9 year old Arkansas boy found dead of gunshot injury

A 9 year old Arkansas boy was squirrel hunting with his family when he disappeared into the woods with a .22 rifle. From an article:

According to the Union County Sheriff's Office, Hank Bollen, 9, was found around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning after an extended all night search. Hank's body was found about 200 yards away from his family's deer camp and authorities say he did have an unintended self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Hank went missing around 11:00 a.m. Monday while he was squirrel hunting with relatives in the heavily wooded area south of U.S. 82 in the Braswell Corner-Shuler Road area near Marysville. 

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

3-year old Arkansas boy unintentionally shot in the head and killed by relative

A man in Fontaine, Arkansas, unintentionally fired his handgun, striking a 3-year old boy in the head and killing him.

From an article:

Greene County Sheriff Dan Langston said 3-year-old Logan Carter of Fontaine died from a gunshot wound in his head. The sheriff said a relative accidentally shot Logan with a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun Saturday. 

According to the sheriff's office, the boy's family took him to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould after the shooting. The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

Langston said officials are still investigating the case to determine whether any charges should be filed.

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3-year old Arkansas boy shot and killed by a relative

A 3-year old boy was shot in the head and killed, by a relative, in Greene County, Arkansas.

From an article:

Sheriff Dan Langston confirms a three year old boy was shot in the head around noon Saturday and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Sheriff Langston said the boy was shot on County Road 336 off Highway 228 by a family member. Sheriff Langston adds that they are speaking with a prosecutor to discuss potential charges against the shooter.

From another article:

Greene County Sheriff Dan Langston said Logan Carter was shot in the head Saturday just before noon inside a home on County Road 336. He was later pronounced dead at a Paragould hospital.

Langston said Michael Carter, father of Logan, accidentally shot the boy with a .45 caliber gun purchased online about a month ago.

The boy's mother and brother were in the home when it happened.

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Arkansas man shoots 4 month old and 4 year old grandchildren

An Arkansas man, angry over a domestic dispute, has shot his 4 month old and 4 year old grandchildren, himself and one other person. From an article:

New details are emerging in a triple homicide/suicide in which a man allegedly shot and killed two of his grandchildren and his daughter's boyfriend before turning the shotgun on himself. (...) 

Witnesses said they thought Adams fired a warning shot into the air, but had actually shot Williams, who later died. 

Adams' daughter ran outside and tried to keep him from shooting inside the car, but he ran around the other side of the car and shot 4-month-old Chastyn Williams. The only motive they have so far in these two killings is that Adams didn't like Michael Williams, and had even referred to him and the infant as "being demons," Sheriff Brown says.

Adams then shot his 4-year-old granddaughter, Kierra Adams, in the back after chasing her, her grandmother and another child out of a bedroom in which they had barricaded themselves.

10 year old Arkansas boy shot by sibling

A 10 year old Arkansas boy was shot in the stomach by his sibling. From an article:

Cross County Sheriff J. R. Smith says the 10 year old was shot with a .22-caliber pistol in the stomach area at a home east of Wynne, off Hwy. 64. The child was flown to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital while his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

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

Arkansas child accidentally shoots father in back in Walmart parking lot

A child climbing into a truck grabbed hold of his father's gun while getting in and shot his father in the back. From an article:

RPD Public Information Officer Drew Latch stated police responded to 2409 E. Main St. (Walmart) at approximately 11:04 a.m. Saturday. in reference to a possible shooting. Upon arrival, officers witnessed a man who had injuries to his back. After further investigation, it was determined the man had accidentally been shot by his child. While the child was attempting to enter the vehicle, the child accidentally grabbed a hold of a loaded shotgun, that had not been secured, to help pull himself into the vehicle (truck).

While grabbing the shotgun the child accidentally pulled the trigger and caused the shotgun to discharge and strike his father in the back.

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

 

Arkansas 3 year old finds gun and shoots himself

There's been another accidental gun discharge, killing a 3 year old in Arkansas. From an article:

This morning a family is grieving the loss of a three-year-old little boy who accidentally shot and killed himself.

It happened Sunday afternoon on Kerr Station Road in Lonoke County.

Detectives say the boy was at a neighbor's house, when he followed a man into the bedroom.

As the man took out his contact lenses, investigators say the toddler grabbed a loaded gun off the nightstand and pulled the trigger.

Lt. Jim Kulsea said, "Any gun, doesn't matter if it has a safety or not, make sure it's not anywhere where a child can reach it or get to it."

Lonoke County Sheriff's detectives believe this was an accident but they're still investigating it.

After they're finished, the case will be turned over to the district attorney who will decide if any charges should be filed.

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

Arkansas children witness shooting of their grandmother

Again, two small children witnessed the shooting of their grandmother:

Police say a grandmother was shot and killed in front of her grandchildren in a random act of violence. 

"As I'm coming up to the corner all I could hear was people screaming saying 'Oh God no'," Lakeview Apartments resident Joseph Byrd said. 

According to Byrd, he saw a tragic scene unfold Monday night at the apartment complex at 509 W. Barraque in Pine Bluff. According to Pine Bluff Police, Carol Baker, 54, was shot and killed as she was picking up her grandchildren. Police said the shooting happened at 11:30 p.m.

"From what we are hearing it was wrong place wrong time. I hate that it happened like that in front of the children. That shouldn't happen to anybody really," Byrd said on Tuesday. 

Investigators said a group of men entered the apartment complex Monday night in search of  someone else. When they came up empty-handed, police said, the group opened fire. At least one bullet struck Baker in the chest. She was pronounced dead on scene. No one else was injured in the incident.

"An innocent woman got killed. She's someone's mother, grandmother, sister. It's wrong," Byrd said.

16-year old Arkansas boy shoots man to death during robbery over cell phone minutes

Shooter Thomas Joe Hunter, age 16

16-year old Thomas Joe Hunter, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, needed money to buy minutes for his phone.  So he decided to go to the home of Kenny Brown, 30, who was running a dice game, and steal Brown's money.  A struggle ensued, and Brown was shot through the head and killed by Hunter.

A judge has now ruled that Hunter is to be charged as an adult for the slaying.

From an article:

During an interview with JPD, Hunter told police he went to an apartment on West Monroe Street that night to rob Brown of money from a dice game he was playing. Hunter told police he needed the money to put minutes on his cell phone. 

The shooting took place around 9pm on July 24 in Apartment C at 1007 West Monroe Street. When police arrived at the home they found Kenny O. Brown dead at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head. 

Witnesses told police a black male fired a shot through the door of the apartment and then came into the room demanding money while pointing a gun. Witnesses say the suspect was wearing a hat and a red bandana over his face. 

People inside the apartment say Brown and his brother tried to disarm Hunter, when Brown was shot in the head. 

Witnesses told police the suspect was Hunter and they were able to find him a short while later. 

Police say evidence of a dice game and money were found at the scene, along with a black handgun just outside the apartment. 

Hunter is charged as an adult with capital murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated residential robbery. He's being held without bond, and is due back in court on November 13th.

The article doesn't say how Hunter got the gun.

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

Safety advice for avoiding accidental shootings of and by kids

This article appeared on an Arkansas television news outlet about keeping children safe from gun accidents. The story points out the alarming statistics that are evident in the daily posts on this blog about the number of children who are injured or killed every day in America by bullets. From the story:

Believe it or not, 30 children are either killed or injured every day by firearms in the United States.

Most of those incidents result from guns owned by the child's family or friends. The startling fact is that most of them are preventable. 

Each year, 20,000 children end up in the emergency room as a result of a firearm. The lucky kids survive, but many die.

"What we do see is usually a kid gets a gun out, and plays with it, and either shoots himself or another child that may be with him," Lt. Terry Hastings of the Little Rock Police Department said.

A recent study found 63% of firearm injuries involving kids were intentional: from homicides, suicide attempts or encounters with law enforcement. But the remaining 37% is what's alarming. All of them were unintentional, meaning young innocent children ended up a victim.

And then the story went on to provide examples of kid shootings in Arkansas followed by this:

But sadly, it does. Of all the accidental shootings involving kids, more than 1/3 take place in the homes of their friends, neighbors or relatives.

Sleepovers or “play days” are a big deal for most kids. They happen all the time. But when was the last time someone asked you, “Do you own a gun?” It's a question many parents never even think about asking.

Experts say it should be a top priority.

And if the answer is yes, you should follow-up with even more questions.

It might be uncomfortable asking such a personal question - but it's one you can't afford not to ask - especially considering what could happen if and when your little one comes across one of these.

The numbers are alarming. But what it boils down to is common sense and education. You must teach your kids what to do if and when they find a gun. And you must take safety precautions in your home, such a buying a safe and gun locks.

But others will argue that your best bet is to not even keep a gun in your home.

That's a decision every family will have to make.

There are places to get more information about kids and guns. The Center to Prevent Youth Violence is all about asking if there are guns where your children play or hang out. Asking a simple question could save a life.

The most important thing to remember is that every gun in the hands of a child or teen must first pass through the hands of an adult.

2nd-Grade boy brings cocked and loaded gun to school in Arkansas to play Cowboys and Indians

An 8-year old boy brought a cocked and loaded .22-caliber revolver to school with him in Little Rock, Arkansas, showing it off to a friend and apparently wanting to play "Cowboys and Indians."

From the article:

Authorities in Little Rock say a second-grader at Daisy Bates Elementary School is recommended for expulsion after bringing a cocked and loaded pistol to school to show a friend.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that the 8-year-old boy had the gun in his backpack and showed it to a friend, who alerted a teacher.

The boy, who is not being named because of his age, told a sheriff’s deputy he had hoped to play cowboys and Indians with the .22-caliber revolver.

The investigative report says the boy’s father was shaken and told deputies the pistol should have been in a locked gun cabinet.

From a related article:

"All him and his brothers have been taught... that's a dangerous thing and it's nothing to play with," said Young.

She said, "It's a situation we've all trained our kids, grand kids to be aware and it's sad that they have to be aware."

The student could face expulsion, but no criminal charges as deputies say you have to be 10-years-old to be charged with a felony in the state.  The parents could still face criminal charges.

The child told deputies he wanted to play cowboys and Indians and show his friend the gun.  He said he was sorry he brought it to class.

The boy's father told deputies the .22 revolver was supposed to be locked up and he wasn't sure how the child got his hands on the gun.

Deputies say the child has Asperger Syndrome and did not realize the severity of the offense.

Roush said, "We applaud the student for doing the right thing and telling an adult what he had seen and what he had suspected."

She said they are planning a gun safety assembly at the school and reminded parents to check backpacks before they leave the house.

Apparently training a child in gun safety wasn't enough to keep him from doing this, nor, apparently, locking it up.  And as if having a gun in the home wasn't dangerous enough, this home had a child with Asperger's Syndrome!

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

Arkansas teen found with stolen gun

A student in North Little Rock, Arkansas, was found with a stolen .38-caliber handgun at school.

From the article:

Students at North Little Rock's East Campus are back at school after a tip from a student leads police to a gun.

Thursday, officers found the .38 caliber handgun on a student. Officials were tipped off, thanks to a program on campus called "Crimestoppers."

The student who had the gun, said they found it in the parking lot and intended on throwing it in the Arkansas River.

Parents with students on campus were alerted to the gun being found through email, text and phone calls.

Police ran the serial number of the gun and it came back as stolen. The student is being charged as a juvenile.

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14-year old Arkansas boy shot by 15-year old playing with gun

A 14-year old Stuttgart, Arkansas boy was cleaning in a home with two other minors, including a 15-year old boy.  The boys found a loaded, unsecured .38-caliber Ruger handgun, which had been reported stolen.  The 15-year old was playing with it and shot the 14-year old in the buttocks.

From the article:

Stuttgart Police Department said there would be no charges filed against the 15-year-old male, who was playing with the gun. 

SPD Ptl. Jessica McSwain arrived at 911 N. College and found the minor in the front yard screaming that someone had shot him. At first the boy said that an unknown suspect shot him and ran from the scene, but it was later found that the minor, along with the shooter and one other minor where inside the home playing with a .38 Ruger. 

The victim said the three were inside the home cleaning when they came across the pistol and one of the boys started “racking” the gun. The suspect said he told him to put the gun down, but the other boy said it was empty and started to fire it. 

That is when the gun fired hitting the minor. 

The weapon was recovered and had been previously reported stolen.

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

12-year old Arkansas boy shot and killed by 14-year old

Quinshun Parks, age 12

A 12-year old boy, Quinshun Parks, was shot and killed in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, by a 14-year old boy.


From the article:

Police say the 14-year-old they believe to be responsible for the shooting has turned himself in. He has been initially charged with 1st degree battery and juvenile in possession of a handgun. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will determine if the charges need to be changed.


The weapon used in the shooting has not been recovered.

(a related article)


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

17-year old boy shot by police after pursuit

Justin Hellyer, age 17

A 17-year old Lincoln, Arkansas boy, Justin Hellyer, fled from police in a high-speed car chase after the police responded to a suspicious vehicle report.

After the boy crashed, he fled into the wood.  Officer Chris Williams continued the chase on foot.  He then found Hellyer and shot the boy in the thigh, believing the boy had a knife.  The boy denies having a knife.

From the article and news footage:

Hellyer has been charged with Felony Fleeing and Aggravated Assault. 

Hellyer was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center and treated for his wounds. Barlett says her son could be out of the hospital as soon as Thursday. From there he will be taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

....

Hellyer is expected to make a full recovery. The shot pierced his thigh, but didn’t hit any arteries or bones.

No knife has yet been recovered.  The article doesn't give a reason for why the boy fled police.

17-year old Arkansas cheerleader struck in neck by stray bullet

Neisha Forest, age 17

17-year old Neisha Forest was in her Fort Smith, Arkansas, home when she heard arguing outside her bedroom window.  She got up to look out the window and was struck in the neck by a stray bullet.  She is currently recovering.

From the article:

“The callers said there was arguing in front of this residence involving three females and at least two males when one of the subjects retrieved a gun from a vehicle and began shooting,” Sgt. Gerald Schaefer stated in an email sent to other Fort Smith police officials.
....

Forrest was upstairs in a neighboring residence when the shots were fired. Forrest told police that she was in her upstairs bedroom when she heard arguing outside. She said she walked to her bedroom window to see what was happening.

“She said when she stood up she was struck in the neck by something,” Schaefer stated in the email.

The residence where Forrest lives, along with another neighboring residence, were struck at least four times each by gunfire, according to Schaefer.

Outside the residence where the shooting began, police located at least 12 .380-caliber casings and four .25-caliber casings.

The shot that struck Forrest, a cheerleader at Northside High School,  remains lodged in her neck.

Bullets don't know when to stop.

UPDATE (2/19/12):  An update.  She will have surgery to remove the bullet from her neck on Feb. 23.

15-year old Arkansas boy shoots 16-year old sister in her sleep

Candace Harvey, age 16

A 15-year old boy, Colton Harvey, confessed to shooting and killing his 16-year old sister, Candace Harvey, in her sleep, in their Ozark, Arkansas home, with a .22-caliber rifle while their parents were out shopping.

From the article:

"The dispatcher said he didn't have any tears in his eyes, and you know, told what he had done, but he seemed remorseful," [Sheriff] Boen said. "(He) never really gave a reason why he done it -- even when the state police investigated him. He didn't know why."

Boen said a .22 caliber rifle was confiscated from the home along with other weapons. The weapon used is still in question."

According to the dad, the child, he was a avid hunter. The family had several weapons in the home, and the boy has his own weapons, as well, so as far as whether the weapon belonged to the juvenile or the dad, we're not sure of that."

Authorites said the parents were out of town shopping in Fort Smith.

Shooter Colton Harvey, age 15

One might question whether a 15-year old is responsible enough to own guns of his own, even if a hunter.

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

Update (1/17/12): From a follow-up article:

Students said they learned of the news on social media sites like Facebook. "I'm just shocked. It makes me realize it could happen to anybody. You would never think it would happen to them -- they were nice people," Buck said.

Update (1/26/12): Another follow-up article.

UPDATE (6/8/12):  Colton has been sentenced to 45 years.  From the article:

Colton Harvey, 15, grabbed his father's .22-caliber rifle one January morning while his parents were out grocery shopping. He walked into his 16-year-old sister Candace's room, pointed it at her forehead and fired. She awoke with a scream, so he shot her in the head twice more.

He threw some clothes and ammunition in his father's pickup truck and took off, driving first into the hills but then to the sheriff's office, where he chickened out in the parking lot. He drove to a friend's for some chewing tobacco — a vice that led to his parents grounding him days earlier — and then back to the sheriff's, where this time he found the courage to go in and confess.

"I don't know why I did it. It just happened," Harvey told state police investigator Corey Mendenhall hours later, according to a transcript of the interview in which he described in detail what happened that morning.

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10-year old shot in stomach by juvenile brother cleaning shotgun

A juvenile boy in Arkadelphia, Arkansas was cleaning his 20-guage shotgun when the weapon fired, shooting through a door.  On the other side, about to enter, was a 10-year old, who was shot in the stomach.  The shooter was the child's brother.  It appears the victim will survive.