Posted on 01/14/2006 4:56:43 AM PST by Chanticleer
LONGWOOD -- A Milwee Middle School eighth-grader, who last year threatened to blow up a school bus, showed up for class Friday with a pistol in his backpack.
However, classmates of Chris Penley, 15, didn't know it was a pellet gun.
Neither did a veteran Seminole County deputy sheriff, who made a split-second decision to open fire when Chris pointed the weapon at him, authorities said.
The deputy's single shot gravely wounded the boy, who was on life support Friday at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
But if he threatened to blow up a bus last year, the young man has some serious issues. I pray he survives and gets help.
New national training in the wake of Columbine.
No it isn't. It is the resumption of OLD training ie: cop does job.
I suppose they could have left him alone in the bathroom for a while to cool off -- surrounding it to keep the public safe. They might have tried to get his parents there, or a friend or pastor who might have been able to reason with him. But then, if he had killed himself, they'd be in trouble for leaving him alone. If he hurt someone else, again, they're in trouble.
It seems like the time to help this kid was when he threatened to blow up the bus. I wonder what sort of help he received. I hope he pulls through and gets help now.
I'm located in Longwood, between 427 and Grant, south of 434. One of my kids went to Milwee and three went to Lyman.
Related subject:
Why wouldn't a bad guy paint the barrel of his real gun red or pink to give him a split-second advantage over the cop? I never understood this stupid law.
Former neighbors! I used to live off of 434. Hope you and your children are well.
If he dies by his own hand that is another story entirely. IMO, the police would have had no control over that and could not have been held responsible.
SVTCobra03, You purposely mischaracterised my remarks. As a citizen, I feel perfectly justified in criticising the police when they deserve it. I don't always buy the 'split second decision' argument, especially when it smacks of failure to employ rational means other than confrontation. I mean, how much smarter are we than a fifteen year old?
The decision to have a sniper take out the Orlando bank robber who had a hostage in a vehicle was perfectly justified however.
I would never want YOU charged with the safety of MY children.
I don't care if it were a TEN YEAR OLD! A gun is a WEAPON- NOT A TOY!
It is not the SWAT TEAM's job to get this kid counseling, it is not their job to psycho-analyze the PERP with a GUN in a SCHOOL of CHILDREN. It is their job to protect the lives of the INNOCENT people that the PERP has endangered. It is their job to secure the premises and provide safety. IF IN THE COURSE OF THIS JOB- THEIR LIFE (or the life of anyone else)is THREATENED- THEN they have the authority and the OBLIGATION to use deadly force if necessary. What if this man had been shot and killed by this PERP? Then what? What if he shot and killed him- then is the the next SWAT team member aloud to shoot and protect? How many people have to die before a gun-weilding perp is accountable for waving a gun and pointing it at people?
This child's condition is horrific- and there are PLENTY of people to blame... BUT NOT THE OFFICER THAT SHOT HIM! In fact- if I were the officer- I would be wanting to see heads roll for putting this child- the other children, and the police officers in danger because they did not get this child help LAST YEAR! HOW DARE this officer be PUT INTO THIS SITUATION by this 15-yr old- his parents- the schools, etc....
/rant off
I have four children, including two teenage boys. Normal teenagers can be very difficult to reason with -- this boy was especially troubled. An adult may be "smarter" than a 15-year old, but an angry 15-year old with a gun can be every bit as deadly.
I am sure that in this case, as with every case in which a deputy is involved in a shooting, there will be a thorough investigation. Because it involves a child, the situation should be even more carefully scrutinized, and if errors were made, the Sheriff needs to be forthcoming about them. I'm just not ready to assume that errors were made.
I think you are correct. They may have expanded the definition of violence, even beyond the little scraps many of us have gotten into. Bullying? Harassment?
That number seems really high. Why would a counselors' organization inflate the numbers?
Self interest, perhaps.
I've wondered that myself.
I find this difficult to believe. Any thoughts?
I believe that the 6th-12th graders were asked questions about violence in a way that would elicit a response of at least one violent act a year. Whether the statistic is factually true of actual violence is doubtful.
In court, questions designed to elicit a desired response are considered "leading the witness" to a desired conclusion. Without the context and text of the question, the statistic is suspect.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ed
Many parents choose to give the child the extra time to mature -- especially parents of active little boys.
Considering it's before February 1st now, he probably was held back a year. But in a few weeks from now, you wouldn't be able to assume so.
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