Boy hit in Arizona target-shooting accident dies

[Suburban Warrior]

(Reuters) - A 9-year-old boy who was shot in the neck by a bullet ricochet while target shooting in the Arizona desert died on Thursday of his wounds, authorities said.

The boy had been airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital after being hit a ricocheted handgun round early on Wednesday in the accident west of Phoenix, sheriff's deputies said.

"At this time, no charges have been filed pending the outcome of the investigation," Hegstrom said in a statement, adding no other information was currently available.

Authorities say the boy was target shooting with a group that included two adults and his sister at about 5 a.m. local time, and that it not immediately clear who fired the shot that injured him. The group had several handguns and a shotgun with them, sheriff's deputies said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/03/us-usa-arizona-shooting-idUSKBN0F82AI20140703

[NutmegYankee]

1. Ricochet.

The bullet probably bounced off a rock, which is why it is best to always have a soft earthen backstop.

[catbyte]

2. Who target shoots at 5 am?

[uppityperson]

3. Early risers.

[catbyte]

4. It's not even light enough yet, especially with kids.

[Jenoch]

7. I would guess that the 5am time mentioned

in the story is approximate. Who target shoots that early? People in Arizone who don't wish to taeget shoot in the searing sun in the 108° heat of the afternoon.

Of course these peple should have been more careful in their target shooting.

[Art_from_Ark]

12. Arizona is not on Daylight Savings Time

So summer mornings get bright at an earlier clock time there.

[NutmegYankee]

5. Apparently people who live in the middle of nowhere.

Doing so back East would just piss people off to no end.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

11. Due to the daytime heat.

It gets real hot here. That is why many people would rather get up way early or stay up a little late to get stuff done or go do things.

[The Straight Story]

6. Sad, though not the only one to die in an accident:

9-year-old boy killed in a car-train collision
PULASKI COUNTY (KATV) - A 9-year-old child is dead after the car he was in was struck by a moving train. Corey May, 38, and his three children were in a Chrysler 300 traveling on Highway 365 near Harper Road this morning.
http://www.katv.com/story/25938347/9-year-old-boy-killed-in-a-car-train-collision

7-year-old boy riding horse hit and killed by car
HOUSTON -

A 7-year-old boy has died from injuries sustained when a car hit him while he was riding a pony in northwest Harris County.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/7yearold-boy-riding-horse-hit-and-killed-by-car/26600714

Always sad when a child dies. Hopefully our friends on the right won't try to use their deaths for political gain.

[nomorenomore08]

9. What I don't get is, other (developed) countries have guns. Some even in similar numbers per capita.

Yet none of these countries seem to have anywhere near the problem with gun homicide or accidental shootings that we do.

[Art_from_Ark]

13. Other developed countries tend to have strict restrictions on gun ownership

Japan, for example, prohibits nearly all firearms except hunting rifles. If you're caught walking around with a gun in Japan outside of designated hunting zones, get ready to spend some time in jail, since it will be assumed that your intention is to commit a crime.

[nomorenomore08]

14. And even under those more restrictive conditions, people still own guns.

Which is one reason why gun nut hysteria over "prohibition" is way overblown.

[NutmegYankee]

16. It is extremely limited and expensive.

It is a fact that the wealthy elite in US cities prior to 2010 always had the option to own a firearm while the average citizen was denied that opportunity. Many gun owners naturally fear that some restrictions are tailored to make gun ownership a perk of the wealthy and powerful at the expense of regular people. With our economy moving rapidly into a second Gilded Age, I share that concern.

[CreekDog]

10. Your reaction to the story shows how much you care about the gun

Last edited Sat Jul 5, 2014, 05:03 AM - Edit history (1)

[gratuitous]

15. Oddly enough

The story hardly even mentions the guns, and doesn't identify the gun that fired the lethal ricochet. Is the gun all right? Is it feeling remorseful or suicidal? Will it ever shoot again? Perhaps it can be moved to a foster home where it will come to terms with what happened, and once again rejoin the shooting sports.

Godspeed, little gun!

[Katashi_itto]

17. The gun wasn't hurt was it?

[Drew Richards]

8. Sunrise...first light was 5:24am in az desert...they were target shooting before there was even real

Light? I don't believe it. Sounds kinda suspicious or maybe just another poor parenting skills decision.

No one with half a brain trys to target shoot in false light...

[Liberal_in_LA]

18. sad

[etherealtruth]

19. Horrible

For God's sake if you must engage in gun activities (my anti-gun opinion has been posted over and over) ... please do everything necessary (and then some) to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

A nine year old child is dead ... I cannot imagine "it" was worth it.

This is so horrible, my heart breaks for those that loved this child

[aikoaiko]

20. A sad and rare accident. Ricochets sometimes happen.

Ricochets happen especially with dirt berms because of the occasional rock. Ive shot at some dirt berm ranges in AZ and noticed ricochets. The energy of the moving bullet usually dissipates greatly after a ricochet.

And it can be fairly bright out even 20 min before sunrise which was 5:24 am today.