4 yr old boy shoots younger sibling over dispute Options

[mickybeans]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/m...politan/3082257


A 4-year-old boy who shot his 2-year-old brother in the head this afternoon after an argument in their southwest Houston home didn't seem to understand what he had done, police said.

"He's wondering where his brother is, and when his brother's coming back," said Sgt. Cameron Grysen of the Houston Police Department Homicide Division. ADVERTISEMENT


The 2-year-old was in critical condition tonight at Ben Taub Hospital with a single gunshot wound to his temple. The incident happened about 4:20 p.m. at a home in the 5500 block of Gatewood near South Post Oak Boulevard.

Grysen said the boys had been arguing when the 2-year-old threw a toy at his brother. While the mother thought the boys had returned to their room, they walked back to her room, where the older boy grabbed a loaded gun from his mother's purse.

"The 4-year-old was angry ... he went and got the gun, put it to his brother's head and shot the gun," Grysen said.

The bullet entered one of his temples before exiting another side of his head. The sound of the gunshot alerted the mother to the incident. The woman had told police that she had the gun -- a .32-caliber automatic -- in her possession to protect her family because of recently reported burglaries in the neighborhood.

It is not clear if the boys' father was home at the time, but police said he did go to the hospital.

The mother could face criminal charges of making a weapon available to a child, Grysen said, adding that Child Protective Services would also investigate the family.

CPS spokeswoman Estella Olguin said her agency had never been called to the home prior to Saturday. A CPS caseworker was expected to decide whether to allow the older brother to stay with his parents or place him in custody of family or CPS.

"It all depends on a lot of things, like why mom had a gun in her purse in the first place, and if the gun was registered," Olguin said.

The mother told police that Saturday was the one day that she did not keep her gun secure.

"You got to be real careful with guns around children, and you can't be too careful keeping them secured," Grysen said.

Police are not sure whether the older boy understands the difference between real and toy guns.

"We really can't say with a 4-year-old," Grysen said. "It's very mind-boggling that this happened."

Residents of the modest neighborhood of single-family homes described the children and their parents as a happy family who often take walks with neighbors.

"All parents should be concerned about weapons laying in the home," said Yulanda Jordan, a neighbor. "It makes me feel bad about kids getting into weapons."

Edward Josey, 17, a neighbor who had played with the little boys on occasion, said they were like family.

"They shouldn't be playing with guns," he said, "They're too young."


// do you think it's fair that the mom is forced to serve time for her child's actions? who do you blame in this situation? what are your thoughts and opinions on this topic?

[OriskybusinessO]

i dont think anyone should be allowed to have a gun in the first place, except goverment officials, used during work, etc. I think the mom should serve time, but theres not enough info to tell yet, if the gun was registered etc. Besides you should be more careful with guns and children. I blame the mother, the kid dint kow any better, hes only four, but think about when he gets older... how he must feel whens hes our ages knowing he (maybe) killed his brother.

[Aesirus]

i dont think anyone should be allowed to have a gun in the first place, except goverment officials, used during work, etc.

Too bad that would:
a) be illegal
b) go against everything we stand for as americans
c) cause massive amounts of crime
d) let the government do whatever it wants

Out of the three states with the lowest murder rates, two of them let you carry a concealed handgun without a permit. All three have "shall-issue" gun laws, and state governments that rule with respect for civil liberties and fiscal responsibility.

Law enforcement should have guns, and ultimately, it is up to the people to enforce laws such as the Constitution. As President Andrew Jackson said, "The Supreme Court has made its decision. Now let's see them enforce it."

Vermont has been ranked by the Morgan Quinto Press to be the safest state in the country for three years in a row. Yet they have almost no gun control laws. In fact, pretty much their only gun control law is that you can't have a firearm on school property--a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine. Even a convicted felon, once he has a served his time and probation, may freely carry a concealed firearm without a permit or government background check.

In fact, according to Vermont State Law:
Section 4008. Possession of firearms by children A child under the age of sixteen years shall not, without the consent of his parents or guardian, have in his possession or control a pistol or revolver constructed or designed for the use of gunpowder or other explosive substance with leaden ball or shot.

(i.e. a kid can have a gun with his parents consent, and seventeen year olds can have guns whenever--no questions asked).

Yet there have been exactly zero school shootings in that state's history.