Tennessee 5-year-old detained after firing handgun in school cafeteria

[BainsBane]

Detain a 5 yr old but not the parents?

A 5-year-old kindergartener has reportedly been detained at a school in Tennessee after a handgun discharged in the cafeteria.

Shawn Pachucki with Shelby County Schools told WMCT that police were called to Westside Elementary School following a gunshot that happened in the cafeteria at around 7:30 a.m. Pachucki said that the child brought the gun to school in a backpack and it accidentally discharged.

“This morning at Westside Elementary School, a Kindergarten student brought a firearm to school in his backpack,” a statement from Shelby County Schools said. “While waiting for the opening bell in the cafeteria, the firearm discharged accidentally inside the child’s backpack. Nobody was injured, and staff immediately took possession of the backpack.”

The statement added: “SCS Security and the Memphis Police Department responded quickly, and the matter is now under investigation. There is no evidence at this time of harmful intent; however, weapons of any kind are prohibited on campuses, and this student will be disciplined in accordance with the state’s zero tolerance policy.”

Reports said that the child was being held inside the principal’s office.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/22/tennessee-5-year-old-detained-after-firing-handgun-in-school-cafeteria/

[diabeticman]

1. Wait a minute. A 5 year old doesn't fully understand the concept of right and wrong in the eyes

of the law.

[BainsBane]

2. Of course.

[rocktivity]

3. DID he fire the gun or did he not?

I certainly believe a that five-year-old is is capable of understanding that it's wrong to bring a gun to school. But if the gun discharged in his bag, that was an accident, however preventable. Even suggesting that the child fired the gun is something else.


rocktivity

[BainsBane]

4. No, but the issue is where he got the gun

Was it laying around at home and he brought it to school? If so, the parents are negligent and should be charged.

The article says it went off in backpack. There is no reason a 5 y old should have a gun, so whether he shot it or not, the issue is where he got it. I find it odd you are questioning criminal culpability for a 5 yr old rather than the parents who didn't lock up their guns.

[rocktivity]

5. Of course the culpability doesn't begin or end with the child

and of course I don't equate being five-year-old behavior with criminal behavior.

I'd like to know what kind of gun it was, too, so I'll avoid buying it. Either its of very poor quality or isn't wasn't properly maintained.


rocktivity

[Squinch]

6. The five year old going to the principal's office seems right. Now, did his parents go to jail?

Because whoever left that gun around where the 5 year old could get it should be going to jail.

[BainsBane]

7. The article says the case is under investigation