Boy's mother called 911 before Indiana school shooting
Source: Associated Press
Updated 5:44 pm CST, Friday, December 14, 2018
RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) Police say a 14-year-old Indiana boy's mother was the 911 caller who warned authorities before the teenager shot his way into a middle school and exchanged gunfire with officers.
State Police said Friday that the mother warned of "imminent danger" before Thursday morning's shooting at Dennis Intermediate School in Richmond.
Her tip meant the school was on lockdown when the boy shot out glass in a locked door, entered the school and exchanged shots inside with pursuing police officers before apparently killing himself.
. . .
Richmond Police Chief Jim Branum tells the Palladium-Item the boy was carrying a pistol and a rifle when he entered the school about 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of Indianapolis. No one else was injured in the shooting.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Boy-s-mother-called-911-before-Indiana-school-13467844.php
UpInArms
(51,291 posts)😰
thesquanderer
(12,001 posts)also knowing that, in helping others, you've probably increased the odds that your son won't survive.
TomCADem
(17,390 posts)This is the question that always comes to mind when a kid goes on a shooting. How did they get access to the guns in the first place?
Of course, the Right will complain about his access to Call of Duty, but what about the guns themselves?
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)Almost every one of my friends had guns in the house in the south in the 70s. As did my house.
But they were all either 3 shot shotguns used for hunting, deer rifles or in some cases(not my home) revolvers holding 6 bullets.
SergeStorms
(19,205 posts)what was going on that gave her the "intuition" to call the police? Had he threatened her at home? Did she see him get the guns and ammo? I also wonder what induces such rage in a 14 year old boy that he wants to enter a middle school and shoot multiple students/teachers?
I just don't understand what goes on in the minds of these children that they see bloodshed as the only answer to a situation.
Scruffy1
(3,257 posts)At that age boys are very fragile emotionally. To me it's mostly about hormones. They are often hyperactive and are quite concerned with peer acceptance. What really stands out in this article to me is that he had access to a rifle and pistol. These things should always be locked up, especially if children are present. A 14 year is still a child making the transition to maturity. I also raised some boys.
Sancho
(9,072 posts)People Control, Not Gun Control
This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)At this point, I see the "2nd Amendment" as ancient history. A quaint relic of the past, but hardly realistic.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Chemisse
(30,824 posts)But it was likely to happen either way. And this way no innocent kids were killed.
Hopefully this poor mother can see it this way and not be stricken with guilt.
demigoddess
(6,645 posts)can be dangerous. Guns are dangerous from the start. Insurance should be required in case you are playing with your gun and it goes off and travels a mile or so and kills someone.