Dad shoots computer

[proud2BlibKansan]

Dad shoots at computer, saying son spends too much time playing games

Dunedin, Florida - A Dunedin dad probably made his point about his son spending too much time on the computer. Pinellas Sheriff's deputies say he shot at the monitor as his son sat near-by. Forty-four-year-old Joseph Langenderfer was arrested Monday afternoon at his home on Frances Street.

His 22-year-old son Tim called 911, saying he and his dad were arguing and his dad had just shot at him.

The older Langenderfer reportedly told deputies he was mad that his son had not done the laundry and was spending all his time playing games on their computer. He told deputies that although he told his son he was going to shoot the computer, the gun accidentally fired.

The bullet hit the wall about three feet from where the son was sitting.

Langenderfer is in the Pinellas County jail charged with one count of attempted murder, (accused of trying to kill his son, not the computer.)

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=29560

[Orrex]

1. Guns don't kill computers. People with guns kill computers.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. I knew someone would say that.

LOL

[Orrex]

18. But did you know that the person who said it would be so damned charming?

nyuk nyuk nyuk

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Well of course not

:eyes:

[Buddyblazon]

32. Guns don't kill people...

people with mustaches kill people.

[bryant69]

2. What a well adjusted person

I mean with the return of the Daleks just a few weeks ago (on America Television), you can't be too careful.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[demnan]

3. I think it's time for Tim to find his own place

I sure as hell would!

[BuyingThyme]

5. Great, blame Tim.

It's always Tim's fault.

[JuniperLea]

6. He probably can't afford it

What with all the time he spends on the computer;)

[seabeyond]

61. yes he should n/t

[rockymountaindem]

4. Is it really attempted murder if he explicitly aimed for the monitor?

This is a serious question. What's the law say about this?

[slackmaster]

8. Not sure about FL but in CA you have to prove intent

From the information presented here, that would be extremely challenging for the prosection.

[benEzra]

44. Could get him for reckless endangerment, though (n/t)

[mcscajun]

16. The father says he was aiming at the monitor

the son said otherwise on the 911 call.

His 22-year-old son Tim called 911, saying he and his dad were arguing and his dad had just shot at him.

The trial will determine...

[Richard Steele]

22. That's HIS story. The son says dad was aiming at him.

And I'm guessing the real truth lies somewhere inbetween.

It's clear enough that this is not the most rational, well-reasoned
family unit that ever came down the pike,
so I wouldn't automatically believe any self-serving statement
from EITHER side of this case, knowhutImean?

[slackmaster]

24. If I was a police officer I'd probably agree

Truth is somewhere in between.

[KansDem]

34. Maybe the dad was aiming at the computer's screensaver

which was a picture of the son. Maybe that's what the son meant when he said "he's aiming at me" (He's aiming at {a picture of} me)

Just maybe....

[MazeRat7]

45. Either way, he's a pretty bad shot since he didn't hit either one.

[Richard Steele]

59. Do you get the impression that ALCOHOL may have been involved? lol! nm

[northofdenali]

71. No doubt - especially from that close.

Idiots. Both of 'em.

[etherealtruth]

60. "not the most rational, well-reasoned family unit ... "

Yeah, I knowwhutUmean.

[SmokingJacket]

26. One should be allowed to shoot one's own computer.

I certainly have been tempted....

[slackmaster]

33. It is generally legal to do so, but not within city limits

I believe it is also illegal in Florida to shoot at an occupied dwelling (even if you are inside of the dwelling).

[Neil Lisst]

7. What a jackass! If you can't deal with your 22 year old son better than

that ...

People who pull guns need ass whippings.

[slackmaster]

10. I have to wonder what a 22-YO is doing living at his parents' house

I got out at 17. Most young people I know are eager to get out on their own.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. I have a 27 yr old still at home

he can't afford to move out. Nowadays, it is a LOT more expensive than it was when I was young.

[northzax]

17. I know a lot of people living at home at that age

I did it for a summer myself right after college. Have you seen what people pay in rent these days?

[slackmaster]

28. You may be right - BTW parents don't own the house

I looked up all public records for property owners on Frances St. in Dunedin, FL.

There are only seven homes, and none of them have owners by that name.

Six are owner-occupied, so Timmy's parents are probably renting, from a couple who live in Clearwater.

[W_HAMILTON]

30. It's become so apparent, that they've coined a generation name for it...

...but of course, the name escapes me at the moment. Boomerang kids, maybe? It's something along those lines. I've read some articles about how 20 is really becoming the new 30, and that most kids still live with their parents well into their 20's. I think the reason given was that young people today are more happiness-driven rather than career-driven, so they are more apt to put off "adult responsibilities" until later on in life.

Granted, maybe I care more about that article because it hits home with me, seeing as how I just turned 26 and still live at home with my mom :) I guess it's nice knowing that I'm not the only "kid" who is well into his 20's and hasn't quite flown away from the nest yet :)

[Jose Diablo]

39. Yes, it was awful

My father gave me the boot, he said I would have to make my own way in the world. Of course, my mother helped me out as long as she could, but my father was insistent and would not let me back into the house.

I was only 42 when he unceremoniously showed me the door. Fathers should be more understanding of just how rough things are economically for the youth. It takes a little time to become self-supporting and able to afford to live independently. I think my father could have been more understanding of how difficult it was for me, economically.

Edit to add: I think what triggered the whole deal was when I bought the 'vette, for cash. Rather than paying my father some of my back due rent. I tried to explain that I needed the 'vette to gain the trust of a woman, that I was financially responsible, and very eligible to be a husband. How else could my father become a grandfather. The 'vette was an investment in our future, both my father's and mine. But the explaination fell on deaf ears.

[Neil Lisst]

27. actually, that's not that unusual any more

[dysfunctional press]

52. times, and the cost-of-living have changed.

there aren't too many jobs that a 17-year old can do that will allow them to support themselves. especially not in the comfort level that they've enjoyed and is still available to them at home.

[high density]

53. I'm 24 and I'm finally in the process of moving out of my parents' house

In the Bush economy I had a very difficult time finding work that pays something above poverty level even with a college degree. So since graduation a few years ago, I could have lived in a little dumpy apartment, paycheck to paycheck, or I could live with my parents in a nice house with the opportunity to save a lot of money for the future. I chose to live with my parents since the option was available and it seemed to have been the better of the two. The optimal solution obviously would have been a decent job right out of college but those aren't always there anymore. My career is finally starting, three years late, but now I should be set until I have TOO much experience and cost too much to employ. :)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

58. I moved back home to save money. I'm 24.

I live in a very expensive area. I don't have money to move to a cheaper area. In my last apartment, my landlord raised my rent to $1100 for a small 1-bedroom in an old house, so I moved out. They barely even put the heat on. They told me to wear sweaters. I hate living home, but it's not feasable right now. Also, currently I'm unemployed. I was a personal assistant and the person I was assisting moved to Mississipi. I chose to not follow her there.

[BlueStorm]

67. I am 26 years olds and on disablility...

I am living with my father. I am waiting to get a subsidized apartment but with the economy and everything being the way it is, it's going to be a long time beofre I get it.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

73. Doesn't work that way in the new NeoCon economy.

[Clark2008]

51. 22 year olds who still live at home and who aren't in school

need ass whoopin's.

I was out a 22 - when I graduated. Lived by Mom's rules, too.

However, despite being nearly broke on several occasions with a child to feed and the ex hubby not producing any dough - I STILL didn't go back home, even though Mom is my daycare.

I believe the dad, here.

Damn, I'm getting old.

[WI_DEM]

9. He should have just took a bat to it

Maybe it's time for that 22 year old son to move out.

[MissB]

11. Why am I laughing so hard?

And why are banjos playing in the background?

[slackmaster]

35. Probably because nobody was injured or killed

It could have turned out to be tragic instead of comical.

[Nite Owl]

13. And I guess the games

were teaching his son to be violent!!

[Finder]

23. LOL, good one. n/t

[sui generis]

15. I was in a murder-suicide pact with my TRS-80

Alas, I found I couldn't jump after I pitched poor Trash out the window. Instead I sat on the ledge and gently pitched those big-ass 8" disks out the window after it in loving memory. Alas poor Pong I'll miss ye. Ciao beloved Basic disk. Bye Bye Symphony spreadsheet with 512 rows, may we never meet agayne.

I was young and hell I would do it again. Bastard ate my firstborn. You would kill it too. Melted the disk to slag right in the reader. It would have been on the bestseller list. And nobody can prove otherwise! I would be retired right now. Oh the drama! Where are my pills!

[Clark2008]

54. "Slag right in the reader..."

Bahahahahahahhahahahaha!!! :rofl:

I haven't heard that in, fuck, years!

:rof:

Thanks for the laugh, sui!

[karlrschneider]

69. Well, hell, you have a great starting point for another saga!

Write about the computer that ate your homework! :D

[gatorboy]

19. Maybe the poor thing skeered the big NRA man

I think daddio probably clicked on one of those site where you're watching some quiet scene and suddenly some screaming vampire jumps out on the screen. He was fighting for his life!

[northzax]

20. Florida again

Why don't we just give the place back to Spain already?

[Selatius]

36. Bigger question is would Spain want Florida?

Floridians, like many Americans, have been conditioned by the corporate news media. The Spanish elected Zapatero, a democratic socialist. Floridians elected Bush Jr. in 2004, a cold-blooded corporatist. You can do the math from there.

[northzax]

41. we'll just tell them that they have a great competitor

to Euro Disney, and they'll be all over it! plus, who lets overseas territories vote?

[warrens]

25. I may be doing the same thing

The kid not only spends all her time online, it's turning her mean. I took it away for a month and am about to do it again, but if I don't see some improvement, I might sell the fucker.

[slackmaster]

29. Don't sell your child!

:evilgrin:

[warrens]

42. Her too. Wanna twofer?

Believe me, the evening conversation about shutting off the goddam computer and getting homework done is the highlight of my day. My theory is this: Kids get used to flame wars online, but unlike adults, they fail to realize that sort of behavior is not acceptable in the real world. I'm sure I will love and adore her again in the future, but a computer-addicted 15-year-old amps up the normal "I hate the world" attitude of most mid-teens to truly incredible levels.

So, I'm REAL flexible on price...

[sandnsea]

56. lol, she's 15, it's not the computer!

If it weren't that, it would be the phone, the stereo, the tv, the record player, the radio...

She's just 15, that's all. I just set the rules, enforced them, and ignored everything that came out of her mouth. She's a wonderful 22 year old now, as most daughters grow up to be. Hang in there, she'll pull out of it between 16 & 17.

[slackmaster]

66. I'm going to quote you to my girlfriend

She has a 14-YO daughter.

I just set the rules, enforced them, and ignored everything that came out of her mouth.

I think you have found the key to success, if not happiness.

[tenshi816]

72. I've got to try that too.

I get whiplash dealing with my 14-year old son, who alternates between being the lovely, sunny-natured boy he was a couple of years ago and an angry, "the-world-sucks-I-hate-everybody" hellion. Sometimes I think his head is going to start spinning around and around with pea soup spewing from his mouth, and next thing I know he's wanting a hug and offering to help around the house. I never know who to expect, my sweet son or Damien. Love that kid, though.

[slackmaster]

74. If he ever does spin his head and spew pea soup, please post video here

:evilgrin:

[txindy]

75. Hey!

It sounds like we have the same son. Around here I call it "Mood Swings 'R' Us." Which boy will show up this minute? How about the next? And....now? One never knows. ;)

[Neil Lisst]

31. Turning off the power would have been much more effective.

flip one switch and the whole room goes dark

ya gotta know the smart play

[patdem]

43. My husband, when he wanted attention, would just pull the phone plug

from the computer downstairs, since the first connection went through it...and I would just think I was booted...did not find out till I hear him gafawing when I cursed the DAMN internet for booting me...and he fessed up! :rofl:

Edit for auto fingers

[area51]

37. Silly me.

When I saw the heading of "Dad shoots computer", I thought maybe he was a fellow programmer & couldn't get his program to work. :evilgrin:

[jsamuel]

38. all he has to do is say is he felt "threatened" by his son and he won't be

charged... right?

[slackmaster]

40. Too late for that now

He already admitted he was shooting at the computer.

[benEzra]

46. Not unless his son reasonably did present a threat, per the law (n/t)

[slackmaster]

68. St. P Times article says son admitted throwing a glass bottle

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/26/Northpinellas/War_on_computer_scree.shtml

[Horse with no Name]

47. See now here is where the Dad isn't too smart

When my daughter spent too much time on the computer, I unplugged the internet and password locked it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. Well you are smart

while this guy is not. LOL

[sandnsea]

57. I just say

do the laundry or I'm throwing it all in the garbage.

[MelliMel]

48. He could have just unplugged it and

thrown his son out. That might have been a little less....psycho.

[Swamp Rat]

49. "Computers don't kill guns, people do."

:D

[Rocknrule]

55. Finally, a case in which computer games actually caused a shooting!

[kineneb]

62. Gee, just get Dad his own computer

and everything will be fine. He sounds like a moroooon. And the whole thing sounds like one more really disfunctional family. I like my computers, and so does Hubby. We just don't share.

And if Sonny Boy is tying up the phone line, get a damned cable modem... they probably have cable TV already...

edited to add:

And this is different from having 14 TVs in the house how?

[slackmaster]

65. 24-YO "Sonny Boy" needs to get a job

That family can't afford cable modem service.

:argh:

[The Revolution]

63. What kind of psychopath

pulls a gun on their own child? And because he didn't do the laundry? It's frightening that there are people like this out there...someone could have been killed easily.

[slackmaster]

64. St. Petersburg Times says son is 24, pistol is a .22

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/26/Northpinellas/War_on_computer_scree.shtml

It also says Joseph Langenderfer is a disabled veteran, and that he left the scene in a wheelchair.

This appears to be a much better researched article. The background information about the family situation is interesting, and rather tragic.

Joseph Langenderfer then went to the kitchen.

The son followed.

"I have a lot of rage pent up, so I throw a glass bottle and it hits a wall in the kitchen," the son said.

That may give a good defense attorney a path to an extenuating circumstance, at least for dad arming himself.

[mdmc]

70. sounds like a DK lyric