Accidental Shooting of Maryland 11-Year-old by His Little Brother - No Charges

The Washington Post reports An 11-year-old boy was killed by his 8-year-old brother in an accidental shooting Saturday in Harford County, Md. The 11-year-old, who lived in Pylesville, was shot in the head in local woods, the authorities said. Deputies were told at first that an unknown person had fired from an unknown direction, but they found a handgun hidden in the woods. Authorities said the older boy was shot accidentally by his brother as they were playing. The gun had been taken from a secured area on the property of an elderly neighbor when the boys went to his house to help with yardwork. No charges had been filed, and the county prosecutor’s office would review the incident, authorities said. First of all, the gun was obviously NOT stored in a secure area. Secure means little kids cannot get it. The gun owner should be held responsible. Secondly, where do you think an 8-year-old learned to hide a gun and lie about the shooting shortly after such a traumatic event? That sounds nearly impossible unless he had adult assistance. That person should be held accountable. What is it with the response to these offenses of negligence? Is everybody so shocked and saddened that they lose their minds?  Are they so overwhelmed by the tragedy of it that they fail to see whose responsible? It was just an accident, they say. What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.