray bullet in New Jersey

A 14-year old boy was exiting a store in Paterson, New Jersey, when a gun fight erupted a block and a half away. Two men were killed and two were wounded, but one of the bullets hit the boy in the arm.

The boy is in stable condition.

Bullets don't know when to stop.

12-year old Waco child arrested after bringing pellet gun and knife to school

A 12-year old student in Waco, Texas, has been arrested for bringing a pellet gun and knife to school and making threats.

From the article and news video:

Waco police were called out to Midway Intermediate School around 2 p.m. Monday.

School faculty members kept the child detained and took the alleged weapons from the child until police could make their arrest.

The suspect allegedly made several threats against students.

The child is facing terroristic threat charges and was taken to the a juvenile detention center.

No one was harmed.

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16-year old boy shot in neck in Chicago suburb

A 16-year old boy was shot in the neck behind a business in Bolingbrook, a suburb of Chicago. He is expected to survive.

From the article:

A 16-year-old boy was shot in the neck Sunday and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, police said.

Police on Monday described the victim’s injury as serious but said it did not appear to threaten his life.

No more information about the victim was released.

Police put out a statement Monday saying the teen was shot behind a business in the 100 block of West Boughton Road. He left that area and went to the 100 block of Somerset, where police were called at 5:39 p.m.

Police said they are investigating the shooting but would not release any more information.

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15-year old and 19-year old wounded in Chicago

A 15-year old boy and 19-year old young man were both wounded in a shooting in the West Englewood area of the south side of Chicago. Both had been shot in their left foot.

The article did not share further information.

17-year old George Torres shot in head and killed in Florida

George Torres, age 17

17-year old George Torres went to a Pierson, Florida home looking for a fight. He wanted to fight the brother of his old roommate, Rogelio Dejesus Castillo, 25. But Castillo shot Torres in the back of the head and legs, killing the boy.

From the article:

Sheriff's investigators said a fight between Torres and Castillo's brother prompted the shooting.

A witness said Torres was walking away and about 20 feet away when Castillo fired the gun several times, said investigators, who had not recovered the weapon by Monday.

Castillo later told investigators he was only trying to scare Torres and did not intend to shoot him, deputies said.

Investigators are still working to learn what the fight was about, said sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught.

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16-year old New Yorker shot in elbow in apparent accident

A 16-year old New York city girl was shot in the elbow in an apparent accident in her apartment in the Lower East Side.

From the article:

The unidentified teen was shot inside an apartment at 210 Stanton St. about 3 p.m. and taken to Bellevue Hospital where she was listed in stable condition, according to police.

She was believed to have been struck with a bullet when someone was playing with a gun, sources said.

NYPD officials said that the teen likely knew the suspect. No arrests have been made.

"I heard the [shot] and a lot of people screaming," said a 56-year-old woman who lives on the floor of the victim and declined to give her name. When she opened the door to the hallway, she saw teen shrieking, she said.

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Two Duluth, Minnesota middle school students expelled for having a pellet gun in school

Not more than a few weeks ago, a Texas middle school student was shot and killed by law enforcement officers because he refused to put down his pellet gun when confronted by the police in his school. The officers and school officials did not know that the gun was not real. Now, two students in Duluth, Minnesota have been expelled for bringing a pellet gun to school. From the article:

The weapon look-alike was a plastic airsoft gun, and the two students were expelled for possession of the same gun. Students who bring such items to school, regardless of intended use, are subject to expulsion, said Katie Kaufman, spokeswoman for the district.

The thing is, Airsoft type pellet guns are made to look just like the real thing. They are confused for the real thing and so people treat them as such. Where do kids get these guns? Do their parents understand the danger of these look-alike guns?

Guns of any kind do not belong in schools.

Video on the Second Amendment by two Oregon boys who had been targeted by boy with gun

Two boys from Bend, Oregon, Oliver and Aleczander Reese, have entered a very good video on Second Amendment issues for this year's C-Span StudentCam competition.

Last year, Oliver had been assaulted by another boy, then that boy had gotten hold of his father's gun and ammunition and made a hit list which included the Reese brothers.  They are in 7th and 10th grades.

Video link:  http://studentcam.viddler.com/videos/watch.php?id=f0af7573

They take a look at the original historical meaning of the Second Amendment, mention other kid shootings, and discuss the need for Child Access Prevention laws.

I urge you to visit the link and watch the video.  Quite well-done for kids of this age, and we applaud them for taking on this serious issue.

Good luck, boys, on your competition.

Good article on kids and guns, after recent Durham shooting

How do kids get their hands on guns? How does America rate for child deaths, compared to other countries.

An excerpt from the article:

The statisics are pretty horrific. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of children under the age of 5 who die from firearms is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. Children in the U.S. are 16 times more likely to be murdered with a gun, 11 times more likely to commit suicide with a gun, and nine times more likely to die in a gun accident than children in these other countries, the organization says.

So how are children getting to these guns?

A RAND-UCLA study found that 61 percent of families who have both children and firearms in their home do not keep their firearms locked and unloaded, and ammunition in a separate location. Nine percent reported keeping their guns loaded and unlocked.

And while parents may think the top shelf of a closet is a safe place for a weapon, they should never underestimate a child’s curiosity and inventiveness.

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Two teens shot in south Florida fair, by 17-year old

From the article:

A fight broke out at the fairgrounds, west of West Palm Beach, shortly after midnight Sunday, sparking the shooting that injured a girl and a boy, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.

The victims were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life threatening. The girl has since been released from the hospital, but the boy was still being treated for several gunshot wounds Monday evening at St. Mary's Medical Center, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said.

Authorities have released few details about the suspected shooter or why he pulled out a gun. Deputies locked down the sprawling fairgrounds on Southern Boulevard, keeping thousands of people from leaving the fair for up to an hour. During that time, deputies hunted the shooter, whom they described only as a man dressed in black.

The fairgrounds was packed when the fight erupted near Gate 2, on the northeast side of the fair. Online news readers commented about people "screaming in terror" as they ran from the scene.

UPDATE (2/5/12): An arrest has been made. From a follow-up article:

A Palm Beach Gardens High School senior was arrested Wednesday for the Saturday shooting of two people at the South Florida Fair.

Because he is a juvenile, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office identified him only as a 17-year-old black male from Riviera Beach.

The boy, who was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, told detectives that "Rone" shot him with a .22 caliber handgun, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The victim said he was walking to the exit with friends when his girlfriend pulled his shirt and told him to "watch out." He turned around and saw "Rone" shooting at him.

Another male then handed him a gun to return fire.

The victim, who said he has known "Rone" since elementary school, described the Riviera Beach teen as a member of the Monroe Heights Posse Gang, the affidavit said.

A witness told detectives two groups of people were fighting when a male, dressed in black, removed a gun from his pocket. He began shooting at one of the victims who then shot back at him, the affidavit said.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Girl's basketball coach brings gun to school and makes threats

A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania girl's high school coach brought his gun on school property and made threats against a student. He had an expired conceal carry permit, but guns aren't allowed on school grounds, including in his car.

From the article and news video:

A local high school girl's basketball coach is on leave after police charged him with several crimes, including bringing a weapon onto school property.

Rashaud Macon, 33, coaches the varsity team at Central Dauphin East High School.

Lower Paxton Township police charged him with making terroristic threats, simple assault, possession of a weapon on school property, and carrying a firearm without a license.

Investigators said on Thursday, they were contacted by an employee of the Central Dauphin School District, who said that she is Macon's ex-girlfriend. Police said she reported that she had received a threatening text message from Macon about a week prior.

Police and school officials conducted an investigation immediately, according to officers. During that investigation it was discovered that Macon, who is not a full-time school district employee, was in possession of a legally obtained firearm in his vehicle, which was parked on school property, and that his Dauphin County concealed weapons permit had expired in December of 2011.

Macon cooperated with the investigation and turned himself into police, authorities said.

He is currently free on bail.

The investigation revealed that, at no time, were any students in danger as a result of this incident, police said.

This was Macon's first year coaching the Lady Panthers.

8-year old girl and father threatened by gunman

An 8-year old Albuquerque girl and her father were in a grocery store parking lot when a man pulled a gun on them.

From the article:

It happened Saturday night in the Albertson’s parking lot near Coors Boulevard and Central Avenue southwest.

Police say Louis Chavez, a former inmate at the Metro Detention Center, recognized a man at an Albertson’s parking lot as a guard at the jail.

Police say Chavez took off when the girl started screaming.

Officers found Chavez at a nearby bus stop.

He was arrested and charged with child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

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Two teens attack a plain-clothed New York police officer, one teen shot dead

A 15-year old boy and a 17-year old boy, both New York gang members, attacked a man who turned out to be an off-duty detective in plain clothes heading to his job. The detective defended himself, shooting and killing the 17-year old.

From the article:

A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old trailed the detective, who was dressed in plain clothes, as he walked to a Brooklyn subway station around midnight Sunday, New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said. The teenagers targeted the 50-year-old detective because he's less than 6 feet tall and weighs only about 155 pounds, he said.

The 15-year-old grabbed the detective's arm and acted as though he had a gun, Browne said. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Antwain White beat the detective in the face with a wooden cane and told him to empty his pockets, police said.

White belonged to a gang called Muckers, whose approximately 20 members have been accused of robbing people in the Bushwick neighborhood, where the attack on the detective occurred, authorities said. It's unclear if the 15-year-old also belonged to the gang.

The detective pulled out his gun and his shield, said he's a policeman and told White to drop the cane, Browne said. White refused to drop the cane and lurched toward the detective, who fired his gun once, striking White through the arm and into the chest, police said. The detective then called 911 and stayed with White as the 15-year-old fled, police said.

White was pronounced dead at a hospital. The officer suffered bruises to his face.

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15-year old Georgia boy accidentally shoots self

A 15-year old Decatur, Georgia boy accidentally shot himself with a gun in his home.

From the article:

Investigators said the teen was playing with the gun that he brought into the Decatur home when it discharged and struck him.

Police did not provide any details on the boy’s injuries, but said they were minor.

The boy was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Lt. Braun said.

It was unclear early Monday where and how the teen obtained the gun. It was also unclear if the boy lived at the home and whether there were any witnesses to the shooting.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

8-year old girl shot by 12-year old brother unloading rifle

From the article about a shooting in Alice, Texas:

Alice police are investigating what they call an "accidental" shooting.

Detectives say it happened on Hobbs Street Saturday afternoon.

Officers say a 12-year old boy was unloading a rifle when it went off and struck an 8-year old girl in the abdomen.

Halo Flight rushed her to the hospital.

We're told her injuries are severe but not life threatening.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

17-year old boy shot in head in St. Louis

From the article:

A 17-year-old boy is currently in critical condition after three males approached him in a car, pulled a gun and then shot him in the head Saturday evening.

Police say the victim was riding in a car on the 2400 block of Blair, when the shooting happened around 6:45 p.m.

The three male suspects were described as being in their 20’s wearing all black, carrying guns.

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Teen girl wounded in Louisville shooting

A teen girl in Louisville, Kentucky, was outside a home when her boyfriend got involved in an altercation. She tried to pull him into the home, but someone fired a gun, striking her and wounding her.

From the article:

Metro Police said the boyfriend of the resident was involved in an altercation involving several people outside a home.

Police said the residents teenage daughter was attempting to pull her boyfriend back into the house when someone fired a weapon striking the female teen.

The victim was transported to University Hospital. Police said her injuries do not appear life threatening.

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14-year old boy shot in leg while riding ATV in Arizona desert

A 14-year old boy and his father were riding their ATVs in the desert west of Phoenix, Arizona. They heard gunshots, then the boy felt pain in his leg. When they stopped, they discovered he had been hit by gunfire.

From the article:

They were riding in the desert about 11:30 a.m. near Interstate 10 and Watson Road in Buckeye when they heard gunshots, said Jeff Sprong, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Sprong said the boy began complaining of leg pain, and when his father checked on his condition, a bullet wound was found.

The 14-year-old was driven to the hospital by his father where he was treated and released, officials said.

Sprong said it’s not uncommon for people to go shooting in the area, and a bullet may have ricocheted and struck the boy’s leg.

Bullets don't know when to stop.

17-year old boy critically injures man in Indiana shooting

A 17-year old boy has been arrested for shooting a man in the head, in Kokomo, Indiana.

From the article:

Police responded to the scene around 5 a.m., and officers found Taurean T. Jones, 23, Kokomo, lying in a backyard in the 1100 block of East Mulberry Street with a gunshot wound to the head.

Police said Jones was able to provide information to police before being taken to St. Joseph Hospital. He was then flown to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he was undergoing surgery Sunday afternoon, police said.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the shooting and taken to the Kinsey Youth Center. Investigators believe an altercation led to the shooting.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

13-year old girl and mom shot and wounded in Philly

From the article:

A 13-year-old girl and her 34-year-old mother were injured in a double shooting in the city's Nicetown section last night, police said. Shots rang out just after 7:30 in a house on Rowan Street near Germantown Avenue. Police said the teen was hit in the leg and the woman was hit twice in the back. Both were taken to Temple University Hospital, where the woman was listed in critical condition and the girl was listed in stable.

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16-year old pregnant girl shot and wounded by boyfriend

16-year old Kimberly Valasquez got into a fight with her boyfriend in the hallway outside her apartment in lower East Side New York City, which she shares with her parents and two sisters. That's when he pulled a gun and shot her, injuring her in the arm.

It turns out she was two months pregnant. Luckily, the unborn child is apparently unaffected.

The article did not give information about the age of the boyfriend, the motive for the shooting, or whether he was the father of the child.

“Her boyfriend shot her,” said a girl who described herself as Kimberly’s best friend but would not provide her name or say what fueled the dispute.

“She’s out of surgery now — she and the baby are going to be okay.”

....

Neighbors were surprised she was involved in the dangerous incident.

“She’s a smart one,” Jaquez said. “I never expected anything like this to happen to her.”

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Arizona high school student posts photo of Obama t-shirt with bullet holes on Facebook page

This unlikely story involving at least one high school student from Peoria, Arizona and several other "young adults" is disturbing. A photo posted on the Facebook page of the high school student and also of a local police officer show a group of young men holding guns and a bullet ridden Obama t-shirt. From the article:

The photograph was also posted on the Facebook page of one of the young men holding a gun in the image. He was identified as a student at Peoria’s Centennial High School.

Danielle Airey, a spokeswoman for the Peoria Unified School District, said district officials were conducting an investigation and working to identify any students involved. “We will also wait to hear from local and federal authorities to cooperate with their investigations,” she said in an e-mail.

Questions need to be asked. What are these young men doing with guns in the first place? Where did they get their guns? What was the police officer doing shooting guns with these kids at a ranch?What did they intend by posting this photo? The article mentions that the Secret Service will be having a chat with the young men.

UPDATE (3/1/12):  The police sergeant who is responsible for this teen shooting party, and for posting the picture of it, has been demoted and suspended.  From the article:

Pat Shearer, who took the picture, will be demoted to the rank of officer and suspended without pay for two weeks. "We expect our employees to exercise sound judgment and not bring discredit upon our police department," Police Chief Roy Minter said in a written statement. 

The Secret Service began an investigation into the photograph, but told Reuters that it was not pursuing any action against Shearer. The photo depicted a group of seven teenagers holding firearms and holding a T-shirt with Shepard Fairey's famous portrait of Obama. The shirt appeared to be shot through with bullets. The Secret Service investigates all threats against a president, even ones made in jest.

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10-year old Chicago girl wounded when someone shoots through window

Tameria Allen, age 10

A 10-year old girl, Tameria Allen, was wounded when a gunman shot through her window, in Chicago.

From the article:

A 10-year-old girl was shot early Saturday when a bullet came through the window of her home in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
An unknown assailant fired into a home in the 1100 block of North Keystone Avenue at 1:42 a.m., police News Affairs Officer Ronald Gaines said.
A bullet went through a window and struck the girl inside the home, Gaines said. It is unknown if she was the intended target.
The 10-year-old girl suffered a graze wound to the leg and was treated at the scene.

According to news footage, six bullets had hit the house. There were ten children in the house, plus the parents. Luckily, only Tameria was injured.

Last year, a bullet had flown through the window of her third grade classroom, narrowly missing her and a friend.

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Another 16-year old Milwaukee boy shot to death

A 16-year old boy was found dead outside a home in Milwaukee, having been shot once in the chest elsewhere and collapsing at that location. A woman is in custody in connection to the shooting.

This is the second boy who went to the same school to be shot and killed this month, the first being Eddie Ellis, who was shot to death over an argument on Facebook.

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16-year old boy shot multiple times over Facebook argument

Eddie Ellis, age 16

16-year old Eddie Ellis was killed, shot multiple time in the chest outside an apartment building in Milwaukee. The shooting apparently stemmed from an online argument on Facebook.

From the article:

Those who knew Ellis called him a good kid; happy, smart and studious.

"He was a good friend," said classmate Darius King.

"We're asking for prayers, love, support, everything," said Akeisha McCormick, Ellis' aunt.

She claimed the murder stemmed from a fight on Facebook between the teenager's cousin and ex-girlfriend, a fight in which Eddie was caught in the middle.

"It's real petty. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't," explained McCormick.

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17-year old boy accidentally shoots hunting partner in foot

Three boys, an 18-year old, named Tyler Sumner, and two 17-year olds, Ricky Grivetti and Dakota Bush, were hunting raccoons in the woods of Missouri. One of them injured a coon and held it down with his foot. One of the 17-year olds then tried to finish off the racoon, but missed and hit the 18-year old's foot instead.

From the article:

Twyman did confirm the shooting was accidental and that a .22-caliber rifle was used.

The sheriff's office information stated that it was determined three males were coon hunting in the area. During the hunt, one of the teens wounded a raccoon. A second subject was holding the animal down with his foot to prevent it from getting away.

"The plan was for the subject to remove his foot, and the other subject was to shoot the animal," the press release stated. "When the victim moved his foot, the animal attempted to flee. The victim attempted to put his foot back on the animal, at which time the other subject fired at the animal, striking the victim in the foot."

....

"This serious accident occurred because people were not paying attention while using firearms," said Twyman, who also is certified as a hunting incident investigator. "We always encourage everyone to be safe while hunting. Be sure any weapon is only pointed at the target and not at anyone else."

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15-year old Escondido boy critically injured after being shot multiple times

A 15-year old Escondido, California boy was apparently riding on his bike when a car pulled up alongside. A man around 20-years old got out, approached the boy, then shot him multiple times before fleeing.

From the article:

Officers arrived to find the 15-year-old victim with multiple gunshot wounds lying on the sidewalk on the east side of the street, Wynn said.

Paramedics responded and took the boy to a hospital to be treated.

Police have identified the victim but have declined so far to release his name, Wynn said.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was on or near a bicycle when a silver car, possibly with four doors, pulled up alongside him, Wynn said.

A male suspect got out of the vehicle, approached the victim, shot him several times, then got back into the vehicle. It was last seen by witnesses headed north on Juniper Street, Wynn said.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic man in his early 20s with slicked back hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt and black pants.

Police have not yet determined what led to the shooting, Wynn said.

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17-year old boy shot to death in Youngstown, Ohio

Carols "Los" Cruz, Jr., age 17

A Youngstown, Ohio boy, 17-year-old Carols "Los" Cruz Jr., was found shot to death outside a party in the early morning hours. He was shot multiple times.

From the article:

Witnesses told police there was a large party at one of the apartments in the complex, and that Cruz was walking toward another apartment when he was shot.
Witnesses told police they heard several shouts and screaming, Milstead said.
The first officers who arrived found Cruz face-down. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
...
Milstead said Cruz has been arrested several times in the past, including once for felonious assault.
Cruz turned 17 two weeks ago.

From another article:

[The boy's mother] Sparkle Johnson said, to her knowledge, her son didn't have any enemies and everyone loved him. Now, his family is remembering Carlos as jokester, someone who could always make them laugh.
....
His mother is baffled by what could have prompted such violence. Johnson said her son didn't have any enemies that she knew of, and he wasn't involved in any trouble. She just wants justice for her son.

"I don't have any clues. You know, there's a lot of rumors floating around," said Johnson.

"Youngstown is starting to be a hard city to raise a young black male in."

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15-year old Chicago boy critically injured in shooting

Few details have been released at this time, but a 15-year old boy in Chicago has been injured by gunfire.

From the article:

[A] 15-year-old boy suffered a serious gunshot wound about 7 p.m., though few details about the shooting were immediately available. He was shot on the 3800 block of West Roosevelt Road in the North Lawndale neighborhood, police said.

The Chicago Fire Department took him to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious-to-critical condition, a department spokesman said.

It's unclear what prompted the shooting.

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14-year old boy arrested for bringing gun to school on three occasions

A 14-year old Hawaiian boy has been arrested for bringing a gun to school on three different occasions and for threatening to use it on another student.

From the article:

Police arrested a 14-year-old boy, who allegedly brought a firearm to school on three separate occasions in Aiea, police said.

The boy also allegedly threatened to use the gun on a fellow student at the unnamed school.

The alleged offenses occurred between Monday and Thursday. Officers arrested the boy Friday for investigation of three firearm offenses, carrying an unregistered firearm, and terroristic threatening.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

16-year old boy and 19-year old hold up a store with realistic toy assault rifle

A 16-year old boy and a 19-year old young man held up a Texas business using a toy assault rifle.  The orange tip had been removed.  The clerk, who had even sold firearms and ammo in the past, was fooled by the look-alike.  They boys have been arrested.

From the article:

"He put a gun to the clerk and threatened him," Nathan Ruiz said.

Ruiz says the clerk was terrified and thought the assault rifle was real.

"The clerk has worked selling guns and ammo and he had no clue. He thought the gun looked very real."

But, police says the gun used in the crime was a fake. Authorities later arrested 19-year old Jaquan White and a 16-year old boy. Officials say the toy gun was stripped of the orange tip that would have helped identify it as a fake.
....
Police say it isn't uncommon for fake guns to be used in crimes. They also say some phony firearms are becoming more realistic looking. The only real giveaway is often the orange tip, telling police the gun is a toy.

"it is even difficult for trained police officers to tell the difference," Carrollton police spokesperson, Jon Stovall said.

Stovall said Carrollton passed an ordinance in 2004 making it illegal for an adult to brandish a fake gun in a menacing way. The law also makes it illegal for a juvenile to carry a fake gun in public to a park or school. Stovall says the ordinance grew out of an incident involving a police officer and a child that didn't end up with anyone being hurt, but could have ended badly.

"Kids often don't think about what they are doing, so this helps keep them safe."

Since then a handful of cities, including Dallas have also passed ordinances to restrict where children can carry fake guns. In most cities, those caught violating the rule can be fined.

Why have such realistic toy guns?

Three teens, including a 17-year old girl and 16-year old boy, shot in Wisconsin

From the article:

The shooting that injured three teens Wednesday at a house near N. 40th St. and W. Lisbon Ave. stemmed from an earlier, ongoing quarrel between people who all knew one another, police said Thursday.

Shortly after the shooting, police arrested a 19-year-old. Police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said Thursday that investigators are not looking for any more suspects.

Two girls - a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old - and a 16-year-old boy were injured in the shooting and taken to a hospital with what police said were non-life threatening injuries.

No charges have been issued in the case.

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15-year old boy critically injured in San Bernadino

Few details have been released regarding a nearly-fatal shooting of a 15-year old boy, Steven Guzman, in San Bernadino. He was walking with three other friends, and was hit in the head and leg. There were no apparent gang ties. The shooter apparently used a revolver.

From the article:

San Bernardino Police are looking for the suspect or suspects who shot a 15-year-old boy Friday night.

A group of people were standing in front of a house in the 1500 block of Bell Street around 7:15 p.m. when someone in a passing car fired at them, police said.

The boy suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

From another article:

According to police, Steven Guzman, 15, was standing among a crowd outside a home on the 1500 block of Belle Street around 7 p.m. Friday when a passing car opened fire.

Guzman was struck in the head and was taken to a hospital. He died of his injury late Saturday evening.

(news footage)
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7th graders get in argument in class, when one pulls out a gun

Two 7th grade boys got into an argument in class, in Los Angeles. One pulled out a knife, at which point the other reached into a backpack and pulled out a gun. The backpack and gun had come from a third boy.

Luckily, no one was hurt and the boys were stopped by campus security.

From the article:

Authorities say three South Los Angeles middle school students were taken into custody after two of them pulled out a knife and gun during an argument in a 7th-grade class.

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools spokesman Patrick Sinclair tells the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/zgLJDu ) that the Samuel Gompers Middle School students began arguing Wednesday afternoon when one of them pulled out a knife. The other boy then grabbed a backpack and took out a gun.

Sinclair says the other students saw what happened and immediately ran out the door. No one was hurt.

Sinclair says the boys were quickly apprehended by campus security, along with a third student who was not in the classroom but brought the backpack with the gun. All three were turned over to Los Angeles police.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

16-year old boy shoots a deputy with the officer's gun, during transport

Deputy Fred Ashworth, 45, was transporting a 16-year old boy back to a holding facility after a court hearing. The boy was handcuffed and shackled, both hands and feet, but as he was being led back to his cell, the boy overpowered the deputy, got hold of the deputy's .40-caliber handgun, and shot Ashworth twice, critically injuring him. The deputy wasn't wearing his bulletproof vest, against policy

From the article:

Ashworth has 20 years of experience and was assigned to the prisoner transport division. He was returning the teen to the juvenile center following the teen's hearing in Orange County on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest/Detention.
....
Investigators want to know how the juvenile got the deputy's gun and why the 16-year-old shot him twice in the upper chest. Law enforcement officers have been at the detention center all day gathering evidence to help them with the case.
....
Carroll says the teen was shackled hand and foot and handcuffed but somehow got out of the handcuffs. Investigators are trying to determine how the juvenile managed to get free of the cuffs.

The deputy fought off the boy with a taser.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

17-year old Florida boy shoots and kills man in drug deal

Gerald Terrell Jones, age 17

A 17-year old boy, Gerald Terrell Jones, from Brandon, Florida, was dealing illegal marijuana when the deal went sour. He then shot and killed the potential buyer.

From the article:

Investigators said Jones and Drake had gotten into a fight inside Drake's vehicle while it was parked in a driveway in the 1400 block of Mohrlake Drive, and Jones "produced a pistol and threatened to kill the victim."
After the altercation, Jones took an unknown amount of marijuana from the vehicle and attempted to run off, police said. The two got into another altercation, during which Jones fired several shots, shooting Drake once through the head. Jones was identified by witnesses, police said.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first go through the hands of an adult.

16-year old Milwaukee boy killed by 18-year old female pot dealer during robbery

Four teen boys decided to rob an illegal pot dealer. One of them was 16-year-old Roderrick Capehart. They faked wanting to purchase the marijuana, but when they tried to rob 18-year old Chasity Lewis, she pulled out a .22-caliber handgun and shot Capehart in the chest, killing him. This stopped the robbery, but it may also put her in prison for 25 years.

From the article:

After receiving a call from one of them, Lewis picked up the four near N. 16th and W. Nash streets. While she stopped at a store to get change, the boys walked to an alley where Lewis met them.
When she pulled out several bags of marijuana, one of the boys not charged punched Lewis, who spun around and grabbed Capehart.
After Lewis and Capehart fell, one of the boys yelled "gun" before they ran away and heard a gunshot.
Lewis told a detective she began selling marijuana about two weeks before to get money for a car and bought the .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol for $75 for protection.
She also said she did not fear for her safety during the incident and that she shot Capehart because she did not want to have her money or marijuana taken from her.

.

16-year old girl hit by stray bullet during drive-by shooting

A 16-year old girl was shot in the leg in Chicago during a drive-by shooting.

According to the article:

The teen was shot in the left leg and sustained a through-and-through injury. She was taken to Northwestern University Medical Center in fair condition, police said.

She appears to have been an unintended target.

From a related article:

At 4:05 p.m. police were called to the 4800 block of South Drexel Boulevard because a 16-year-old girl had been shot in the left thigh, according to a Prairie District police lieutenant.

Investigators determined that someone inside a black SUV fired the shots that hit the teen, who was standing with other people in front of a building at the Drexel address.

.

16-year old shoots 19-year old in front of police precinct

a 16-year old boy brazenly shot a 19-year old in front of a police precinct in the Bronx, killing the young man.

From the article:

The teenaged shooter opened fire on a 19-year-old man in front of the 46th Precinct stationhouse on Ryer Ave. in University Heights at about 1:45 a.m., the sources said.

An officer standing in the building’s vestibule heard the shots and ran outside, sources said. The cop saw the victim lying on the ground with wounds to his back, chest and abdomen, sources said.

He then spotted the shooter running away from the scene. The officer used his radio to put out a description of the gunman, who was nabbed nearby, sources said.

A .38-caliber pistol was also recovered, sources said.

The victim — who sources said may have had an ongoing beef with the shooter — was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

13-year old girl wounded when 14-year old boy shows her his gun

A 14-year old boy was showing off a gun to a 13-year old girl in the bronx when the gun was accidentally discharged.

From the article:

The victim, a 13-year-old girl, was wounded in her upper arm when a boy was showing her his gun and it accidentally went off, a police source said.

The boy, 14, took off after the 6:21 p.m. incident, a police source said. But he turned up nearly two hours later back at the apartment on Elder Ave. near Watson Ave. in Soundview where the shooting occurred, the police source said.

He was taken into custody, the source said.

The article did not say where the boy got the gun.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

4-year old finds loaded gun in kitchen and shoots himself in the head

A 4-year old Durham, North Carolina boy went into his family's kitchen and found a loaded, unsecured handgun there. The gun went off when he handled it, shooting him in the head.

From the article:

“This was a very unfortunate incident,” Lopez said. “He [the boy] was being curious with a gun that he found. It reinforces the need for gun safety and the proper securing of firearms.”

Lopez said police had made no decision on possible charges.

“At this point, that’s still under investigation,” he said. “We’re looking into it to see if charges are going to arise out of it.”

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

11-year old boy threatens woman with gun on train in Oregon

A group of young teens got onto a metro train in Portland, Oregon. They bumped a baby stroller, which sparked an argument between the baby's mother and the teens.

That's when one boy, age 11, flashed a loaded .22-caliber handgun at her. Police were called.

From the article:

A group of teenagers had boarded the train at the Skidmore Fountain station and bumped into the stroller about 8:20 p.m., said Sgt. Pete Simpson, a spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau. The woman said something to the group, which sparked an argument.

The 11-year-old then walked up to the woman, Simpson said.

"The kid lifts up his shirt and there's a gun," he said.

He started to pull the gun out of the waistband of his pants and the woman backed off and called 9-1-1. She pointed out the suspect to officers when the train stopped at the Old Town/Chinatown platform, Simpson said.

Officers took the 11-year-old into custody after finding a loaded .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun in his waistband. They also arrested a 13-year-old boy who had a BB gun in his backpack.

"I'm blown away," Simpson said. "I'm a cop for 18 years and I've never heard of an 11-year-old with a gun."

The 13-year-old was taken to Janus Youth Program. Officers obtained a court order to lodge the 11-year-old in the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Home.

Police said they do not know yet how the child obtained the gun.

Transit Police Cmdr. Mike Crebs said his officers alerted the police bureau’s Gun Task Force to help determine how the 11-year-old got access to it.

“We’re going to look at every angle to find out how this child ended up with a loaded gun in his waistband,’’ Crebs said. “That’s not something we take lightly.’’

Penny Okamoto, executive director of Ceasefire Oregon, said whoever provided the child with the firearm or allowed him access to it should be held liable. A city ordinance adopted in December 2010 makes it a city crime to endanger a child by allowing access to a firearm. An adult would be guilty of the crime if he or she failed to prevent access to a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, to a child without permission, or the permission of a parent or guardian. It would not apply if a child obtained a gun through illegal entry to a home, or if the gun was locked away, secured or inoperable.

In a sad irony, the boy's own sister, 14-year old Yashanee Vaughn, was shot in the head and killed, last March, by her 16-year old boyfriend, 14-year-old Parrish Bennette.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

17-year old girl shot and killed in unintentional shooting

Parker Morris, age 17

A 17-year old Alabama girl, Parker Morris, has died in an apparent shooting accident in her home, from a gunshot to her head. Specifics on the accident have not been released.

From the article:

A 17-year-old Calera High School student died following a shooting in Chilton County on Jan. 21.

Parker Morris was pronounced dead at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, her mother, Elaine Walton, told the Shelby County Reporter.

Walton called a shooting incident at a residence just outside of Thorsby, near the intersection of County Road 50 and Highway 191, an “accident.”

Chilton County Sheriff Kevin Davis would only say the case is being treated as a “death investigation.”

From another article:

“When the accident occurred (in Thorsby), there was no cell phone service or a landline,” Walton said. ”They had to put her in the car to get service or flag someone down. They flagged down a vehicle that turned out to be a firefighter. That’s when they called the paramedics, and she was transported to Shelby (Medical Center).”

From a third article: She was an organ donor.

Walton said Morris was accepted recently into the honors program at the University of Montevallo.

“She had such a broad range of friends. She never met a stranger,” Walton said. “Through this whole experience, I have met so many people that have said how they’ve been affected by Parker and how she’s affected their lives in ways they’ll always be thankful for.”

.

Two girls, 14 & 16, wounded on streets of Chicago

Two teen girls, ages 14 and 16, were walking in south side of Chicago in the evening when they heard gunshots and were both hit. The article didn't say if they were known to be the intended targets.

From the article:

The 14-year-old was shot in the ankle, while the older girl suffered a graze wound to her calf, police said.

Both were taken to Mercy Hospital where they were treated and released.

No arrests had been made as of this morning.

The shooting happened near the Chicago High School for the Arts, 521 East 35th St., the site of the old Doolittle Primary School.

Police didn't say whether the victims were students at the school.

.

2-year old boy shot in head and killed in attack on home

Elijah Banuelos, age 2

Elijah Banuelos, who would have turned 3 years old in April, was at his Coachella, California home with male relatives, in the open garage, when a car pulled up. Several men got out of the car and opened fire.

Elijah was hit in the head and died shortly after. Two men with him were injured.

One man was treated at the scene after he suffered a graze wound to his torso. The other was hospitalized with a gunshot to the leg but was later released, police said this afternoon.

....

Cassandra Gomez, 22, said she lives down the street and was home at the time of the shooting.

"It sounded like they reloaded. They paused for a while and started up again," she said, adding that she heard about eight to nine shots.
....
The mother said she has lived in the neighborhood for about six months and heard gunshots only once, on New Year’s Eve. The drive-by shooting was shocking to her.

Other Rancho Mariposa residents declined to be identified, but said the house where the shooting occurred is occupied by a family with two young children.

.

17-year old boy shot and killed by three Somali gangsters

Hopeton Bennett, age 17

17-year old Hopeton Bennett, his half-brother, Julian Velasquez, 21, and a woman, Christina Selmon, 20, were together in a San Diego apartment when three gang members of Somali descent, Abdifaith Said, 23, Abdulaziz Mohamed and Adbiwahab Noorein, both 21, were in the apartment and opened fire during an argument.

From the article:

Kennedy also would not discuss how the shootings appeared to have played out or disclose a possible motive, except to say that they apparently took place during an argument that broke out at a social gathering.

The three victims were visiting friends at the large residential complex on the night of the shootings.

The deadly violence may have been related to a disturbance that occurred at the same address two days earlier, police said. Neighbors reported hearing loud arguments from inside the residence on several recent occasions.

Bennett and Selmon were both killed. Velasquez suffered a wound to the face.

(memorial page)

8-year old finds guns in the road, dropped by careless owner, and takes it to school

A careless Provo, Utah gun owner went target shooting, left his two guns on the top of his car, then drove off. The guns fell off the car and into the road, where one of them was found and picked up by an 8-year old boy.

From the article:

Police Sgt. Mathew Siufanua said the owner had been targeting shooting the day before with both guns. When he returned, he was cleaning out his car, placed the firearms on the roof of the vehicle and forgot about them. As he drove down the street, they fell into the roadway near Sunset View Elementary School.

Siufanua said one of the guns — a 9mm handgun — was discovered lying in the middle of the road at 1100 West and 600 South by three children walking to the elementary school on Wednesday morning.

He said an 8-year-old boy picked up the weapon and placed it in his backpack to take to school. When the boy encountered a nearby crossing guard, the boy showed the guard the gun. Siufanua said that, luckily, the gun wasn’t loaded when the child picked it up.

The second gun — a .25-caliber automatic handgun — was discovered a short time later lying in a crosswalk at 1600 West and 600 South by a woman driving by, Siufanua said. The woman didn’t touch the gun, but called police. That gun was also unloaded, Siufanua said.

Siufanua said police swept the elementary school — which was locked down briefly — and the path the students took, but didn’t find any other guns.

Unaware that his lost guns had caused concern, the man called police to see if anyone had reported finding them, Siufanua said.

Siufanua said the firearms would be returned to the owner, who wasn’t expected to face any charges.

Do you feel the owner should get off without charges?

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

17-year old boy shot over a hat at basketball game by another 17-year old boy

17-year old Alvin Upchurch and 17-year old Terrance Wilkins were in a group that had just left a basketball game, on the grounds of Central High School, in Memphis, Tennessee. That's when they and their friends got into an argument with another group of teens, apparently over a hat that one of the other group was wearing.

The argument escalated. At that point, Upchurch pulled out a gun and started shooting, hitting Wilkins, possibly hitting him by mistake. Wilkins was shot in the head and was pronounced dead the next day.

From the article:

What is known is that, about 9 that night, Wilkins and a group of acquaintances -- including Upchurch -- left a basketball game between Central and Melrose High.
As the group was leaving, they got into an argument, apparently with someone in another group who was wearing the hat. Police believe that someone in the group with Upchurch and Wilkins either knocked the hat off or tried to take it.
The argument escalated, police said, leading Upchurch to pull a gun and begin firing shots. It doesn't appear, police said, that Upchurch was trying to shoot Wilkins, since they were in the same group.
Still, at least one of those shots struck Wilkins in the head in a parking lot near Linden and Bellevue, across the street from Central High.
Wilkins was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, and was pronounced dead the next day, a Saturday. However, he wasn't officially taken off life support until Sunday, police have said.
....
Upchurch was also wanted in connection with an aggravated robbery that occurred Dec. 2 near Walker and College. Two men, armed with a gun, robbed a victim of his wallet and phone in that incident.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Teen boy shot in apparant gang attack by other teens

Three teen boys were together in a residential area when three other teens drove up and attacked them with a gun and bats, in what appears to be a gang-related attack. When the boys fled, one was shot and injured in the back.

From the article:

The victim and two other teenage boys were talking on Crystal River Way when a dark, American made pick-up truck pulled up next to them, Sacramento County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Gorham said.

Two suspects, one with a baseball bat, the other with a rifle, got out of the truck and approached the three teens. Gorham said the three teens tried to run from the scene, but the victim was shot in back shot.

The suspects then fled the scene of the shooting. Gorham said the victim was taken to Kaiser South Medical Center for treatment.

The motive of the shooting is unclear, but Gorham said it appears to be gang related.

The suspects are described boys in their late teens, Gorham said.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

14-year old boy shot and wounded by 16-year old and 19-year old

A 14-year old boy was shot and wounded in Columbia, South Carolina. A 16-year old is under arrest for the shooting, and a 19-year old, Tore’ Michael Dove, is currently being sought.

From the article:

The teenager was shot in the lower body area. His injuries were not life-threatening.

Investigators do not believe the shooting was random but still are seeking a motive.

A 16-year-old, whose name is not being released due to his age, has already been arrested in the case and charged with attempted murder and armed robbery.

....

Investigators are looking for Tore’ Michael Dove, 19, on charges of attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/24/2126293/police-seek-19-year-old-in-boys.html#storylink=cp
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/24/2126293/police-seek-19-year-old-in-boys.html#storylink=cpy

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

15-year old wounded in street shooting

A 15-year old boy and a 29-year old man were victims in a street shooting in South Seattle, Washington. The 15-year old was hit in the arm and abdomen, and made it to a gas station where he collapsed. He is now in the hospital and is expected to recover. The man was hit in the back. Both victims had fled the shooting scene. No other details were released.

UPDATE (2/19/12): More details have been released.  The boy was hit by a stray bullet while walking home after getting off his school bus.  The other, adult, victim, was shot while trying to diffuse a fight.  The shooter is identified as Larenzo Leslie Rhodes.

From the article:

“The defendant’s shots struck two of his intended victims, causing both the spend an extended period of time in the hospital, and placed at risk the safety of others, including the owners and occupants of three vehicles struck by the bullets and multiple families that were dining at a restaurant where another bullet landed,” Senior Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Classen told the court. “The defendant’s criminal history and actions in this case show that the defendant is an unreliable, volatile and dangerous man.”

At 5 p.m. the day of the shooting, Seattle police and medics responded to the Safeway gas station at 9262 Rainier Avenue South following reports of a shooting there.

Medics arrived to find a 15-year-old boy shot twice. One of the bullets struck him in the chest, while a second hit his right arm and shattered his elbow; he was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

The 29-year-old man was hit in the neck and taken to Harborview in a private car before medics arrived.

....
Police later learned Rhodes and the older victim had known each other for years, and in fact had grown up in the same neighborhood. According to charging documents, Rhodes and the 29-year-old are or had been members of the same street gang, though the older man told police he’s no longer very active in the gang. 

Examining the shooting scene, officers found bullet holes in the door of a nearby pho restaurant and at least three cars. Police ultimately recovered eight 9 mm cartridge casings in the area.
....

The 15-year-old had gotten off the bus in the area and was walking by when he saw the fight break out, Thomas told the court. He was shot when Rhodes was firing in retreat. Rhodes and the boy hadn’t met prior to the shooting.
 

Bullets don't know when to stop.

Boy assaulted by armed gunmen during robbery

Masked gunmen stormed a pawn shop in White Center, Washington, threatening patrons and knocking a young boy to the ground (video and article). They smashed and grabbed jewelry and money. Luckily, no one was seriously injured.

2-year old girl wounded when handling family gun

a 2-year old girl in Sawmills, North Carolina, was wounded when she got hold of her father's loaded, unlocked gun during breakfast.

From the article:

According to the girl's grandmother, while the toddler's father was making the girl breakfast, she pulled a loaded handgun off a computer table. When she sat down with it, it fired. Investigators confirmed that story.

"Pray just pray for her. And if for gods sakes you got a gun at home lock it up. Don't let this happen to your family," said family member, Norlene Wilson.

A medical helicopter from Carolinas Medical Center was sent to the scene. The wounded child and the the child's mother flew to the hospital, but it is believed the child was only grazed and not hit directly in the chest. Officials said the girl's injuries are not life-threatening, but said she will have to undergo surgery.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Three teens knock man off bike and get shot; one dead another injured

A 65-year old man was bicycling on the Thun trail near the Bertolet Fishing Dock at South First Avenue and Chestnut Street in West Reading when three teens approached him, apparently to rob him. They knocked him off the bike and assaulted him, at which point the man pulled a gun and started shooting, killing one teen and injuring another.

A 16-year old boy, Julius Johnson, was killed, a 15-year old was injured and is in the hospital, and the other 15-year old was captured within minutes by police responding to the scene. Johnson had a previous record, and the boys had apparently just jumped and robbed two other elderly men.

Given that the teens were not armed, was this an appropriate use of deadly force? Would it have turned out the same if the man had just given over his wallet?

From the article:

Someone flagged down a passer-by in the 200 block of Riverfront Drive near Reading Area Community College.

Within minutes officers from the city, West Reading, Cumru Township, state police and the Berks County sheriff's office were at the scene. They found the dead boy on a sliver of land that is part of Cumru at the end of the pedestrian bridge.

District Attorney John T. Adams responded with detectives from the county's forensic services unit.

After consulting with Adams, police decided to release the man and charge the juvenile.

17-year old boy shot at by enraged former NY prosecutor for ringing her doorbell

Nolan LeBlanc, age 17

17-year old Nolan LeBlanc apparently rang the doorbell of the wrong Long Island house after walking home from a friend's house, where he had watched a football game and drank beer.

That's when the home owner and mother of two children (ages 9 and 11), former Bronx prosecutor Bernadette Greenwald, answered the door, captured the boy, and fired her pink 9mm pistol in the air, then held the boy hostage along with her husband until police arrived. She had believed that LeBlanc had been repeatedly ringing the doorbell and running away. She then apparently lied to police about what had inspired her actions.

From the article:

“I shot that gun yesterday for the first time. I felt like I had balls,” former Bronx prosecutor Bernadette Greenwald, 47, boasted to cops not long after the childish game of “ding-dong ditch” caused her to snap.

She initially told cops that the neighborhood teen rang the bell twice, and on the third time threatened to rape her and kill her children.

But cops said the teen had nothing to do with the prank — he wasn’t charged — and the young man’s mother insisted he was walking home from a friend’s house after watching the Giants game and drinking beer.

Greenwald’s statements to cops later changed.

“It was just kid s--t,” she said, adding that she pulled the trigger only to scare the boy. 

“He thought it was a Barbie gun. I wanted to show him that it was loaded,” Greenwald told police, referring to Nolan LeBlanc, 17, a South Side HS football star who lives across the street.

She has a permit for the Taurus revolver and admitted to cops that she takes Xanax. 

“He was scared s--tless. That kid laughed because it’s a pink gun. He didn’t laugh after I fired it,” she said, according to police reports.

You wouldn't think ringing the doorbell, or even playing such a prank, would be an offense worth being shot at.

Two 17-year old boys shot, one killed, in Philly

Rashi Anderson, age 17

17-year old Rashi Anderson was walking home from work when he was shot and killed in Philadelphia. Another 17-year old boy was wounded.

(articles HERE and HERE)

From the articles:

Rashi, whom relatives remember as quiet and pensive beyond his years, was a student in the Agora Cyber Charter School program, planned to be a carpenter and would have turned 18 on Feb. 15, said his mother, Shantashi Cooper. 

A hail of gunfire on 21st Street near Medary Avenue wiped it all away Monday night as he walked home from his job at his cousin's cleaning service. 

"He was just out there at the wrong place at the wrong time, and he was supposed to come home," Cooper said through tears. 

"What world are we living in that you can't walk home from work?" asked an aunt, Jennifer Campbell-Stith. 

Rashi's death marked Philadelphia's 27th homicide of 2012

.... 

Tuesday, police said they had no information on what happened and no idea of the motive. No arrests had been made. 

Friends and relatives of Anderson's took to Twitter and Facebook on Monday night and Tuesday, posting memories of Anderson and messages such as "Rashi really knew everybody, respected and loved by many," and "Rest in peace, Rashi."

16-year old boy and a woman shot and killed by landlord in Sante Fe

In an apparent landlord-tenant dispute over rent payments, the landlord, Arthur Anaya, entered the home and opened fire, killing a 16-year old boy living there and fatally injuring an adult woman living there, and forcing the woman's 17-year old daughter at gunpoint to help him move the bodies.

From the article:

An arrest warrant for Arthur "Arturo" Anaya of Santa Fe was issued on two counts of murder after Theresa Vigil, 51, and her daughter's boyfriend, 16-year-old Austin Urban, were shot dead Monday, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. 

The two victims lived in a mobile home on Anaya's land in Santa Fe, along with Vigil's 17-year-old daughter Natalie, according to the newspaper. 

Anaya, 54, is accused of arguing with Vigil on the phone about rent she owed before walking to the mobile home armed with a handgun, the arrest warrant states. 

He then allegedly punched Vigil and her daughter in the face, before shooting Austin in the mouth. He then shot Vigil in the forehead, according to the police document. 

After the shooting, Anaya reportedly told Natalie to put the bodies of her mom and boyfriend in the trunk of her car and threatened to shoot her when she argued that they were still alive. 

Natalie eventually persuaded Anaya to let her take her mother to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her boyfriend was reportedly left at the scene, and Anaya fled. 

Anaya, who previously was convicted of numerous crimes, including assault, false imprisonment and armed robbery, is described as having graying hair and brown eyes and is around 5-foot-6. 

(additional article and video)

Anaya is currently on the run.

16-year old Michigan girl shoots and kills 21-year old boyfriend

Destiny Cougar Coulson, age 16

A 16-year old girlfriend shot and killed her 21-year old boyfriend, David Wayne "DJ" Quinn, in Eau Claire, Michigan, in the early morning hours.

From the article and news video:

Quinn's grandfather lives less than a mile away from where his grandson was shot on Shanghi Road. He tells WSBT his grandson was a good guy, but he believes his grandson's girlfriend is the problem.

Neighbors said they recently saw Quinn with a young lady outside this home but they don't know if it's the same girl that has been arrested.

....

The 16 year old is in the Berrien County Juvenile Center. She's being held on juvenile charges of 2nd degree Homicide

The article didn't suggest a motive for the shooting or where the juvenile got her gun.

UPDATE (1/27/12): The girlfriend, Destiny Cougar Coulson, shot Quinn in the face with a shotgun.

UPDATE (1/29/12): The girl's family defends her, saying they were intending to marry and that it must have been an accident.  The gun was Quinn's, which he had with him to sell to the girl's grandfather.



UPDATE (6/21/12):  Destiny has been found to be competent to stand trial, after faking symptoms of schizophrenia, and will be tried as an adult.

On Wednesday, a child psychologist testified he thought Coulson was faking symptoms of schizophrenia, and that she is competent enough to help in her defense.

Quinn's family told us they are overjoyed by the judge's decision.

"This is the verdict we wanted.  We knew she could stand trial we knew that, she's capable. And now we've got what we wanted we've got justice for our baby," said Lind Ross, Quinn's aunt.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.