8-year-old Arizona boy charged with murder in shooting of father and another man

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-child-charged,0,5599704.story

By FELICIA FONSECA | Associated Press Writer

9:15 AM CST, November 8, 2008

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) _ It's a crime that police officers in a small eastern Arizona community can hardly fathom yet have to deal with: an 8-year-old charged in the fatal shootings of his father and another man.

"Who would think an 8-year-old kid could kill two adults?" St. Johns Police Chief Roy Melnick said Friday.

The killings on Wednesday sent shock waves through St. Johns, a community of about 4,000 people. The boy had no disciplinary record at school, and there was no indication he had any problems at home, prosecutors said.

"It was such a tragedy," said the boy's defense attorney, Benjamin Brewer. "You have two people dead; you have an 8-year-old in jail. It tugs at the heart strings. It's a shocker, no doubt about it."

[louis-t]

1. B-b-b-b-but teaching an 8-year-old about guns is

a good thing, right? Right?:sarcasm:

[flstci]

2. Absolutely.

I have taught my kids about firearms and their danger since there were very young. I don't think this has much to do with the firearm and a lot to do with some mental instability.

[ogneopasno]

9. Agreed.

[live love laugh]

19. "I don't think this has much to do with the firearm..." The GUN killed not mental instability. nt

[fascisthunter]

3. Guns are Designed to Take Away Life

unfortunately, there will always be cases like this one, due to the fact that people are allowed to own them. My question is, how the hell did this 8 year-old get his hands on a gun in the first place?

[Mojorabbit]

4. I am reserving judgement

till more details come out. Something is off with this story.

[apocalypsehow]

5. If guns are outlawed, only eight year olds will have...er, uh, never mind. n/t.

[Dr Fate]

6. But I want to know-What became of the poor, innocent gun?

It's not like the *gun* killed those people. Only people kill people. In this case, it was a guilty little 3rd grader people.

[apocalypsehow]

7. That was the first thing that ran through my mind, too: who's looking out for the poor, poor gun?

To think of the trauma it must have gone through! It's enough to make a grown man :cry:

Seriously, you're spot-on with the gun-nut attitude toward these sorts of things. It's as pathetic as it is disturbing. :thumbsup:

[ogneopasno]

8. I would not be surprised if there was some serious abuse of that child going on here.

The investigators allude to it in the article.

[flstci]

10. I wondered about that myself

How ironic if the child was simply defending himself. There are those on this very thread who would remove that option.

[Dr Fate]

11. Yes- guns are obviously the perfect solution to domestic violence as well.

I cant speak for other DUers, but I wouldn't take back my post if this was the case...

In all seriousness, I hope the kid turns out to be okay, one way or the other...

[LisaL]

12. Are you kidding me? Are you seriously arguing 8 year olds

should own guns to defend themselves? Boggles the mind.

[flstci]

13. Nope.

I didn't say 8 year olds should own guns. I said it would be ironic if this 8 year old was using this gun to defend himself.

[Iggo]

15. That's not ironic...

...but I think I get your point.

[flstci]

14. Ever read the story about the family who was killed

by the guy with a pitch fork? Here's a little snippet;

****
It has been said that if you don't study history, you are doomed to repeat it.

That's why Americans should take note of a horrible tragedy that occurred one year ago this month in Merced, California. It is a tragedy that could have been prevented.

On the morning of August 23, 2000, Jonathon David Bruce was high on drugs. He slipped inside a home when the parents were away and began attacking the children inside.

Armed only with a pitchfork, and without a stitch of clothing on his body, Bruce proceeded to chase the children through the house -- stabbing them repeatedly.

The oldest of the children, Jessica Carpenter (14), was babysitting at the time. Having been trained by her father, Jessica knew how to use a firearm. There was just one problem: the household gun was locked up in compliance with California state law.

Because of California's "lock up your safety" law, Jessica had few options. She could not call 911 because the intruder had cut the phone lines to the house. She could not protect herself, for state officials had effectively removed that possibility. Her only option was to flee the house and leave her siblings behind.

Thankfully, Mr. Bruce's murderous rampage was finally cut short when police officers arrived at the house. They shot and killed Bruce, but not before two children had already been murdered.

****

What would have been wrong with this child killing the intruder?

[azmouse]

16. If the parents hadn't left a 14 year old in charge this wouldn't have happened.

No child should ever be put in a position to need to use a gun to protect themselves... ever.

[kath]

17. 14-year-olds aren't old enough to babysit?!?!! What. The. Fuck?

so when are kids old enough to be left alone? 18? 19? 21?

Jeebus.

[azmouse]

18. Oh fuckin' chill, would ya?

It depends on how many kids were in the house and what ages they were.