4 year old shoots 6 year old, Toms River

[gunguy1960 2]

LEOs wife shot and killed by 4yr old, using LEOs private gun, how does that happen??

[pjd832 146]

That's the difference.... In the cases you guys mention the events took place AT SCHOOL....creating feelings to be associated with the place....whether it be a school/workplace etc.... But to take an event that happens somewhere totally not school related.... Then parade the team of specialists into a school...and drag it into a school so news papers can write all about how " counselors are helping the grief stricken at abc school work through another pool child victim of gun violence"... ... If a child had died in a car accident they wouldn't be dragging the situation into a school.... It's just to keep the newtown momentum going....which is as disgusting as the parents stupidity

[pjd832 146]

LEOs wife shot and killed by 4yr old, using LEOs private gun, how does that happen??

Same thing... Failure to follow law... Not to mention plain common sense

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

 

Maybe you can help me understand. I understand most all of Toms River is no firearm discharge area. I ask because I wonder why a .22 rifle would be loaded.

 

Pure stupidity on the parents is all I can come with. I keep my ammo in a separate location then my safe to make sure this would never happen

[JackDaWack 2,895]

That's the difference.... In the cases you guys mention the events took place AT SCHOOL....creating feelings to be associated with the place....whether it be a school/workplace etc.... But to take an event that happens somewhere totally not school related.... Then parade the team of specialists into a school...and drag it into a school so news papers can write all about how " counselors are helping the grief stricken at abc school work through another pool child victim of gun violence"... ... If a child had died in a car accident they wouldn't be dragging the situation into a school.... It's just to keep the newtown momentum going....which is as disgusting as the parents stupidity

 

First off, the counselors already work in the schools district and they are there 100% of the year, they come from all the schools located within the district. When a student dies in your class or is in a life threatening situation, and you have kids with emotional issues surrounding it what are you supposed to do? tell them to shut up and deal with it? This is for kids who are friends with the student, and who are in his class directly... They are there IF the kids need them, nothing more. And yes they do this all the time under all conditions dealing with the loss of life in a school whether or not it happened there really makes no difference... the kid is gone. I ask, why does it have to happen on school grounds for the school to offer student support? The association isnt with where it happened, its the fact that one of the seats in the class room is empty and the student may never come back... and is DEAD. tell a class of 6yr olds that the kid is dead and see how that goes.

 

The quality of counseling will depend on the quality of the person, they are all certified psychologist, just like one you would pay out of school. Some suck and some are great. This service is, however, always present in a school, this is a public announcement to the students/parents/families. If any kid, has any problem, on any day, they can ask to see a counselor. You can talk to your kid yourself if you want, they don't have to see these people, you can be present when it takes place as a parent.

[Shawnmoore81 623]

We had em at my hs when a kid died in a car accident

[silverado427 10,720]

Video link. http://www.app.com/videonetwork/2288995598001/Toms-River-Boy-s-Shooting-Details-Released

[Steve_G 51]

Channel 12 is reporting that the child has died.

[pjd832 146]

i must just be too old...we had guidance counselors...and a nurse....but no "psycologists/grief counselors"...over my school years..we had all kinds of deaths...kid hung himself...several gun suicides...car accidents..jumpers...both teachers and students....the one that hung himself did in it the gymnasium...they did announced that if anyone would like to talk to someone they could provide contact info....its great that they offer it i guess...just not for me or mine...given the current climate its not realistic to think this wont be used

[pjd832 146]

Channel 12 is reporting that the child has died.

that terrible prayers for him to find peace along with his family

[mrg455 6]

This poor child passed away. Senseless, senseless,senseless. This should NEVER have happened.

[mattio41 0]

Yes, that is true.

 

Now here is where I am confused. When I look up New Jersey law, this is what i find:

 

 

 

2C:58-15. Minor's access to a loaded firearm; penalty, conditions

 

 

NJSA 2C:58-15

 

• 
  a. A person who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access to a loaded firearm at a premises under the person's control commits a disorderly persons offense if a minor gains access to the firearm, unless the person:
  (1) Stores the firearm in a securely locked box or container;
  (2) Stores the firearm in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or
  (3) Secures the firearm with a trigger lock.
  b. This section shall not apply:
  (1) To activities authorized by section 14 of P.L.1979, c.179, (C.2C:58-6.1), concerning the lawful use of a firearm by a minor; or
  (2) Under circumstances where a minor obtained a firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person.
  c. As used in this act, "minor" means a person under the age of 16.
  L.1991,c.397,s.1.
  

Now I had read that the Child Access law was also summarized as:

"Child Access law" which states. "New Jersey law makes it a crime to store or leave a loaded firearm within the reach or easy access of a child. if the child gains access to the gun, the penalty is a misdemeanor, unless someone is injured, then the penalty is a felony. a child is defined as anyone under the age of 16."

 

 

So, is this a Felony offense or just a misdemeanor that this child gained access??? I have signed papers at Dicks when i bought a rifle there acknowledging the law. But would like more clarification as to what the penalties are now.

[JrzyGuy30 0]

Lock the owner up.

R.i.p. to the young soul :-(

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

Rest on peace. So sad.

[Sonnylee 20]

So sad! Something very easily avoidable...RIP little child!!

[2 trip_nick 0]

Not only was this gun easily accessible, it was loaded and cocked with the safety off (I gotta believe that a four year old playing army would only pull the trigger and couldn't make it fire ready). Maybe someone with a 10/22 miscounted at the range and thought the gun was empty?

[Albanian 121]

Any child under six can honestly not be trust with a weapon. No matter what, accidents can happen especially at those ages. Insane how they left a loaded firearm within reach of a four year old.... wow.

 

As for school counselors, they are often out of touch with the kids... seeing them as "work" and not humans.

[CAPTAIN 0]

Makes me sick, so so so so so tragic. I have a 13 month old, and although I have every firearm locked up and unloaded, I'm seriously considering seperating weapons from ammo.

 

This is gut wrenching as a father, just brutal, absolutly tragic.

 

I watched a video on app.com and it was said by the Toms River Chief of police that they believe the kid got the rifle from inside the house and shot the 6 year old from a distance of 15 yards!!! That's a pretty long shot for a 4 year old, can't even imagine him holding a rifle let alone pull the trigger. Whatever rifle it may be, it's still gotta be pretty heavy for a 4 year old to hold in the firing position.

 

What the f$#K do you have a damn .22 loaded for anyway?!?! In case a squirrel breaks into your home? Plain stupidity.

 

Also read somewhere on APP.com that the 4 year old has 'many family members in Ocean county law enforcment' and that the child's grandfather is a retired Jackson PD officer. If that's true, then WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY did this happen?

[johnott 5]

Very sad turn of events. It was 100% preventable. Prayers to all involved.

[Cold Steel 0]

Very sad. What kind of A$$hole leaves a loaded gun around the house in arms reach of a 4 year old.

[TK421 2]

My neighbor stopped by last night, he knows the father of the six year old. Apparently the father of the four year old works for the Ocean County Prosecutors office. He told me the Atlantic County Prosecutors office has been asked to investigate the incident. I don't know this as fact, just what he told me. Such a sin, I have (as of Saturday) a six and a seven year old, I can't even begin to think about what the six year old kid's family is going through. So sad.

[silverado427 10,720]

Somebody in the four year olds family should be going to jail. No bs excuses !!!! I don't care where you work or who you know...

[matty 810]

I'd heard something along those lines as well. The parent may be known personally to the Chief and/or prosecutor. The whole thing is terrible, and was completely avoidable. A reminder those who have small children to lock your stuff up, all the time, under multiple layers of security if possible. Educate the kids, although a 4 y/o just won't be able to understand in most cases. Mine does not. My 5 & 7 y/os know that if they see a firearm or ammo with no one around to leave it alone and call and adult. But who knows what they really might do. A dog is my first line of defense, if and when I need a firearm, I have to unlock some things.

The DA in Texas that was killed supposedly had numerous guns stashed around his house, but had collected them up and stored them, because of a family Easter gathering. Presumably children were around for that. The SO in TN(?) whose wife was shot by another small child, also very much avoidable. You cannot follow them 24/7 but tots from 1-5 years old, especially boys, have a bad habit of getting into trouble when left unsupervised, even for a few minutes.

 

My neighbor stopped by last night, he knows the father of the six year old. Apparently the father of the four year old works for the Ocean County Prosecutors office. He told me the Atlantic County Prosecutors office has been asked to investigate the incident. I don't know this as fact, just what he told me. Such a sin, I have (as of Saturday) a six and a seven year old, I can't even begin to think about what the six year old kid's family is going through. So sad.

[Bob2222 317]

Whether the boy actually pulled the gun’s trigger or it accidentally discharged remains under investigation, Mastronardy said.

 

 

http://www.app.com/a...-river-boy-shot

 

"Accidentally discharged"?

 

I can't think of any reason to store a .22 loaded in a home. APP has six pictures of Ruger .22 rifles but just two pictures of the child -- the Ocean County Prosecutor's office connection would make sense.

 

Blame the gun, not the idiot who kept it loaded in a home with kids.

 

EDIT:

 

From the NJ.com:

 

Police were investigating, among other things, whether the adults in the house were legally permitted to own the rifle.

 

No charges have been filed but the investigation continues. The case has been transferred to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office because of a potential conflict of interest with a relative of the 4-year-old boy having a job in Ocean County law enforcement, authorities said.

 

 

http://www.nj.com/ne...s_after_be.html

[XDm9-3.8 2]

Clearly an absolute tragedy. Absolutely preventable. So sad for all involved, having young ones myself, my wife refuses to even talk about this incident. Cannot imagine the pain.

 

I understand this may be a crime based on our laws (leaving a loaded firearm accessible). But is locking up the parent(s) of the 4 year old the right answer? This is something that kid...and parents...is going to have to live with the rest of their lives. Is going parentless/fatherless going to help that? Does that not only further the path of broken familes that plagues this country (amongst many other problems)? Is there not another path of restitution, i.e. - all firearms taken away, community service, speaking engagements, etc., etc.? Is there an opportunity for a lifetime of good than years of a harsh punishment?

[Walt of Destiny 412]

Clearly an absolute tragedy. Absolutely preventable. So sad for all involved, having young ones myself, my wife refuses to even talk about this incident. Cannot imagine the pain.

 

I understand this may be a crime based on our laws (leaving a loaded firearm accessible). But is locking up the parent(s) of the 4 year old the right answer? This is something that kid...and parents...is going to have to live with the rest of their lives. Is going parentless/fatherless going to help that? Does that not only further the path of broken familes that plagues this country (amongst many other problems)? Is there not another path of restitution, i.e. - all firearms taken away, community service, speaking engagements, etc., etc.? Is there an opportunity for a lifetime of good than years of a harsh punishment?

 

Gotta agree. Even though we don't know all the facts yet.

[vladtepes 1,060]

But is locking up the parent(s) of the 4 year old the right answer?

 

yes... they have already illustrated the inability to be good attentive parents... they should have their kid(s) taken away from them and they should pay for their crimes.... no question in my mind....actions have consequences and you do not get a free pass simply by being a parent..

[JackDaWack 2,895]

Clearly an absolute tragedy. Absolutely preventable. So sad for all involved, having young ones myself, my wife refuses to even talk about this incident. Cannot imagine the pain.

 

I understand this may be a crime based on our laws (leaving a loaded firearm accessible). But is locking up the parent(s) of the 4 year old the right answer? This is something that kid...and parents...is going to have to live with the rest of their lives. Is going parentless/fatherless going to help that? Does that not only further the path of broken familes that plagues this country (amongst many other problems)? Is there not another path of restitution, i.e. - all firearms taken away, community service, speaking engagements, etc., etc.? Is there an opportunity for a lifetime of good than years of a harsh punishment?

you would think loosing your kid would be reason enough to be careful with firearms in the home. Obviously not. These people also take away a lot from those who are actually responsible. That kid deserves justice, even if its his parents. Them living in guilt is not justice.

[JJOE 0]

There is NO excuse that can be made for keeping a loaded gun where a child can get at it.. None what so F'n ever!!!

[e80hydro 120]

What does this mean?