Anyone else heard this story, outside Oklahoma?

Question

http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_222012328

That is the link to the latest story I found. What happen is some cops decided to shoot a rat snake, didn't check where they were, and ended up killing a five-year-old little boy. This makes me sick on so many different levels. Don't they teach cops basic gun safety? Don't they know the basic rule of what comes up must come down? If they just HAD to kill a harmless snake, why didn't they use the shot gun in their trunk? What would possess anyone to try to shoot a snake with a 40 cal handgun?!?! Four grown men at this scene, and not a half a brain to be found? My 15 year old would know better!! Still no release of names of the cops, good thing it wasn't a private citizen. So much wrong with this whole thing, why hasn't there been a huge public out-cry? Any thoughts from others?

How do I forward it?

Of course, that is not the whole story, just the "latest"
Earlier storys said the snake was in a bird house, and "stuck". Common sense says that it was stuck after eating eggs. Even with a terrible fear of snakes, please tell me what kind of sense was used? They shot a 40 cal handgun into the air, in the middle of a housing addition. Most cars do have shotguns, and if they didn't, a quick call would have gotten them one. As THEY claimed, the snake was going no where! The boy was killed by the bullet hitting him in the head. He was fishing with his grandfather at a nearby pond. Three cops and the homeowner were there when it was decided to shoot the snake, and I'm supposed to believe they were all blinded by a phobic fear of snakes? Sorry, it doesn't cut it. I live with a man who is that scared of snakes, the last one he found was so mutilated I could not ID it, and he could not believe this story. (His first comment was that the dangerous snakes we have around here are not climbers!)

Answer 1

This is sad.
The Oklahoma Police know better, this Police officer just wonted to have some target practice and act macho.
He deserves what he gets, and I hope it’s jail time.


I live in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife has Nuisance Wildlife personnel on call to handle these problems that accrue.
All Police departments know this in Oklahoma, tragedy happens when their ego get the best of them.

I know this because I am one of the many Nuisance Wildlife personnel on call, My name and number is handed out by both
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and all Oklahoma Zoos plus The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife has a Web site that list all trained Nuisance Wildlife personnel in all counties.

Nuisance Wildlife personnel are Subcontractors ( Bounty hunters ) this would of resulted in a bill to the land owner or plaintiff of between $25 to $50 for capture and removal of a nonpoisonous snake, depending on the Nuisance Wildlife Subcontractor.
I have on several occasion not billed the plaintiff if there on a fixed income, disabled or a single parent.
It’s my call as to if I bill the plaintiff or not, Note if one of the local Zoos looses some thing Big and dangerous or if Bites I bill the living He11 out of them.



D58


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 2

I read the story. It doesn't say how the boy died. I don't know what to tell you except this:

NOT every patrol car carries shotguns in the trunk.

NOT every snake is harmless, however...

Most snakes ARE harmless.

Moreover, most people (even policemen) have a morbid fear of snakes.

I can tell you this: I would not have shot the snake, at least not in a populated area, even if I knew for sure it was venomous. If I had identified the snake as venomous I would have: 1. Found a stout stick to kill it with (that's usually how we kill Western Diamondback rattlesnakes in Texas); or, 2. Gotten the proper snake handling equipment to catch the snake with and have disposed of it properly out of harm's way. Of course, I used to be a snake handler and I still have most of my equipment and I do not have an abnormal fear of snakes.

The call should have been handled by animal control. Too bad they were between animal control officers.

I too feel bad for the little boy and for his family.

H

Answer 3

I heard a brief mention of this story.

The cop should get a negligent homicide charge brought against him. I can't believe that anyone stupid enough to shoot a centerfire pistol into a tree was actually given a badge and a gun!

Doc

Answer 4

I'm not in Oklahoma and this is the first I've heard of it. You can't be outraged if you don't know about it.

Try forwarding the story to a national news channel like CNN. They're always looking for ideas for stories.

Answer 5

live in missouri and have herd the story. It is shame. there bad judgment or lack of jugment will sure pass on down to responcible gun owners in the media's eye.
i'm sure we have not herd the last of this can you say law suit, I think the family is in the right to file
not sure where it falls on the nra list of rules but, know your target and what is beyond your target

Answer 6

No did not make it to CNN
but should..
A few years ago in Pittsburgh police shot a 12 yr old boy who was stealing a truck at the time.
Where does society become responsible for itself?
Right and wrong gets lost in courts with attorneys daily.

Answer 7

I believe there are Black people who truly feel this way about Obama, and I hope they are correct. When JFK was running for President, I vowed not to vote for him -- not because he was a bad person, but because he was Catholic and because he was I did not want to risk him doing anything to insult Catholics for all eternity. I am a Catholic! We all know the history of JFK, good and bad.

Answer 8

The story did run on CNN. Also on Fox and MS-NBC. It is a sad day for law enforcement.

Miketyson26