Police: Boy, 10, accidentally shot in face with shotgun

[jpak]

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20110617/NEWS01/106170303/Police-Boy-10-accidentally-shot-face-shotgun

BOY SHOT: A 10-year-old Albion-area boy was shot in the face in what Calhoun County Sheriff Department deputies said was an accident Wednesday evening. Sgt. Dan Latta said deputies were called to Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall at 7:27 p.m. where the boy was being treated for injuries from a shotgun blast. Latta said the boy was helping his father clean the garage at their home in the 13000 block of 27-Mile Road in Sheridan Township and the boy was removing some items from the loft. Deputies said the boy saw the .410 gauge shotgun, which was loaded with 000 buckshot, and began to move some items near it which depressed the trigger and the gun fired. The boy suffered injuries to his arm, chin and left side of his face, deputies said. After assessment at Oaklawn Hospital the boy was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo with injuries which are non-life threatening, Latta said. As part of the investigation deputies said they found marijuana plants growing on the property and a warrant is being sought for the boy's father.

<more>

[baldguy]

1. Too many guns; too many stupid gun owners.

The warrant is for the pot, I'm sure. They should also issue one for depraved indifference to human life - attempted murder 2nd degree.

[gejohnston]

3. say what?

depraved indifference to human life - attempted murder 2nd degree.

I would hate to be the ADA that would have to try that. There is no jury on the planet that would convict that assuming the judge does not laugh it out first.

[baldguy]

4. Leaving a loaded gun lying around where ANYONE could set it off?

Keeping control of your weapon AT ALL TIMES and MAKING SURE IT'S SAFE WHEN NOT IN USE is a fundamental part of being a responsible gun owner.

Or do you think gun owners shouldn't be responsible? You must think the guy in the OP is a model citizen.

[bluerum]

6. Agreed. Must be "under immediate control" or else it needs to be locked.

[gejohnston]

9. I agree in principle, just that I doubt those specific charges would

stick. Negligent manslaughter maybe. That said a jury would want to know:
who put the gun there
how long was it there
Have you ever bought a house where people leave stuff behind? Given the guns location, that thought occurred to me. It did not say who owned it.
Yes all gun owner should be responsible. If he has a pot farm going, no. I think everyone should be responsible for any action even if indirect. For example, pompous asses like Bill Maher (OK his jokes are funny, but his opinions as a talking head are bullshit) always talking about his bong while blaming us for the city gang wars by screaming for gun control. What the dumb ass does not get is that his money puts the gun in their hands.

[ileus]

2. drugs and guns....who'd ah thunk it.

[aikoaiko]

5. Leaving loaded shotgun laying around is bad idea whether you grow weed or not.

Glad to hear the 10 year old survived.

[petronius]

8. +1. Inexcusable negligence, and I hope the boy heals comfortably

Not really sure what else there is to take away from this, except that's it's more evidence in support of some basic firearms safety instruction in school...

[valerief]

7. Thank goodness guns are soooo readily available. A gun for every mood! nt

[rl6214]

10. Another victim of the war on drugs?

Is that your point, don't do drugs.

I agree with you 100%