GUILTY OK - Austin Haley, 5, killed by cop shooting at snake, Noble, 3 Aug 2007

[Paladin]

I used hockey sticks when I was a kid.

 

[White Rain]

I saw an episode on Cops where they used the nightstick to kill a snake. Since these cops decided to use a gun I am willing to say I bet they were terrified of the snake as well.

 

[Nova]

I saw an episode on Cops where they used the nightstick to kill a snake. Since these cops decided to use a gun I am willing to say I bet they were terrified of the snake as well.

Or just showing off. :loser:

(I love the "loser" emoticon but I'm never sure how to use it. Can somebody help me? I don't want my friend, White Rain, to think it refers to her.)

 

[poco]

Why was he trying to kill the snake?.......what a senseless and tragic act that cost a little boy his life.

That's what I'd like to know. I would think someone else would respond to this call besides a police officer..... Aren't they suppose to be out catching criminals and such.... I am sure that the "shooter" however feels horrible. Poor guy has to live with this the rest of his life.

 

[Boyzmomee]

Local LE was trying to shoot a snake out of tree. This will go under revue and I believe the officer will be brought up on whatever they can find for neglect for him. It was a very horrible accident, but as it stands...he should never have fired his weapon for such. The mother stated the bullet entered directly into the back of the child's head and exited from the forehead. It was a deadly shot no matter how it happened. Very sad and very accidental, IMO. Sad that the officer will pay for it, but if he is proven to be negligent...he did cost a young life.

The child paid dearly.... as did his family.

 

[White Rain]

Or just showing off. :loser:

(I love the "loser" emoticon but I'm never sure how to use it. Can somebody help me? I don't want my friend, White Rain, to think it refers to her.)

You know you meant it towards me. :slap: J/k!!!!!!

 

[dark_shadows]

That's what I'd like to know. I would think someone else would respond to this call besides a police officer..... Aren't they suppose to be out catching criminals and such.... I am sure that the "shooter" however feels horrible. Poor guy has to live with this the rest of his life.

My very dear sweet Poco,:blowkiss:
Yes LE is supposed to be out catching criminals. Taxpayers pay for the town or city to employ Animal Control Officers. I was an Animal Control Officers and I was on the payroll of the city. We were on call and were required to respond at any hour. It was not the up to LE to respond to my calls. There are policies to be followed.

All of my Love and Respect to you,
dark_shadows

 

[nanandjim]

I wonder what charges would be filed against an ordinary citizen who killed an innocent child while firing his weapon at a snake in a tree? Do you think that this citizen would at the very least be charged with negligent homicide?

I think this police officer should at the very least be charged with negligent homicide and lose his job. How very sad that this little boy was killed while he was fishing by a police officer who is supposed to be trained to use his weapon in a safe manner.

 

[White Rain]

I wonder what charges would be filed against an ordinary citizen who killed an innocent child while firing his weapon at a snake in a tree? Do you think that this citizen would at the very least be charged with negligent homicide?

I think this police officer should at the very least be charged with negligent homicide and lose his job. How very sad that this little boy was killed while he was fishing by a police officer who is supposed to be trained to use his weapon in a safe manner.

I am sure any ordinary citizen would NO doubt be charged with something.
I hope this cop will take some kind of responsibilty...I just could not live if I hurt anyone, physically at least...I have to much of a conscience.

 

[dingo]

His thoughtless actions caused the death of an innocent child....I think he needs to be held accountable whether he is a police officer or not....to me him being a PO makes him even more negligent

 

[SadieMae]

This officer was clearly negligent! From my understanding, an officer is never to pull their weapon unless they are in immediate danger. The snake was in the tree for gosh sakes, not a threat to anyone. Animal control should have handled this. And depending on the size of the snake, he'd have to be sharpshooter to nail it. It's obvious he was not a good shot. I sure hope this man is not sleeping nights over his stupidity, because I know this child's parents are not sleeping well. I feel he should be charged with something for taking this child's life.

 

[Texana]

Dear Texana,:blowkiss:

I remember watching my grandmother lop the head off from a snake in the backyard with one whack. All that she had with her was her ho.

All of my Love and Respect to you,
dark_shadows

Your grandma would have liked my grandma, I'm sure. (They both probably came from the day when you didn't waste a bullet on a snake, either.)

 

[dark_shadows]

Your grandma would have liked my grandma, I'm sure. (They both probably came from the day when you didn't waste a bullet on a snake, either.)

Oh my dear Texana,:blowkiss: :blowkiss:
You brought back such fond memories of my grandmother. You are right, she would have not wasted a bullet on a snake.

All of my Love and Respect to you,
dark_shadows

 

[oceanblueeyes]

What a terrible totally unnecessary tragedy.

Yes, it is.

I am somewhat shocked that a police officer would shoot where the bullet would go into the water. When projectiles are shot into the water many times they will ricochet back due to the water acting like a wall since the water is heavy and dense and the bullet is unable to pierce it but it will spin backward and ricochet. Even if the bullet goes to the bottom it can strike rocks and that too can make the bullet ricochet. As a police officer he should have known shooting around any kind of water is risky.

It is tragic.....I don't think he stopped and really thought but he shouldn't have been shooting anyway without making sure everyone was a way from him and the fishing area.

I know this officer has to be devastated that this happened and I feel so sorry for this little boy's family.

Every man I have ever known never had to have a gun to kill a snake.

imoo

 

[s_finch]

Why was he trying to kill the snake?.......what a senseless and tragic act that cost a little boy his life.

Does it state anywhere that this was a poisonous snake? Why in the world would you shoot a snake up in a tree anyway, I mean the snake isn't going to bite anyone up there. Personally, seems to me the officer didn't use good judgement at all.

 

[s_finch]

Not if you are raised in Oklahoma. We don't care for snakes much here. Most aren't the garden variety....ok some are, but we are scared of em anyway. We have copperheads, rattlesnakes, etc. as the majority of our snake population here. OK I don't know about majority as far as their county...only where I was raised. OK maybe I was the only one who was scared to death of em...and would want them dead. or not.

Rattlesnakes and copperheads don't climb trees, you need to watch for them on the ground, and for cottonmouths in/near the water and low lying brances over the creek.

I agree, why would you waste a bullet on a snake! My granddaddy always kept a rat snake (black snake) in his garage in town to prevent mice infestation. Recently we found we have a snake who lives down by the water under our boat, it's either a black racer or a rat snake----I wouldn't let hubby kill him and I named him after my granddaddy. We southern girls are just sentimental like that!

 

[MissieMt]

Ohhhhh, this is down right rediculous.
Just reading it has me beyond ticked off. Negligent to say the least, but I think down right empty headed is a better label. I hope he is thrown in jail-there is absolutely no excuse for this.
I could understand if he was responding to a serious call that required him to pull his weapon and fire, that would be a tragic accident. But this-there is no way he would get away with this if it were my child.

 

[MissieMt]

I apologize if this update has been posted...
"The Noble Police Department usually keeps a part-time animal control officer on staff, Daves said.

That position is vacant and the department was advertising for the job, he said."

more at link:
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_218133057.html

ETA: Just in case this story hasn't made you cry your eyes out yet:
http://www.cushingdaily.com/statenews/cnhinsall_story_218085614.html

 

[Angels_Not_Forgotten]

Oh no!! How horrible! I am with some of you, what in the WORLD?! That was so irresponsible!

 

[Peter Hamilton]

UPDATE: Two Noble Oklahoma police officers have been charged with second-degree manslaughter for negligently killing a 5 year old boy while shooting at a non-poisonous snake in a tree--The charges bring a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison