Angry 4 yr old shoots babysitter with shotgun

[TxD]

Lots to think about here.

JACKSON, Ohio – Police say an angry 4-year-old Ohio boy grabbed a gun from a closet and shot his babysitter for accidentally stepping on his foot.

http://fe12.story.media.ac4.yahoo.com/n ... ng_shooter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[atxgun]

I think that's kind of why they have all that wordage about not having guns that are readily accessible to minors in Texas.

[Purplehood]

When I heard this on the radio my first conclusion was that the babysitter wounded himself playing around with the gun, and tried to pass it off on an irate 4 year old. I just really really have a difficult time thinking that the little boy could have managed this, though I do not rule it out.

[Oldgringo]

When I heard this on the radio my first conclusion was that the babysitter wounded himself playing around with the gun, and tried to pass it off on an irate 4 year old. I just really really have a difficult time thinking that the little boy could have managed this, though I do not rule it out.

The article stated ".... with several other teenagers and several other children...".

[Purplehood]

Like I said, when I heard it on the radio...

[CodeJockey]

When I heard this on the radio my first conclusion was that the babysitter wounded himself playing around with the gun, and tried to pass it off on an irate 4 year old. I just really really have a difficult time thinking that the little boy could have managed this, though I do not rule it out.

I can say this. My four year old would be capable (physically) of performing this action. Now, that said, he would never do this, and would not be able to anyway because my shotguns are not readily accessible to him. In addition, even at four he has been taught very stringently about guns by me in a safe, controlled manner (as have my other children).

But from a purely physical point of view, it is technically possible for him to hold a shotgun and fire it. He is quite tall and strong for his age.

[Purplehood]

I come from small-stock. I always wondered if some youngsters could pull-off a stunt like that.

[flintknapper]

I come from small-stock. I always wondered if some youngsters could pull-off a stunt like that.

I had my daughter shooting a small compound bow (unassisted) from an 8' elevated stand at that age.

She would consistently shoot groups of 10-12" on a target 30 feet away. So...yes, I believe some 4 yr olds could wield a shotgun effectively.

[NcongruNt]

When I heard this on the radio my first conclusion was that the babysitter wounded himself playing around with the gun, and tried to pass it off on an irate 4 year old. I just really really have a difficult time thinking that the little boy could have managed this, though I do not rule it out.

Something just doesn't sound right about this story. I suppose it's possible, but more probable to me one of that the teenagers were involved.

[srothstein]

The report I read even mentioned the 4 year old got the ammo from a different location and loaded the gun. It was a single shot break barrel style shotgun, so I have no problem believing he could do it. Rossi even makes a youth size shotgun that meets this description as one example (I have no idea what brand he used).

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/lo ... CEDL4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TDDude]

I'm sure glad it wasn't an "Assault" shotgun.

Or maybe lord "O" will use this to justify including singe shot weapons in the upcoming ban.

At 4 years, my kids could have pulled this off. Especially when they were close to being 5.

[TxD]

At 4 years, my kids could have pulled this off. Especially when they were close to being 5.

I agree that this is physically possible at four years old.

Taking the story at face value, my thoughts/questions center around; what influence or
factors would lead a 4 year old to believe this act was an option?
Parents, movies, siblings, TV, video games, over all environment?

This act didn't occur only because there was a gun in the house and he was physically able to
use it.

[longhorn_92]

At 4 years, my kids could have pulled this off. Especially when they were close to being 5.

I agree that this is physically possible at for years old.

Taking the story at face value, my thoughts/questions center around; what influence or
factors would lead a 4 year old to believe this act was an option?
Parents, movies, siblings, TV, video games, over all environment?

This act didn't occur only because there was a gun in the house and he was physically able to
use it.

I believe all of the above. It all starts with parents and the lack of proper parenting skills (for many) in today's society.

[bridge]

I don't believe a word of it. From a child development perspective (cognitively speaking) this action would require a formal thought process on the part of the 4 yo. A 4 yo has a concrete thought process that does not involve such cause/effect, decision making and processing that this event says happened. Especially, if the gun had to be loaded with ammo in a separate location. I'd bet the older children where playing with the weapon, accidentally discharged it and then made up a story. [/rant]

[bryang]

At 4 years, my kids could have pulled this off. Especially when they were close to being 5.

I agree that this is physically possible at for years old.

Taking the story at face value, my thoughts/questions center around; what influence or
factors would lead a 4 year old to believe this act was an option?
Parents, movies, siblings, TV, video games, over all environment?

This act didn't occur only because there was a gun in the house and he was physically able to
use it.

I believe all of the above. It all starts with parents and the lack of proper parenting skills (for many) in today's society.

I agree, I just can not understand what kind of influence this child had for his four years of life in the world to have decided to get out the shotgun and then go get the ammo and then shoot his babysitter...for stepping on his foot. I just have a hard time believing it. Hopefully there will be more information come out int he future.

-geo