Woman who shot 12-year-old won't face charges, but boy will

[CactusCarlos]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/09/12-year-old-boy-shot-in-arm-in-south-shore.html

Police say no charges will be filed against a 68-year-old woman who shot a 12-year-old boy after he and a 13-year-old friend broke the windows of her South Shore neighborhood home, then shouted obscenities and threw bricks at her.

The boys, however, have been charged as juveniles with aggravated assault of a person over the age of 60 and have been released to their parents, police said.

Police said the woman, who lives alone, acted in self-defense -- a belief shared by neighbors who said the woman known as "Miss Margaret" had been harassed by the boys before and had called police to no avail.

"She talked to me on Friday," Frenchie Johnson told reporters. "She said, 'Frenchie I've done had enough.' They set the garbage can on fire, her barbecue pit, this isn't the first time they busted a window. It's bad."

Late Tuesday afternoon, the woman returned to her home in the 7600 block of South Coles Avenue from grocery shopping and noticed all the windows broken, according to police. The woman then saw two boys running away.

The woman called police and was putting away her groceries when the boys showed up again, authorities said.

The woman walked out onto the porch and the boys began shouting obscenities and throwing bricks at her, authorities said. The woman then pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking one of the boys in the shoulder, authorities said.

The boy was treated at Comer Children's Hospital, and he and the 13-year-old were then  charged with aggravated assault.

The 12-year-old's grandmother said he and his friend were just walking by the home when they were shot for no reason.

"He and his friend were walking down the street," Donna Virges told reporters. "And they saw a window broken at a woman's house, and as they passed by, they said she came out shooting."

"I hope they took her to jail, I hope so, something's wrong with her," she added.

Some neighbors also questioned the shooting.

"I think that's crazy, a lady would shoot at a child," Dominique Ward said. "How can you fix yourself to shoot at a 12-year-old?"

But most neighbors rallied around the woman, some saying they would have done the same thing because police are slow to respond to their complaints about vandalism.

"She was being protective of herself," said a man who lives next door. "What they did was wrong. Especially with her being an older woman."

The neighbor said someone vandalized his family's property about a week ago and broke out a window. "We just ran outside and that scared them off."

"I wouldn't have pulled out a weapon," he said. "But I'm glad [she] wasn't charged. She probably thought they were (going to) come in her house next. She was only protecting herself."

Other neighbors said the 12-year-old is well-known on the block.

"His name? As far as I know him, I call him the little bad boy," said Hilda Brunt.

[RightCoast]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/09/12-year-old-boy-shot-in-arm-in-south-shore.html

A heart-warming story.

[Eupher]

This thing would end extremely well if the punks were sentenced to community service of about a year, the bulk of which would be to work for the older woman. Cleaning up glass, repairing windows, shoveling shit, that kind of thing.

Mom and Dad get to pay for the damages, of course. And maybe serve some time in jail for contempt if the little douchebags step out of line one iota.

Oh, they have to pay for the bullet that was expended too. Can't leave any stone unturned, yunno. 

[debk]

I'm glad that the kid wasn't killed....not only for his sake, but also the woman's. At her age, it could have been a very bad thing for her.

On the other hand....since the parents obviously have no control of the kid....kudos to the woman!!! Maybe this will teach the kid a good lesson and scare him enough to straighten his act up.

I just hope there aren't any repercussions on the woman from some older street thugs, thinking she needs to be taught a lesson. 

[zeitgeist]

There is a great campfire over on the island if anyone is interested.  I must say they are a disfunctional family over there.  Much huffing and puffing but I loved this one which cut to the bottom line but no reply to yet.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x341856

spin  (1000+ posts)      Wed Sep-29-10 07:17 PM
Response to Reply #39
45. I'm reaching that point ...
 I'm going on 65, I need one hip replaced and I have fairly severe degenerative disk disease.

I finally bought myself a shotgun for self defense. A 12 gauge coach gun.

 

I'am just guessing there would be no winging the perp with this bad boy.    Lock and load granny!!

[Ptarmigan]

That kid who got shot was a troublemaker and bully. Good for that woman.

[Evil_Conservative]

That kid needs a good ass kicking too.  If that were my kid, I'd whoop her ass while she was still at the hospital. 

[Boudicca]

That was a righteous shot.  Kudos to the brave lady.  Perhaps the wounded shoulder will turn the juvenile delinquent into a law abiding adult.

[true_blood]

I'm glad that the kid wasn't killed....not only for his sake, but also the woman's. At her age, it could have been a very bad thing for her.

On the other hand....since the parents obviously have no control of the kid....kudos to the woman!!! Maybe this will teach the kid a good lesson and scare him enough to straighten his act up.

I just hope there aren't any repercussions on the woman from some older street thugs, thinking she needs to be taught a lesson. 

H5 for that post Deb!