Teen's shooting called accident
By Marilyn Robinson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Oct. 26, 2000 - A 15-year-old boy was accidentally shot by his older brother as the two played with a handgun at their Northglenn home shortly before midnight Tuesday, police said.
Police said Aaron Archer was shot in the chest. He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was in serious condition Wednesday.
Both the victim and his brother, 22year-old Jesse William Irving, told police the shooting was accidental.
The brothers were in a bedroom and their mother was in the living room of the family's home at 1802 E. 113th Ave. when the shooting occurred, police said.
Investigators blamed horseplay.
The two had been playing with the older brother's 9mm handgun when it was unloaded, but at some point one of them loaded the weapon, said Sgt. Eric Guenther.
Irving picked up the gun, pointed it at his brother, who was lying on a bed, and pulled the trigger. The gun went off, wounding the younger boy, Guenther said.
"He was just goofing around, pointing the gun at his brother as they had been doing," Guenther said. "Apparently they had been doing this a good part of the day with an unloaded gun - this is a game they play - but somewhere along the line it got loaded." Police confiscated the weapon and took Irving to headquarters for questioning. He was later released pending a decision on charges.
Investigators said they didn't think there was any malicious intent.
"He was being completely irresponsible in how he was handling that firearm. Guns aren't toys," said Sgt. Daryl Hollingsworth. "But we're satisfied he will cause no more harm. We have his gun." Police say they hope others will learn from the incident.
"You just don't point guns at people unless you're intending to shoot them," Guenther said. "There's no such thing as an unloaded weapon."
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post.
By Marilyn Robinson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Oct. 26, 2000 - A 15-year-old boy was accidentally shot by his older brother as the two played with a handgun at their Northglenn home shortly before midnight Tuesday, police said.
Police said Aaron Archer was shot in the chest. He was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was in serious condition Wednesday.
Both the victim and his brother, 22year-old Jesse William Irving, told police the shooting was accidental.
The brothers were in a bedroom and their mother was in the living room of the family's home at 1802 E. 113th Ave. when the shooting occurred, police said.
Investigators blamed horseplay.
The two had been playing with the older brother's 9mm handgun when it was unloaded, but at some point one of them loaded the weapon, said Sgt. Eric Guenther.
Irving picked up the gun, pointed it at his brother, who was lying on a bed, and pulled the trigger. The gun went off, wounding the younger boy, Guenther said.
"He was just goofing around, pointing the gun at his brother as they had been doing," Guenther said. "Apparently they had been doing this a good part of the day with an unloaded gun - this is a game they play - but somewhere along the line it got loaded." Police confiscated the weapon and took Irving to headquarters for questioning. He was later released pending a decision on charges.
Investigators said they didn't think there was any malicious intent.
"He was being completely irresponsible in how he was handling that firearm. Guns aren't toys," said Sgt. Daryl Hollingsworth. "But we're satisfied he will cause no more harm. We have his gun." Police say they hope others will learn from the incident.
"You just don't point guns at people unless you're intending to shoot them," Guenther said. "There's no such thing as an unloaded weapon."
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post.
Very sad story, I hope the kid makes it.