What are your thoughts about this tragic story?

Question

CNN.com: 'Haunted house dare gets cheerleader shot'
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/24/haunted.shooting.ap/index.html

Suspect says he was just trying to scare off trespassers

Thursday, August 24, 2006; Posted: 8:37 p.m. EDT (00:37 GMT)

WORTHINGTON, Ohio (AP) -- Someone shot at a carload of teenage girls, critically wounding one of them, after some of them had stepped near a house that had been rumored by fellow students to be haunted, police said.

A man who lives in the house, Allen S. Davis, was arrested Wednesday in the shooting of 17-year-old Rachel Barezinsky the night before. He told reporters Wednesday from jail that he was trying to drive off trespassers and didn't intend to hurt the girls.

Barezinsky remained in critical condition Thursday at Ohio State University Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

Barezinsky's aunt, Tina Wedebrook, told reporters Wednesday that the girl had surgery to relieve swelling in her brain and had been able to squeeze visitors' hands, but was having trouble moving the left side of her body.

Davis' home, across from a cemetery and overgrown with trees and weeds, had a reputation among local teens for being haunted. Students at Thomas Worthington High School in suburban Columbus had been daring each other to knock on the door or go in the yard, police Lt. Doug Francis said.

Barezinsky and two of her friends got out of their car parked near the home about 10 p.m. and took a few steps onto the property, Francis said. They jumped back in when a girl still in the car sounded the horn, and they heard what they thought were firecrackers as they drove away, he said.

The girls drove around the block, and Barezinsky was struck in the head and shoulder while sitting in the car as they passed the house again, Francis said. The other girls were not injured.

Hundreds gathered on the high school football field Wednesday night for a vigil for Barezinsky, a cheerleader at the school of about 1,700 students.

Police said Davis, a self-employed nonfiction writer who lives with his 64-year-old mother, told investigators he was aiming for the car's tires.

Davis, 40, appeared before a judge Thursday on five counts of felonious assault. His bond was set at $500,000.

Davis told reporters Wednesday he had prepared the rifle after numerous instances of trespassing.

"It's really something how homeowners defend themselves and the way the laws are written. We're the ones brought up on charges while the perpetrators get little or nothing," Davis said.

Francis said Davis told investigators he had never called police about any problems with trespassers.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Answer 1

It is sad, but the girls should not have been there, he should have been more careful where he was shooting also. Why did the teens think they had the right to be on his property? They should know better, but he should have known better also....

Answer 2

Yeah, they had no business being on his property. But shooting a bunch of teenage girls...that's just stupid. I think there's something about this guy, though. He's got a look...honestly I wouldn't doubt if he fired to vent some frustration. I'm sure he wasn't really afraid or anything.

Why the h*ll...seriously, would anyone fire at a car that's already driving away. Cops don't even do that!! I hope this guy gets what he deserves.

Answer 3

I live in Columbus. This guy is looks crazy! You don't just shot into the night because some teenagers are outside your house. I hope the girl pulls through. They had done no harm to the property and the home owner had never called the police before or this night.

ALSO THEY WERE DRIVING BACK AROUND WHEN HE SHOT AT THEM. WHAT IF IT WAS ANOTHER CAR HE SHOT AND NOT THEIRS. OR WHAT IF HE HAD SHOT A NEIGHBOR!!!!!

Answer 4

Poor girl!
The guy was protecting what was his...he could have thought maybe someone was coming to rob his mother? Rape her even.

Id be sick of punks running all over my property too. Not enough to shoot them mind you!

Tragic. Thats what it is. I hope she lives. :(

Answer 5

thats so sad and tragic
BUT.. the teens had NO business trespassing

Answer 6

JEEZ! Thats sad and that man is CRAZY!