9 yr old Shot, Mistaken for a Skunk

[skipaway]

Would like to know how much the relative had imbibed prior to pulling the trigger.

9 Yr Old or Skunk?

[ChelleC]

No kidding, how do you mistake a child for a skunk?

[skipaway]

No kidding, how do you mistake a child for a skunk?

Well, anything black and white must by definition be a skunk. I hope she pulls through ok.

[orbitz]

Why would one shoot a skunk anyway unless it's rabid and poses a present danger?

[rjblue]

A woman in Maine was hanging out her clothes in her backyard. Because it was cold she was wearing gloves on her hands. They were white. A Whitetail Deer's tail is white. She is dead. The hunter who shot her was aquited, because it was an understandable mistake. I remember following the court case at the time and being horrified.

[Anita18]

A woman in Maine was hanging out her clothes in her backyard. Because it was cold she was wearing gloves on her hands. They were white. A Whitetail Deer's tail is white. She is dead. The hunter who shot her was aquited, because it was an understandable mistake. I remember following the court case at the time and being horrified.

Did they not see the clothes? Or the house? Why is someone hunting in a neighborhood a stone's throw from a backyard?!?!?!

I have seen plenty a skunk in my time. They are the size of a baby. Nooo idea how a 9-y-o could be mistaken for one. Unless she was literally crawling in the grass with the skunk hat on.

[skipaway]

From article on CNN

As the two to three dozen guests milled about, the girl went to hide on the edge of a hill.

It was past 8 p.m. and the sun had long set. A relative spotted the dark figure in the distance, mistook it for a skunk and fired his shotgun, said Officer Greg Carney with the township police.

The girl was hit in the neck, back and arm - and flown to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, about 30 miles away. There, she remained in the intensive care unit, Carney said.

Police will determine later Monday whether they will charge the shooter, whom they did not name. Nor did they say how he was related to the girl.

They did add, however, that the man had not been drinking.

[NancyNC]

They did add, however, that the man had not been drinking.

He had perhaps, however, been inhaling... And should they change the name of the county from Beaver County?

[orbitz]

One hopes that people that own gun would be more responsible. Why would you automatically shoot at a "dark figure in the distance" without verifying first what it is?

[lulu]

A woman in Maine was hanging out her clothes in her backyard. Because it was cold she was wearing gloves on her hands. They were white. A Whitetail Deer's tail is white. She is dead. The hunter who shot her was aquited, because it was an understandable mistake. I remember following the court case at the time and being horrified.

That's just awful.

[lulu]

One hopes that people that own gun would be more responsible. Why would you automatically shoot at a "dark figure in the distance" without verifying first what it is?

Amen to that! How the heck do you confuse a 9 year old child with a skunk?

[Vash01]

Amen to that! How the heck do you confuse a 9 year old child with a skunk?

...and even if you did, why would anyone shoot a skunk? It's not a threat to anyone's life.

[lulu]

...and even if you did, why would anyone shoot a skunk? It's not a threat to anyone's life.

Good point. Anyway, I hope the girl recovers fully.

[Anita18]

...and even if you did, why would anyone shoot a skunk? It's not a threat to anyone's life.

If you hit it at exactly the right place, it'll probably stink up your entire yard anyway. Best to leave it be!

[cruisin]

Why did this man have a gun at a Halloween party?

[AliasJohnDoe]

Why did this man have a gun at a Halloween party?

Guns are being allowed everywhere these days. Bars for example. Even written into law.

Bobby Jindal signed into law that concealed guns can be brought into churches.

It's getting ridiculous. People can't go anywhere today without guns being around them.

[rjblue]

That's just awful.

Her name was Karen Wood, and the shooting happened in 1988. The local feeling was that it was as much her fault as his, for not wearing hunter orange, and wearing white gloves. He was completely unpunished. I remember being shocked, because at the very least, he should have been banned from owning firearms or hunting for the rest of his life.

[cruisin]

Guns are being allowed everywhere these days. Bars for example. Even written into law.

Bobby Jindal signed into law that concealed guns can be brought into churches.

It's getting ridiculous. People can't go anywhere today without guns being around them.

We have some of the strictest gun laws in the US, here in NJ. Not saying that people who should not have guns don't get them. But, you carry a concealed weapon here, and get caught, you're screwed.