Eight year old boy accused of intentionally killing a woman

[Opti]

usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/24/20161358-boy-8-accused-of-intentionally-killing-87-year-old-woman-in-louisiana?lite=

An 8-year-old boy intentionally shot and killed an 87-year-old woman at their home in Slaughter, La., authorities said Friday.

Marie Smothers was described only as the boy's "current caregiver." No other information was available on the relationship between the boy and Smothers, who police said was shot in the back of her head late Thursday afternoon as she watched television.

The boy, whose identity wasn't released because he's a juvenile, was released into the custody of his parents pending the investigation, the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Slaughter is a town of about 1,000 people near Baton Rouge, the state capital.

"Although the juvenile initially told investigators that he accidentally shot the victim


OMG doesn't seem sufficient for this. Another sad story of why it is important to secure your guns.

[zibazinski]

Or stop raising feral children.

[swamp]

Or stop treating kids like animals so they end up feral. 

[Colleenz]

Or don't live in a town called Slaughter

[zibazinski]

Yikes!

[Deleted]

 Is it illegal for eight-year-olds to pack heat?

[mmhmm]

Good grief!  How in the hell did an 8-year-old kid get hold of a gun with which to shoot an 87-year-old woman?!?  I'm afraid we may hear from some he could have just as easily beaten her to death with his bare fists; however, somehow I'm pretty sure that's not exactly true.  This stuff is really starting to get to me.  It's downright sickening!

[marvholly]

I am beginning to wonder if it is not WAAAY past time to require pre-having a child classes and limited licensing. We are required to get licenses/certifications for just about EVERYTHING else we do.

[workpublic]

Or stop raising feral children.

Or stop treating kids like animals so they end up feral.

aren't those statements the same thing?

"raising" = "treating like"?

[resolution]

So the boy has been released to go live with his parents because the judge feels it is safe for him. I wonder how safe it is for the parents and why he wasn't living with them in the first place?

usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/26/20203529-judge-rules-8-year-old-who-killed-his-grandmother-can-live-with-parents?lite

Judge William Carmichael ruled that the child would be placed in his parents’ custody because it is a “safe environment,” D’Aquilla said. “I guess they may be able to supervise him better than a 90-year-old,” he added.

[The Captain]

What I find disturbing is that he won't/can't be charged with anything.  There will be nothing on his record to reflect this incident.

Not saying an 8 yo should go to jail but nothing at all?

And yes, I do think at 8 you know right from wrong (if raised correctly).  You may not completely understand the consequences of your actions but murder?