File charges? 13 y/o son shot by 13 & 15 y/o kids?

Question

My son came in the house to show me that he'd been shot in close range on the wrist and buttocks by the neighbor's bb gun. The thing is that the gun doesn't even belong to the kids that used it! These kids live across the street yet play with the bb gun owner who is 13 y/o as well.

His parents after the incident took the gun and put it up in the closet along with his other 3 bb guns!!!

I'm very upset and met with the culprits' parents to see how to resolve this. I told them that their children need some serious counseling but is that enough? They seemed very reasonable but the more I think about it, the more I want to press charges.

The 15 y/o boy is the 13 y/o girl's brother and he shot my son in the buttocks. I'm livid!

Any suggestions? Any legal suggestions?

Thanks to all that have responded. It was the 13 y/o boy owner of the bb gun who gave it to the 13 y/o GIRL who shot my son on the wrist! Her brother then took it from her and shot it at my son's buttocks. It's a small flesh wound on his wrist and no other marks. I took many pics of it. I talked to all the kids and explained how VERY WRONG this could have turned out. What also makes this tough is that she's a classmate in most of his classes at their school. If I don't do anything, I won't be able to sleep well at night. Thanks for the motivation. They need to learn consequences the hard way!

Answer 1

Being angry is understandable. But pressing charges on a 13 & 15 y/o (or any age for that matter) is very serious. You have spoken with the parents already. They have agreed to deal with the situation. Don't let them play with those kids anymore. Take pictures of the wounds. Take your son to the doctor. Have it all documented. If anything similar happens again, you will then have all the facts and will also know you didn't do anything rash that might completely ruin those kids futures. It sounds like they're going to have a hard enough time as it is.

Answer 2

Today I am a 57 year old man.

As a boy, when I was 10 I was shot in the face by another boy who was about the age of these boys and who was playing with a BB gun.

I was very angry and complained to my father. My father talked to the other boy's father. The other boy's father took the BBgun away from him.

Fortunately my father never called the police. The boy who shot me later became a good friend of mine and we have been good friends ever since. I am grateful that my father never called the police.

What is important is that the boy who shot me did not really intend to hurt me. He was just playing from his perspective, even though for me from my perspective it was rather painful, and I realize that it could have been devastating for me because he only missed my eye by about an inch.


If the police had become involved there would have been nothing but hard feelings all the way around.

It is hard for me to tell the motivations from where I sit. If it was just horseplay a stern response from a parent will correct the problem. I think that is a better solution than the police.

If the boys with the BB guns are really vicious and make a practice of this behavior and the parents cannot stop the behavior, then I think that it is time to call the police.

Answer 3

I agree with mbafromuiu ... your son HAS been assaulted. I don't think that their children would need Counseling.. but maybe something else..

And if you feel that it's the right thing to do.. to press charges, then do so.
Don't just stand there.

If I was a Mom (( Ha.. I wish )) and I saw that my son has been shot on the buttocks and had some wounds on his wrist and etc. I would talk to him thoroughly with him. Then I would go over to the children's house and talk to the parents about it, that they should talk to THEIR kids about it. and how it was wrong.. But seriously, those kids has serious issues. and for a 15 year old doing that to a 13 year old? That's sad. As they say, "Pick on someone your own size"

My personal opinions of what you should do is press charges..
First, take up A LOT of good reasons before doing so too.. Though, I think you already do..

Other than that,
Good luck.
&& sorry about your son.

**Edited**
Don't press charges yet, let it go and talk to them about it..
if you hear or see that your son is being shot with the bb gun again, THEN I think that you should press charges.

Answer 4

Being that you are neighbors and dont want to ruin a relationship with someone that close. I would tell the parents of the owner of the guns that you want them in your possesion. If they say no because they took them away press charges against all parties but act quick. The kids that used the gun can get charged with theft as well as assault. Your kids come first remember that. Good luck.

Answer 5

I would make a police report. That is not the same as filing charges. Let the police make that decision. File the report just to let the parents know you took this seriously. A 15 yr old and 13 yr old are old enough to know not to point a gun at someone. You should seek medical attention if necessary just so everything is documented.

Answer 6

I hear you and I realize that you are upset that your son was hurt. But as the father of two boys (who are now men) I have been on both sides of this street. Sometimes teenage boys do stupid things. This includes your son. You need to ask yourself, if the roles were reversed and your son did the shooting and you found out would you expect your neighbors to let you handle it or would you want them to take you to court?

Treat others as you would want to be treated. If the boy's parents are taking this incident seriously and are doing something about it, I would let it go. However, if they did not take it seriously or if they were dismissive of the whole thing Then I would file charges.

.

Answer 7

Press charges, also take the kid to the doctor and get the money for that from the parents as well. It is possible to die from a BB gun. This article puts it at four deaths a year.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/01/health/main652543.shtml

Answer 8

If you see them out in the next week or so with the guns then take legal action! That will show you if the parents are serious and will keep them put up, if they let the kids have them again then that's dangerous for you and your family.

If it was my kids with the guns I would have trashed them right away instead of putting them in a closet, leaving it open for more irresponsibility in the future... that's just crazy!

Answer 9

13 YO boys are dealing with a great replace. The greater suitable testoterone of their physique makes them greater agressive. in spite of the undeniable fact that the lack of ability of understand is greater complicated to handle. It possibly has been simmering for years yet you the two did no longer take care of or did no longer understand it for what it particularly is. you need to permit some issues blow over and not respond. %. you battles and win those. If he does not pay attention, eliminate a privlege. Its no longer you that is being raised, how issues have been once you have been his age are irrelevent and could be taken care of that way in any problem. he's the baby you are the parent. you mustn't bring up how issues have been once you have been youthful, and while he does, you tell him the present problem has no longer something to do with your infants.

Answer 10

depends on what country you are based in BUT that apart suggest you call the police at once, and take pictures of your sons injuries.

Put it this way the next time your son gets shot at it MIGHT be his eye and then where will you be, a half blinded son and the little snot still has his guns............

How did the other kids parents deal with it, was it it a oh boys will be boys BS or did they look like they was going to beat him....................

regards