Community Chat

[gertrudecloset]

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.

[Linmo]

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

[Desertdi]

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

[CalminHeart]

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

[occasionalrain]

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?

[Isobel Archer]

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.

[Cakers3]

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@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.

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@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.

[occasionalrain]

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.

[Cakers3]

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@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.

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@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.

[hckynut]

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@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 

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