MONROEVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- A 7-year-old boy fatally shot
a 5-year-old neighbor by firing an air gun at point-blank, but no
charges are expected against him, authorities said.
Sacorya Johnson was shot just above the left eye just after she
came home from school last Thursday, police Capt. C.H. Steen
said. Police were not sure if the pump air rifle was loaded with
pellets or BB shot, but a projectile entered the girl's skull.
Sacorya was taken to Monroe County Hospital, then flown by
helicopter to the University of South Alabama Women's and
Children's Hospital in Mobile, where she died Saturday.
Investigators said the gun had been hidden from the boy after
he was seen playing with it. He found it Thursday, authorities
said.
Representatives of the county's Child Death Review Board will
hear evidence about the case, and investigators were trying to
determine who, if anyone, could be held responsible, District
Attorney Tommy Chapman said. But because the courts have
ruled that a 7-year-old is too young to form intent to murder,
charges against the boy are unlikely, Chapman said Tuesday.
''Accidents happen,'' Chapman said. ''They have been for
years, and they are not going to stop accidental shootings with
any legislation.''
Neighborhood parents said they were watching children more
closely than before.
''She was a happy little girl,'' said Effie Graham, who lives
across the street from where the girl was shot. ''She was so
young -- that's what makes it so sad.''
AP-NY-03-15-00 1241EST<
a 5-year-old neighbor by firing an air gun at point-blank, but no
charges are expected against him, authorities said.
Sacorya Johnson was shot just above the left eye just after she
came home from school last Thursday, police Capt. C.H. Steen
said. Police were not sure if the pump air rifle was loaded with
pellets or BB shot, but a projectile entered the girl's skull.
Sacorya was taken to Monroe County Hospital, then flown by
helicopter to the University of South Alabama Women's and
Children's Hospital in Mobile, where she died Saturday.
Investigators said the gun had been hidden from the boy after
he was seen playing with it. He found it Thursday, authorities
said.
Representatives of the county's Child Death Review Board will
hear evidence about the case, and investigators were trying to
determine who, if anyone, could be held responsible, District
Attorney Tommy Chapman said. But because the courts have
ruled that a 7-year-old is too young to form intent to murder,
charges against the boy are unlikely, Chapman said Tuesday.
''Accidents happen,'' Chapman said. ''They have been for
years, and they are not going to stop accidental shootings with
any legislation.''
Neighborhood parents said they were watching children more
closely than before.
''She was a happy little girl,'' said Effie Graham, who lives
across the street from where the girl was shot. ''She was so
young -- that's what makes it so sad.''
AP-NY-03-15-00 1241EST<
And show some compassion.
The news (at least on the channels I have watched) has been focusing on the fact that everyone needs to have better gun safety skills, instead of creating making more laws.