topic Re: What Were They Doing with in Community Chat

What Were They Doing with

gertrudecloset — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 04:36:02 GMT

a rifle?

Police have arrested two suspects in the death of a man who was shot in the back while he was riding his tractor. One suspect is 8 years old and the other is 9 years old.

The startling incident unfolded near Westminster, South Carolina, on June 23 as Danny Andrew Smith was cutting down brush in his family's field, police say.

Smith's wife called police after not being able to find the 62-year-old. The police found him slumped over the steering wheel of his tractor after it rode down into an embankment into a tree.

A medical examiner's report later discovered that he had a gunshot wound in his back. The report said that he had died 5 or 6 hours before his body was found.

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said they had evidence that both of the boys shot in Smith's direction, but only one actually struck and killed him. Police said that they used a .22 caliber rifle.

"You know, we don't think there was any malice. We don't think that it was premeditated that the intent was to actually kill Mr. Smith," said Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw to WLTX-TV.

"But you know when you fire a firearm in the direction of another person in a reckless manner, then that is considered involuntary manslaughter," he added.

Deputies said they obtained the .22 caliber rifle, but they have not indicated how the boys got possession of it.

The boys were charged as juveniles in Family Court and released to their parents because of their young age according to South Carolina law. Their names will not be released.

Re: What Were They Doing with

Linmo — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 05:02:48 GMT

I'm sure they took it from one of their homes and were horsing around. Very tragic...

Re: What Were They Doing with

Desertdi — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 05:26:05 GMT

Sad to say......but in AZ, you get your first gun when you graduate from kindergarten..........

Re: What Were They Doing with

CalminHeart — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 12:05:23 GMT

The boys likely got it from one of their parents and they should be charged with murder too.

Re: What Were They Doing with

occasionalrain — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:13:37 GMT

The parents should lose custody and the boys put in foster care. I don't believe they weren't shooting at the man nor that they didn't intend to kill him.

Why return them to parents who have already shown themselves to be incompetent in controling their children?

Re: What Were They Doing with

Isobel Archer — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:23:17 GMT

Well since we are wildly speculating - how do we know the kids weren't in a gang and were provided the gun illegally - and that shooting someone was their initiation.

This happens - and probably more often than kids taking a gun from their home and just deciding to shoot someone on a whim.

Re: What Were They Doing with

Cakers3 — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:29:33 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
Well since we are wildly speculating - how do we know the kids weren't in a gang and were provided the gun illegally - and that shooting someone was their initiation.

This happens - and probably more often than kids taking a gun from their home and just deciding to shoot someone on a whim.

@Isobel Archer

I have to agree.

There is a jumping to the conclusion that these boys took the rifle from parents.

The article says that is it unknown right now where the rifle came from.

Deputies said they obtained the .22 caliber rifle, but they have not indicated how the boys got possession of it.

Too much speculation with unfounded facts.

I will say anyone who thinks boys (and girls) that young are never initiated into gangs-think again.

Re: What Were They Doing with

occasionalrain — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:40:53 GMT

Since a 22 rifle is used for hunting, parents are the most likely source.

Gangs don't go about with rifles slung over their shoulders.

Re: What Were They Doing with

Cakers3 — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:47:56 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
Since a 22 rifle is used for hunting, parents are the most likely source.
Gangs don't go about with rifles slung over their shoulders.

@occasionalrain The parents could be the source but that fact has not been published - yet.

While I agree with 100% responsibility resting with the parents, I am not about to have these young boys thrown into foster care and the parents in jail.

It will never set an example for the parents who have absolutely no clue about guns in the home and their children.

There has to be justice for the victim but the investigation needs to be completed before justice can be served.

What you do not know about gangs - is a lot.

Re: What Were They Doing with

hckynut — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:56:46 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
The boys likely got it from one of their parents and they should be charged with murder too.

@CalminHeart

Same questions I asked "pure & simple".

hckynut

Re: What Were They Doing with

hckynut — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:07:40 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
The parents should lose custody and the boys put in foster care. I don't believe they weren't shooting at the man nor that they didn't intend to kill him.
Why return them to parents who have already shown themselves to be incompetent incontrolingg their children?

@occasionalrain

I am fine with that if it applies to all non adult children including a different "deadly weapon". Parents that allow non legal children to drive a motor vehicle on public roads. Should they be found at fault and charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide/Careless use of a deadly weapon.

What numbers are higher, children(non adult) killing innocent people via Motor Vehicle, or killing people with a firearm? I have a feeling it's the latter.

hckynut

Re: What Were They Doing with

hckynut — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:12:32 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
Well since we are wildly speculating - how do we know the kids weren't in a gang and were provided the gun illegally - and that shooting someone was their initiation.

This happens - and probably more often than kids taking a gun from their home and just deciding to shoot someone on a whim.

@Isobel Archer

I am sure as I read upward through these post I will see responses like "that's different". If so, I am guessing those that say that are not following what is happening in many of our largest cities. It is not an anomaly, it is happening on a regular basis.

hckynut

Re: What Were They Doing with

hckynut — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:49:28 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
Since a 22 rifle is used for hunting, parents are the most likely source.
Gangs don't go about with rifles slung over their shoulders.

@occasionalrain

I don't hunt because I think the animals are at an unfair disadvantage. I do however know many friends that do hunt, and not a single one of the uses a .22 rifle. Just an FYI. There are many rifles that are made to break down and very easy to carry, and/or conceal.

hckynut

Re: What Were They Doing with

Sooner — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:28:48 GMT

We don't see the same outrage when other things kill people.

States are legalizing marijuana now. And crime rates and shootings are increasing rapidly because of that.

A drunk driver mowed down three high school kids out running in Moore, Oklahoma and the trial was last week.

Alcohol and driving kills people of all ages daily.

Parents LET their kids have access to alcohol and drugs and guns.

But anything to do with guns and it's a different story here. Wake up and smell the coffee. What is the common denominator here?

Carelessness, stupidity, and lack of concern for the welfare of others. And guess what is the common cause of all of it? Careless and thoughtless PEOPLE.

So why do we have to paint a certain thing differently than we do other "causes" of death. Any outrage to ban alcohol? I think not.

Does alcohol cause drunk driving? No. People do. So stop and give that a little thought here. It's ALL the same thing. Only some is seen differently--and there's a reason for that. Because some people do us and some have and some don't have, so what we do is different of course. And nobody likes different do they?

Re: What Were They Doing with

occasionalrain — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:25:31 GMT

@hckynut

My understanding was that a 22 rifle is the first gun teenagers get who go hunting with their parents. I may be mistaken, it wouldn't be the first time.

Re: What Were They Doing with

spiderw — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 16:04:53 GMT

All the comments were interesting for lack of a better word. Some were sensible, others questionable. I will not comment on how I feel but I am sorry for the death of the father, sorry for the boys who whether accidentally or not shot him will have to live with that for the rest of their lives, sorry for the mother who has to make sense of this tragedy. Guns in a home need to be hidden from children, that is a known fact, a sensible fact and one which for whatever reason wasn't followed in this case.

Re: What Were They Doing with

hckynut — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 16:27:20 GMT

@spiderw wrote:
All the comments were interesting for lack of a better word. Some were sensible, others questionable. I will not comment on how I feel but I am sorry for the death of the father, sorry for the boys who whether accidentally or not shot him will have to live with that for the rest of their lives, sorry for the mother who has to make sense of this tragedy. Guns in a home need to be hidden from children, that is a known fact,

"a sensible fact and one which for whatever reason wasn't followed in this case".

@spiderw

I was with you in everything you said until the sentence quoted right above this. I haven't heard this on any news broadcast yet, have you? If so "bad on the parents". But liable? No.

hckynut

Re: What Were They Doing with

occasionalrain — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 16:27:32 GMT

Those who own guns and have children, should instruct them in the workings of guns and proper use of them. No matter how careful a person is, a brief lapse can result in tragedy.

Re: What Were They Doing with

Drythe — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 22:57:58 GMT

Just another day in the neighborhood.

What can be said but, I’m sorry for the families?

Seems we are not ready to stop the madness.

Re: What Were They Doing with

agb80 — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 23:01:49 GMT

You mean no one came for their guns???