Oklahoma Police Kill 5-Year Old Boy While Shooting at Snake

[hatt]

People that draw conclusions on the events and the actions of those involved based on media reports never cease to amaze me. You werent there, and neither was the person writing the "story."

I can understand debating possibilities, but to directly say the officer was irresponsible based on what little info there is, is rediculous in my opinion.

I expect this BULLSHIT on dumber boards.

Are you serious? Unless the officer's bullet didn't strike the boy. I'd sure like to hear an any explanation explaining how the officer didn't act irresponsibly in dealing with a snake in a tree.

[Dport]

I posted this as a lesson and a reminder to always observe Rule #4 and to not do stupid things with guns. I did not comment on the police. I have no idea what happened. I will delete the post if is inappropriate.

I don't think it is inappropriate at all. While we don't know for a certainty that the shot was fired by the police officer's gun, the circumstances serve as a good reminder for rule #4.

I have been in the same position. I was asked by my mother-in-law to kill some pests at her house. It is way out in the boonies. However, shooting the pests with a .22lr would have required elevating the gun and bullet path that I was not comfortable with because I had no idea what was beyond the "target". So I did the responsible thing, I sought different methods of eliminating the pests.

I have also worked as a police officer in a small town and have been called out to destroy animals hit by cars. Backstop was always a consideration.

[Looey]

I don't think it is inappropriate at all. While we don't know for a certainty that the shot was fired by the police officer's gun, the circumstances serve as a good reminder for rule #4.

I have been in the same position. I was asked by my mother-in-law to kill some pests at her house. It is way out in the boonies. However, shooting the pests with a .22lr would have required elevating the gun and bullet path that I was not comfortable with because I had no idea what was beyond the "target". So I did the responsible thing, I sought different methods of eliminating the pests.

I have also worked as a police officer in a small town and have been called out to destroy animals hit by cars. Backstop was always a consideration.

+1 i also agree that the actions taken were inappropriate, there should have been a different course of action. shoot at a snake in a tree???? i little bit of common sense can go a long way.

[jswanson]

So, was the officer firing "up" at the tree...? I wonder how tall the kid was...? Did the bullet hit a branch and get redirected downward...? If so, would it be able to sustain enough power to travel 200 yds...and penetrate. None this makes a whole lot of sense.

Sad for everyone involved...

[the1911fan]

Five-year-old Austin Haley was shot in the head and killed Friday night when a Noble, OK police officer shot at a snake killing it and apparently the five-year-old. The boy was fishing at a pond nearby with his grandfather Jack Tracy at the time.

Speaking of the 9mm bullet, Tracy said, “It went right through the back of his head and came out the front. He was just bleeding severely and I knew, right then, he was most likely dead, right there.”

The first bullet missed Tracy and his grandson. He pulled the boy close to his side protectively just before the second bullet struck the boy in the head

^^^For those looking to blame someone other than the suspected shooter LEO/LEO's ^^^^^

The Grandfather by protectively grabbing his grandson unknowingly moved the
child into the bullets path, a contributing factor at the very least

[Frank Castle]

The Grandfather by protectively grabbing his grandson unknowingly moved the
child into the bullets path, a contributing factor at the very least

That has to be the dumbest statement in this entire thread. The grandfathers actions were parental instincts. Any parent/guardian in his position would have acted in a similar manner.

[Jay Cunningham]

That has to be the dumbest statement in this entire thread. The grandfathers actions were parental instincts. Any parent/guardian in his position would have acted in a similar manner.

I know that sarcasm can be difficult to detect on the internet, so you may want to re-read that post and think about it.

[Ellery Holt]

There's people here getting upset at others for presuming that the officer is responsible for the boy's death. There's no need to stress about what others may think. If OK is anything like OR, the officer in question has nothing to worry about. So much hand-wringing in the face of long established precident is silly. Relax people.

[CarlosDJackal]

This situation sucks all around and my prayers go to all involved.

You have to wonder just what are the chances that two rounds that were fired up into a tree would (a) land in the same area; and (b) hit one of two persons who was anywhere near that particular area.

When I was attending AVOBC and IERW at Fort Rucker, AL; they had an incident where one (or two) individuals who were flying radio-controlled aircraft in a Stagefield were hit by stray .22 rounds. As it turned out, acouple of the local kids were shooting Snapping turtles at a pond about a mile away. Somehow the rounds skipped right off the pond (or a turtle's shell) and managed to find their mark.

This is why I use shotshells to dispatch snakes and field mice around my backyard. I also use those "Colibri" .22s (no powder) out of my .22 revolver to kill squirells because they do not have enough reach to get past 50 yards. Even then I never not shoot upwards and I am cognizant of what is behind the tree my target is on (usually another tree).

[the1911fan]

I know that sarcasm can be difficult to detect on the internet, so you may want to re-read that post and think about it.

I thought the emoticons would make it clear that my point was utter sarcasm.

Ellery, I imagine your statement goes to the supervisor being the one to take the majority or all of the responsibility for the rookies actions and even the sarge is not responsible legally as an individual. The city is going to be deemed ultimately (financially) vicariously responsible for the actions of the officers. The city will attempt to paint the supervisor and officer as not following procedure/ general orders/ SOP's and distance themselves from the officers. If the fatal round did come from the officers attempt to kill the snake the city/cities insurance co. will be out millions in a settlement.

I sincerely hope that the investigation finds that a round fired from another source was the fatal round.

On LEO websites there is little sympathy for the officers/ their actions