Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Criminal Intent

By Stan G. Kain
September 30, 2003

Last Saturday, police were called to a home in Landover, Maryland.  A four year old boy had shot and killed his sister, while wounding his brother.  According to reports, a ten year old sister had gotten the younger children out o the house, when she saw Da'Joun Brice with a .45 caliber automatic pistol.  Da'Joun, the four year old, shot, piercing the front door, hitting his sister in the upper body, resulting in her death.  The bullet also tore through his brother's back, causing non-fatal injuries.

On Monday, the boy's father, Gregory Thigpen, Sr., told the Washington Post that Da'Joun knows what he did.  Mr. Thigpen says the boy is very remorseful and is apologizing for his actions.  Police say the four year old cannot be held criminally responsible for the injury and death of the other children.

Maybe I'm too old to remember being four years of age.  I think my memory is good enough that I remember when my children were four years old.  I know my memory is good enough to remember recent stories of my four year old grandson.  I agree with police that one could hardly hold a four year old criminally accountable for such a tragic situation.

I question, however, the statements of the child's father.  In my experience, a four year old comprehending the seriousness of picking up a pistol and shooting a brother and sister, just doesn't compute.  I find it equally difficult to believe a four year old feeling actual remorse for the act.  This is beyond the mental processes of any four year old I've ever met.  What is the father trying to say?  Is he referring to his own remorse?

I don't believe any child, the age of Da'Joun, could possibly comprehend the finality of death.  Far too often, a child's view of a firearm comes from watching violent action movies or video games.  Shots fly in all directions, people are killed and then you restart the game or the movie.  Eveything is just like before you began to play.  It's not reality.

Remorse and criminal responsibility in this case lie with the parents.  They are mature enough to understand right from wrong.  Their responsibility began when they left these young children home alone, without adult supervision.  Their responsibility failed again, when they left a loaded firearm in the house, unsecured, in the presence of small children.

The injury of one child, the death of another and the trauma yet to be experienced by four year old Da"Joun, are the result of irresponsible parents.  This incident was not just an "accident."  This was a series of poor judgement calls on the part of the parents.  It is now the duty of the justice system to make sure these children receive the supervision and care they deserve and need.  It's also the duty of the system to make sure the parents are punished for their lack of responsibility and safety of their family.

It is a very tragic loss for the family and their neighbors and community.  The best that can come of a story like this is for other families to realize how quickly lives can be lost.  It is a lesson for any family with children and firearms in the house.  Firearms must be secured, if you insist on having them in your home.  Children must have adult supervision at all times.  This is just part of accepting your responsibility as a parent and member of society.

If you have questions or comments, please email Stan.

Copyright Stan G. Kain 2003

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