'doing target practice', man injures neighbor kid

[spolct]

i know exactly where this is, and the yards are decent sized mostly due to the small house sizes, but nothing even close to target practice size. doesn't pass my sniff test (that he was 'just' target shooting), but either way the dude is in jail. i also think the phrase 'doing target practice' is a bit wonky, but it seems that there is generally little to no editing of online news stories on that site.

Cristian Manzano, 20, was doing target practice in a yard in the 400 block of West Yarmouth Street when one of the bullets went through a kitchen window next door, striking the child, police spokesman Lt. Max Geron said.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas/D ... 44461.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[philip964]

Judge: please sentence him to jail for a long time.

[txnative1951]

If he can't grow a better mustache and beard that that, he *deserves* to be in jail. :)

[Oldgringo]

There are several experimental cures for "stupid" on the market. So far, Zyklon B has proven to be the most effective.

[HKMike]

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"According to records, Manzano has previously been arrested for possession of a controlled substance, marijuana possession and possession of a prohibited weapon." Surprised to read he has a criminal history. (sarcasm meter pegged at 10)

[spolct]

article was updated, and wonkiness removed. the police spokesperson's statement now says:

Cristian Manzano, 20, was firing a weapon in a yard in the 400 block of West Yarmouth Street when one of the bullets went through a kitchen window next door, striking the child, police spokesman Lt. Max Geron said.

i'm now a bit bothered that the article makes it seem like guy with a history of drug and weapon related arrests doing a little target shooting in his backyard in a heavily populated area of oak cliff is fairly normal. maybe its just how i read it.

DALLAS — A nine-year-old girl was fighting for her life Saturday night after Dallas police said a neighbor's target practice went horribly wrong.

still not really buying the guy's target practice story.



eta: relevant quotes

[jmra]

I'm trying to figure out the likelyhood that I would be free in my backyard with a gun if I had the criminal history this guy has. I doubt that I would.

[Beiruty]

Why this gangbanger is out of his cage? Sending him to Arizona to be rehabilitated under the tent.

[WildBill]

Judge: please sentence him to jail for a long time.

I am thankful that he didn't kill the girl. No more "second chances" for this guy.

[txnative1951]

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com
"According to records, Manzano has previously been arrested for possession of a controlled substance, marijuana possession and possession of a prohibited weapon." Surprised to read he has a criminal history. (sarcasm meter pegged at 10)

Here's as better link for you:

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03 ... tion.html/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The "prohibited weapon" charge is curious though. It could mean a lot of things.
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.46.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sec. 46.05. PROHIBITED WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells:

(1) an explosive weapon;
(2) a machine gun;
(3) a short-barrel firearm;
(4) a firearm silencer;
(5) a switchblade knife;
(6) knuckles;
(7) armor-piercing ammunition;
(8) a chemical dispensing device;
(9) a zip gun; or
(10) a tire deflation device.

I'm thinking more likely a switchblade knife or knuckes.

On a side note, what I find interesting is the "tire deflation device" being listed. That sounds rather broad. Surely they aren't talking about something like this:



But from the wording of the statute, it would seem that basically many tire repair kits would contain a "prohibited weapon".

Ooops... A bit more reading on that page and it seems that they are talking about things like "spike strips" that the police use. Still, it seems like an odd thing to classify as a "prohibited weapon".

Also, they define "zip gun" as "a device or combination of devices that was not originally a firearm and is adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance". That seems a bit broad in my opinion and could actually be used to hinder people hobbyists who might try designing their own firearms.

[jmra]

Also, they define "zip gun" as "a device or combination of devices that was not originally a firearm and is adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance". That seems a bit broad in my opinion and could actually be used to hinder people hobbyists who might try designing their own firearms.

Back in the '70s I can remember one of the neighbor kids making a marble gun out of galvanized pipe and a firecracker. It was pretty potent. Guess that would be a big no no now.

[rbwhatever1]

This neighborhood is obviously conditioned to the sound of gunfire if it was no big deal and he was never reported or told to stop by his fellow neighbors. He's definitely a moron and possibly living in a neighborhood full of other morons. Hope the girl is okay.

[FL450]

Also, they define "zip gun" as "a device or combination of devices that was not originally a firearm and is adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance". That seems a bit broad in my opinion and could actually be used to hinder people hobbyists who might try designing their own firearms.

Back in the '70s I can remember one of the neighbor kids making a marble gun out of galvanized pipe and a firecracker. It was pretty potent. Guess that would be a big no no now.

So I guess potatoe cannons are out

[misterlarry]

Also, they define "zip gun" as "a device or combination of devices that was not originally a firearm and is adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance". That seems a bit broad in my opinion and could actually be used to hinder people hobbyists who might try designing their own firearms.

Back in the '70s I can remember one of the neighbor kids making a marble gun out of galvanized pipe and a firecracker. It was pretty potent. Guess that would be a big no no now.

So I guess potatoe cannons are out

Use to love playing with spud guns.

[Keith B]

This neighborhood is obviously conditioned to the sound of gunfire if it was no big deal and he was never reported or told to stop by his fellow neighbors. He's definitely a moron and possibly living in a neighborhood full of other morons. Hope the girl is okay.

Who's to say it wasn't the first time he was doing this and before they could even make a call he had shot through the window? I doubt the neighbors would have allowed it to have gone on before and not reported it.