13-year-old boy charged in shooting death of 10-year-old
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10-year-old boy killed in Campbell County shooting...
The Campbell County Sheriff's Office says a 13-year-old neighbor faces charges
Published: February 3, 2009
Updated: February 4, 2009
11:45 p.m.
A hunting trip for two boys with a day off from school ended with one dead on Tuesday and another facing an involuntary manslaughter charge.
A 13-year-old Brookneal boy was taken into custody after deputies said the rifle he carried along Gilliam Road discharged and fatally shot his 10-year-old companion before noon.
The name of the victim has not been released pending the notification of his family, said Capt. L.T. Guthrie of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. The name of the teenager charged is also not being released because of his age.
Investigators cordoned off Gilliam Road while they collected evidence from the blood-soaked pavement where the boy had been shot with a hunting rifle.
The two boys were out by themselves on a day when schools were closed due to snow, Guthrie said.
“They had been hunting earlier and were on their way back from hunting when it took place,” Guthrie said.
The boys may have been engaged in “horseplay” when the gun went off, he said.
“It came from the inappropriate handling of a firearm,” Guthrie said. “The number one cardinal rule is to treat every gun as if it is loaded. That wasn’t followed.
“It was not an accident. The gun didn’t fall and go off. The gun was held by a person and the trigger was pulled.”
Guthrie said the teenager did not intend to shoot the boy.
The 911 call came shortly after noon Tuesday when the teenager called to report the shooting. The 10-year-old was killed with a single gunshot, Guthrie said. He declined to release where the boy was shot.
Guthrie said the two boys were acquaintances and neighbors and there was no animosity between them.
The boys were out without an adult’s supervision when the shooting happened, he said.
The teenager had taken a hunter’s safety education course, Guthrie said.
The 10-year-old’s family had just moved into the area and Guthrie said he isn’t sure if they had even had a chance to enroll the boy in school. The 13-year-old was in middle school at William Campbell.
“This is just tragic,” he said.
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Update 8:30 p.m.
By Candice Nelson, in the field
WSLS Reporter
When Campbell County deputies arrived at Gilliam Road after noon on Tuesday, they found a 10-year-old boy laying in the middle of the road – shot.
“We have taken a 13-year old into custody in the shooting. The 10-year-old is deceased,” said Captain L.T. Guthrie.
Guthrie said the boys were neighbors on their way back home.
“They had been hunting early this morning. And they weren’t hunting at the time of the incident but had been hunting earlier,” he said.
Guthrie tells Ten On Your Side it happened because of inappropriate handling of a hunting rifle. It happened around noon and both boys were from the Brookneal area.
For now, the boys’ names are not being released.
“It’s just tragic. I mean both families, the victim and suspect’s families, will probably never get over it,” Guthrie said.
As for the suspect, Guthrie said he has been charged. “I’m not sure what he’s been charged with. It could be several offenses.”
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4:25 p.m.
By Candice Nelson, in the field
WSLS Reporter
Captain L.T. Guthrie with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office says the 13-year-old boy taken into custody is facing charges. We’re still waiting to find out what the charges are.
Capt. Guthrie says the 13-year-old and 10-year-old are neighbors. Guthrie tells us the boys were coming back from a hunting trip, but were not hunting when the shooting happened.
Capt. Guthrie says the shooting happened due to inappropriate handling of a hunting rifle.
The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation, and conservation police with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are assisting.
———-
3:58 p.m.
A 13 year-old has been taken into custody by Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and may be facing charges in the shooting death of a 10-year old in the Brookneal area.
Authorities said the shooting involved a hunting rifle and that the two boys were returning from hunting when the shooting happened. Investigators would only say it involved the inappropriate handling of a firearm.
The 10-year-old boy died just after noon today, authorities said.
Investigators with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are investigating the shooting, said Capt. Cindy Caldwell of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.
Caldwell said the incident was called in by a juvenile who was with the victim when a gun went off. The shooting happened off Gilliam Road, which is off Sugar Hill Road in Brookneal, she said.
———
1:44 p.m.
A 10-year-old died in a shooting incident in Campbell County just after 1 p.m. today, authorities said.
Investigators with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are on their way to Brookneal to investigate the shooting, said Capt. Cindy Caldwell of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.
Caldwell said the incident was called in by another juvenile who was with the victim when a gun went off. The shooting happened off Gilliam Road, which is off Sugar Hill Road in Brookneal, she said.
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Reader Reactions
As the mother of 5 children, most full blown adults…I feel the parents are responsible for this child…no 13 year old should be in the woods without an adult…we do not allow our “children” to drive a car until 16 and usually with a long time of instruction….so, guns do not kill??? hugh???? So, is the child a killer??? NO he is not, just adults who have poor poor judgement and now a son who will never grow up to raise his own family…my heart goes out to both families BUT change some laws so the guns are put under lock and key and not in the hands of our CHILDREN
I am a family member of this 13 year old boy, and from my point of view, those who don’t know the whole situation are quick to cast judgment. We never thought this would happen in our family but it has, and it has changed this young boys life. I’m not saying he was in the right to have the gun but his actions is something he will have to deal with very emotionally. I know this teenager very well, and I know he has compassion in his heart for others. All we can do now is pray and put it in gods hands. Judge not less ye be judged.
My scouts range in age from 6 to 12yrs. We teach them safe firearm handling with BB and Pellet rifles. The rules for kids if they find a gun are “Dont touch, get out of the area, tell an adult.“ If the schools would let the NRA bring in the “Eddie the Eagle” program….these types of incidents may be avoidable. I can hand my 7yr old a gun….and he knows the rules.(under supervision, of course).
Yet another example of parents thinking that a 13 year old should be doing adult things. I have a 14 year old who will NOT touch a gun until he is an adult. Guns are for adults, not kids and a 13 year old is a kid. And even if you’re deluded enough to think that your kid is more mature than most (which he obviously wasn’t) where was the supervision? He will undoubtedly lose a few years of his life for his parent’s laziness and stupidity. He will either go to jail for manslaughter or he will have nightmares about the kid he killed. Good parenting…
I have been handeling firearms since I was 9 yrs old. We always used the “buddy system”. Never had an accident. Our parents showed us safe handleing and made us practice it. Find a instructor…and learn.
1. keep it pointed in a safe direction
2. keep finger off trigger
3. keep unloaded until ready to use
pretty simple.
It is sad that that boy has to pay for his parents stupidity!!
Being from the area and knowing the parents of the victim, I’m sad to say I’m not surprised.
what kind of parent allows their son to carry around a loaded weapon?
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