Prank turns deadly for Arkansas teen

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Harmless, eh? Nothing like ruining a $3,000 paint job to get your "harmless" prank on. Sounds like you never had to pay for egg damage on a car before.

Vandalism like this could have been expensive if the car's paint had been ruined. Is that serious enough to justify killing someone?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Serious question, do you think that egging and throwing toilet paper is a criminal act that deserves death?

C'mon man, you know that's not what he meant. NO ONE in their right mind would condone the shooting, period. To use deadly force in a case like this is completely unwarranted, and he will go to jail for it, no doubt. As for your comment above about shooting someone outside your home... better re-think that one. Even if you shoot a burglar inside and he makes it outside, better pick him up and put him back inside to die. Oh, and make sure he dies, too. Wounded criminals make EXCELLENT witnesses on the stand.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

C'mon man, you know that's not what he meant. NO ONE in their right mind would condone the shooting, period. To use deadly force in a case like this is completely unwarranted, and he will go to jail for it, no doubt. As for your comment above about shooting someone outside your home... better re-think that one. Even if you shoot a burglar inside and he makes it outside, better pick him up and put him back inside to die. Oh, and make sure he dies, too. Wounded criminals make EXCELLENT witnesses on the stand.

I sincerely hope that's not what he meant. I said earlier that it would take an extreme circumstance to shoot someone outside of my home. I don't know what that could be until I was faced with it. Maybe someone outside shooting at the house, something like that, then I could see shooting back. I honestly don't fret over things like this, but if someone breaks in my house, I like to think I will act accordingly.

[slim 1,525]

Serious question, do you think that egging and throwing toilet paper is a criminal act that deserves death?

No.

But I believe when you're committing a crime of any type there is (and very well should be) an increased risk to your safety. We've all but turned a blind eye to crime in our society because we don't want to be personally involved and/or we're not allowed to be the fix.

For instance, lets say this guy didn't go outside shooting but did catch one of the kids. He'd probably still get charged with assault of a minor even if he would've just grabbed their arm and taken them down the street. Our modern society is so hell-bent on blaming someone - instead of the perpetrator or parents of the perpetrators as mentioned above - that we forget we used to be responsible for our own actions.

No wonder government is allowed to run amok. We've accepted it and asked for more.

I just watched the video. It was a black man, who killed a black Teen, and a black police chief.

What you gonna do with this one Marvin?

SUPER LOL!!!

I'm sure this was the white man's fault somehow. Too much SYG on the TV lately or some other lame excuse.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

No.

But I believe when you're committing a crime of any type there is (and very well should be) an increased risk to your safety. We've all but turned a blind eye to crime in our society because we don't want to be personally involved and/or we're not allowed to be the fix.

For instance, lets say this guy didn't go outside shooting but did catch one of the kids. He'd probably still get charged with assault of a minor even if he would've just grabbed their arm and taken them down the street. Our modern society is so hell-bent on blaming someone - instead of the perpetrator or parents of the perpetrators as mentioned above - that we forget we used to be responsible for our own actions.

No wonder government is allowed to run amok. We've accepted it and asked for more.

Agreed. And no offense meant with the question.

[slim 1,525]

None taken. It's a valid question.

I'm pretty accepting of the levels of force we're allowed to use when it comes to defense of ourselves and those around us. But defense of property by anyone other than a government agent is typically illegal. It wasn't always that way.

Do I think we should shoot kids for egging cars? No. But, do I think we should beat the holy hell out of them for doing something they know is wrong? Absofreakinlutely.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

None taken. It's a valid question.

I'm pretty accepting of the levels of force we're allowed to use when it comes to defense of ourselves and those around us. But defense of property by anyone other than a government agent is typically illegal. It wasn't always that way.

Do I think we should shoot kids for egging cars? No. But, do I think we should beat the holy hell out of them for doing something they know is wrong? Absofreakinlutely.

And you're right, if the guy had run out and grabbed one of the kids or detained them until the cops got there he probably would have gotten arrested or sued. Shooting at that was idiotic, but they should have been accountable for any cleanup or damage that they caused. I guess I looked at this like high school kids toilet papering the football players houses or whatever the tradition is. It still happens here every September when football season starts. Paint damage to a car can be very expensive. Kids do dumb things and need to learn there are consequences for their actions.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

None taken. It's a valid question.

I'm pretty accepting of the levels of force we're allowed to use when it comes to defense of ourselves and those around us. But defense of property by anyone other than a government agent is typically illegal. It wasn't always that way.

Do I think we should shoot kids for egging cars? No. But, do I think we should beat the holy hell out of them for doing something they know is wrong? Absofreakinlutely.

One time in the small burg I grew up in, Me and some other rebellious teens painted graffiti on signs. On the City Limit sign we painted "speed trap" on another big sign we called the police chief a pig.

The hauled us in along with our parents. They without formal proceedings made us go pick up trash for two weekends, clean all the signs and apologize to the police chief.

During the process, several officers including the Chief would come check on us, brings us Sodas and spend some very positive time with us talking about what happened and life in general.

All in all it was a good experience and taught us a lesson, and we left with respect for the Police officers. Now I am sure that could never happen today for many reasons, but that is a great way to handle things.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

One time in the small burg I grew up in, Me and some other rebellious teens painted graffiti on signs. On the City Limit sign we painted "speed trap" on another big sign we called the police chief a pig.

The hauled us in along with our parents. They without formal proceedings made us go pick up trash for two weekends, clean all the signs and apologize to the police chief.

During the process, several officers including the Chief would come check on us, brings us Sodas and spend some very positive time with us talking about what happened and life in general.

All in all it was a good experience and taught us a lesson, and we left with respect for the Police officers. Now I am sure that could never happen today for many reasons, but that is a great way to handle things.

I think that is a great way to handle something like that. Clean up the mess, a bit of public service to prove the point and walk away a better person. We need more of that today, IMO.

[slim 1,525]

The stories I heard surrounding all these "harmless prank" traditions always included, "and then her dad woke up and shot at the kids with rocksalt."

I keep rubber bullets in my kit for less lethal applications. There's no legal scenario where I'm allowed to shoot them at the drunk college kids that walk down my street smashing car door mirrors but at least I can sit there holding one and smiling knowing the police will certainly take care of it.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I sincerely hope that's not what he meant. I said earlier that it would take an extreme circumstance to shoot someone outside of my home. I don't know what that could be until I was faced with it. Maybe someone outside shooting at the house, something like that, then I could see shooting back. I honestly don't fret over things like this, but if someone breaks in my house, I like to think I will act accordingly.

True story, told to me years ago when I was in college by a local sheriff...

A burglar broke into a guy's house, was robbing them, and as he was trying to exit the house, the owner opened fire, wounding the would-be burglar. Kept him pinned down with his gun while his wife called 911. Police arrived, arrested the burglar, and took him to the hospital, and later to jail after his wound was treated. Then it took some time, and a few court appearances, but eventually the burglar was awarded the man's home and land in compensation for the pain and suffering he endured as a result of the burglary and subsequent shooting.

Paraphrasing a bit, the sheriff told me, "If you shoot someone, make REAL sure they are dead and in your house before you call the law".

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

One time in the small burg I grew up in, Me and some other rebellious teens painted graffiti on signs. On the City Limit sign we painted "speed trap" on another big sign we called the police chief a pig.

.....

All in all it was a good experience and taught us a lesson, and we left with respect for the Police officers. Now I am sure that could never happen today for many reasons, but that is a great way to handle things.

I agree with Spooks, that was THE way to handle it. A little shame and humility, a little bonding with the local "pigs", and perhaps a growing respect for what they do as public servants that might even do away with that nasty term, pigs.

Call me crazy if ye will, but I feel the same way about calling a police officer a pig as when someone uses the n-word. Just wrong, IMHO.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

True story, told to me years ago when I was in college by a local sheriff...

A burglar broke into a guy's house, was robbing them, and as he was trying to exit the house, the owner opened fire, wounding the would-be burglar. Kept him pinned down with his gun while his wife called 911. Police arrived, arrested the burglar, and took him to the hospital, and later to jail after his wound was treated. Then it took some time, and a few court appearances, but eventually the burglar was awarded the man's home and land in compensation for the pain and suffering he endured as a result of the burglary and subsequent shooting.

Paraphrasing a bit, the sheriff told me, "If you shoot someone, make REAL sure they are dead and in your house before you call the law".

Remember Berhand Goetz. His only mistake was not killing the thugs who tried to rob him

Edited February 19, 2014 by The Nature Boy

[Pooky 3,783]

I think the "I only intended to scare them off" defence isn't going to fly on this one.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I apologize to Slim as I re-read my question to him I can see how it could sound accusatory. That was not my intent. I did not mean to insinuate anything or put you in a negative light at all.