Posted on 01/01/2010 4:46:43 PM PST by rawhide
A 4-year-old boy attending a New Year's Eve church service with his family was killed when a stray bullet came through the roof, hitting him in the head.
The boy, Marquel Peters, was sitting beside his mother in the sanctuary during an intermission, said Lloyd Phipps, senior pastor at the Church of God of Prophecy near Decatur.
About 350 people were gathered in the DeKalb County church on Covington Drive, waiting for a concert to begin at 12:30 a.m. Friday, Phipps said.
"We heard a loud pop, which we now assume was when the bullet came through the roof," Phipps said.
The child, who had been playing a video game moments before the incident, fell to the floor.
"He appeared to be unconscious at first, and then he started crying," Phipps said.
Phipps said the church members prayed for the child, and continued with the planned concert, believing the child would survive his injury.
The child was rushed to a hospital, where he later died, according to Officer Jason Gagnon with DeKalb police.
The pastor and the parishioners where still in the church when they learned of the child's death about 3:30 a.m., Phipps said. He said during the concert, the boy's family kept him updated on the child's condition, which he believed was improving.
Investigators returned to the church later Friday, where they discovered the point of entry for the bullet: in the roof of the church. Phipps said police believe someone fired a celebratory shot into the air, and it went through the roof on its way down.
"It's one of those things that you just cannot make any sense out of," Phipps said. "This lady took her kid to church, which is the right thing to do. And her son got killed because of someone’s irresponsible behavior."
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
I've attended services at many different churches and can't remember an intermission...
A spent bullet wouldn’t make it through 1/4 inch plywood.
And...
I don’t know where you live, but 1/4 inch plywood would NEVER be used for a roof. For starters, it would be illegal.
That’s fine. I just tend to question things (and I’m not alone on this thinking btw) and not blindly follow whatever is told/reported to me...without proof. But that’s just my nature.
“After reaching max-fire velocity this bullet could only gain speed with gravity.”
Completely false. A bullet slows down from the moment it leaves the force of the barrel.
“I’m guessing you don’t know much about guns...”
Yep your guessing!
I’ve seen one come through a tent roof and hurt a guy pretty bad, but not a wooden roof....Not likely IMO.
“And I could be wrong.”
Without a doubt.
It isn't 'spent' until it's stopped and you can hold it in your hand. A cop near my place got out of the car to answer the call of nature, out in the middle of nowhere, and said it felt like he got whacked in the kidney with a 4x4. A .30 projectile was stuck in his vest right where he was hit. Pretty nasty bruise is all he suffered, along with a bad case of the willies. Heard no report, it was night and very quiet. Figured it came from a couple of miles away, at least. I believe this story. If a little kid isn't safe in church, then where is he safe? Reckless firearms use really frosts mmy ass.
Regardless of the details apparently an innocent young child has died from a bullet wound suffered while sitting next to his mother in church. That is heartbreaking beyond words. My prayers for comfort go out to her.
“If you are naif enough to believe what two San Fwancisco “scientists”, (who make a habit of getting it wrong), say about guns, we are REALLY screwed.”
I make ammo and measure the ballistics. Unless that bullet was fired from above the church, the article is incorrect. A bullet fired from high up, horizontally through a roof could deflect and kill somebody sitting in the church. A bullet fired upward, spent and falling downward through a roof did not kill the boy.
I agree!
Before anyone condems the shooter, remember to celibrate our diversity, it is our strength. Even the diversity of celibrating the holidays.
No argument from me.
From the pics I saw, the roof appeared to be light sheetmetal with plastic bagged insulation under. Think “Butler Building” construction. No decking or plywood in the roof.
From the local report, it sounded like the shot was from within a block of the church. A horizontal shot could well be deflected down if it hit the metal corragations just right.
It would only be traveling at about 220 feet per second or so assuming it fell for long enough, like a mile. That speed is not enough to penetrate a wood roof, but it could go through a tent and hit you in the head and it would damn sure draw blood and hurt, depending on the mass, but to kill a four year old with a hard skull would be a stretch and a really freak accident. A baby, possibly yes. I would investigate this incident if I were a cop.
“A .30 projectile was stuck in his vest right where he was hit”
I’d have to do the math, but there are some rifles, particularly 30-06 and 7.62 that have the muzzle velocity to travel a good distance and maintain good velocity. Two miles is probably a stretch, but one mile is entirely possible.
I’ve been trying to create a scenario where the church shooting works. My best guess is a rifle bullet fired directly at the church roof that deflected downward. The shooter was likely in view of the church.
OK! That does make more sense. I shouldn't be surprised at the state of journalism today. Thanks to everyone for not tearing me a new one.
I don’t blindly follow what I am told either. but I will consider an overwelm ammount of eviendce that points to this likely occuring...... what would be the writers alterior motive for writing this? just for giggles?
I sure don’t believe in Mythbusters.
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