Of seven shootings, the oldest is 23, college kid shot mistaken as burglar

Family of 12-year-old Levelland boy said shooting was accidental; hospital confirms boy is recovering well

Levelland, Tx (3-20-16) Family members of a 12-year-old Levelland boy who was reportedly shot in the head Saturday afternoon said the shooting was accidental.

His older sister, 18-year-old Heaven Garcia, said she has two children of her own and the accident left her terrified, yet thankful at the same time.

She said while she did not see the accident, she heard a loud “boom.” When she walked into the living room, she said, she saw what had happened and called 911.  “He had blood running down his face and it was ashy,” she said.

Levelland police responded before 1 p.m. to the house in the 1400 block of 12th Street. Police said they had received several 911 calls to the home in reference to the gunshot victim.  When they arrived, police said, they found the boy had been shot in the head by a 34-year-old man. Soon after, police determined it was a possible accidental discharge of a weapon.

He was taken to Covenant Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Lubbock where a hospital representative said he was in stable condition, possibly good condition.

The boy’s other sister, 16-year-old Audrie Garcia, said the accident occurred as her mother was showing a male relative a few firearms.

“My mom wanted to get rid of the guns,” she said.

The male relative was looking at the guns on the bed while the boy was in the room’s closet, she said.

After hearing the noise, she said, she walked into the room and saw her brother on the floor in the closet. She said her mother begin yelling for her to call 911.

Older sister Heaven said her brother was doing fine, although he does have some pellets embedded in his face and shoulder.  Both Heaven and Audrie said they are thankful that was the extent of his injuries.  “I want people to know that he’s fine,” Audrie said. “He’s going to heal well, and thank you for all the prayers.”

Levelland police said the case is under investigation.    lucinda.holt@lubbockonline.com

http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-03-19/family-12-year-old-levelland-boy-said-shooting-was-accidental-hospital#.Vu5eGhyxWrg




Police: New Castle Avenue shooting accidental, self-inflicted

Wilmington, De (3-19-16) A shooting on the 300 block of New Castle Ave. in Wilmington, that left a 15-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest, was accidental and self-inflicted, police said.

Further investigation indicated the 15-year-old teen retrieved a handgun from inside of his residence, went into the backyard of the residence where a number of other juvenile family members were present, Sgt. Andrea Janvier, a Wilmington police spokeswoman said. The teen began spinning the handgun around in his hands and accidentally shot himself once in the chest, Janvier said.

A 911 call was received from within the residence alerting police to the shooting, Janvier said. Wilmington police patrol officers responded to the shooting about 4:16 p.m., Janvier said. However, the victim was taken to the Wilmington Hospital by private vehicle prior to police arrival, Janvier said.

The teen was transported to Christiana Hospital where he is listed in critical condition, Janvier said.

Members of the Criminal Investigative Division are currently investigating this incident and anyone with information is asked to call (302) 576-3620.   No further information is available at this time.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2016/03/19/scanner-police-investigating-new-castle-shooting/82020226/




Man found shot in face in Cicero

Cicero, In (3-19-16) A 20-year-old man was seriously injured Saturday when he was shot in the face in Cicero, police said.

The unidentified victim had a single gunshot wound to the face from an accidental discharge, according to a news release from Cicero Police Chief Dave Hildebrand. No foul play is suspected, he said.

The shooting occurred at about 1:27 p.m. in the 1400 block of Stringtown Pike in the town in northern Hamilton County.  The victim was flown by medical helicopter to St. Vincent Indianapolis hospital.

No information on his medical condition was available at this time.  This story will be updated.

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/03/19/man-found-shot-face-cicero/82018866/




University of Akron football player injured after teammate accidentally shoots him

AKRON, OH (3-19-16) A University of Akron football player is recovering after his teammate accidentally shot him in the stomach just after 3 a.m. Saturday.

According to Akron police, Scott Boyett, 23, shot teammate Andrew Pratt, 22, when he entered his apartment without knocking.  Boyett believed Pratt was a burglar.

No charges will be filed since both men agreed the shooting was accidental.  Pratt was taken to a local hospital, but his injuries are not life-threatening.

The University of Akron athletics website lists Pratt as a senior wide receiver from Green, Ohio. Boyett is listed as a junior offensive lineman from Santa Rosa, California.

http://fox8.com/2016/03/19/university-of-akron-football-player-injured-after-teammate-accidentally-shoots-him/





15-year-old killed in Cedar Rapids shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (3-19-16) For the second time in just over six months, a 15-year-old has been shot and killed in Cedar Rapids.

The circumstances of the shooting that led to Senquez Jackson’s death remain under investigation, but Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said Saturday night the incident does not appear to be an “intentional assault.”

Jerman said investigators have interviewed the person believed to have pulled the trigger. At this time, the shooting is being treated as a death investigation.

“It’s another tragic loss of life,” Jerman said. “It didn’t need to happen, shouldn’t have happened, but it happened. It’s tragic from all aspects.”

Senquez Jackson was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m. Saturday, less than 24 hours after police, fire and emergency responders were called to 1424 Bever Ave. SE for a shooting. That call came in at 5:45 p.m. Friday.

Jackson was found inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. Jerman said the shooting took place inside the residence. Officials are working to confirm whether or not Jackson lived at the Bever Avenue residence.

Jackson’s shooting does not appear to be intentional at this time, Jerman said. Authorities are working to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident.

“There are still more interviews that need to be completed by investigators, and then we need to look at what the facts and evidence are once more of those interviews are completed,” Jerman said. “It does not indicate it was a drive-by or assault.”

Jerman said police have spoken with the shooter and other people inside the residence at the time of the shooting. He declined to say whether the shooter is in custody at this time.

“He’s been spoken to,” he said, adding that everyone inside the house appears to have been acquainted with each other.

Jackson’s death also marks the second time in just more than six months that a 15-year-old was killed in southeast Cedar Rapids. Aaron Richardson was shot near 16th Street and Park Avenue SE on Sept. 6, 2015. He died of those injuries.

A then-14-year-old, Robert Humbles was arrested in connection with Richardson’s killing. Humbles originally was charged with first-degree murder in Richardson’s death, but pleaded last December to voluntary manslaughter, reckless use of a firearm resulting in serious injury and going armed with intent.

Humbles admitted during the plea hearing to shooting and killing after two rival groups had exchanged threats through text messages and on Facebook.

Humbles faces 25 years in prison but, according to the plea agreement, he is being prosecuted as a youthful offender, which means he will be placed in a youth residential treatment center or more restrictive facility, such as the Eldora State Training School for Boys, until he turns 18.

Joseph P. Perkins, 24, was found dead at Cedar Valley Townhomes on Feb. 23 after police responded there for reports of multiple gunshots. Another man was also shot, but his wounds were non-life threatening. No arrests have been made in that case.

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/linn-county/15-year-old-killed-in-cedar-rapids-shooting-20160319




Police: Man, 19, shot inside University Heights restaurant

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH (3-18-16) A 19-year-old man is expected to recover after he was shot inside an after-hour party at a restaurant early Friday, Cincinnati police said.

The teen was hit in the left leg in Elephant Walk Cincinnati Ethiopian and Indian Restaurant on McMillan Street in University Heights about 1:30 a.m., said Lt. Tim Brown, the night chief.

The victim walked out of the restaurant and down the street to a nearby Waffle House, Brown said.

He was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center and is expected to recover.

Police are investigating, but say so far no one has come forward to say they witnessed the alleged attack.

http://www.fox19.com/story/31501372/police-man-19-shot-inside-university-heights-restaurant




14-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Himself In Leg

NASHVILLE, Tn (3-19-16) Officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department opened an investigation after a juvenile was shot.

The incident happened in the 1500 block of Charlotte Avenue outside of Capitol Point apartments Saturday night.

Witnesses told police a 14-year-old accidentally shot himself in the leg.

He was rushed to the hospital. Authorities said his injuries were non-life threatening.

No further details were available.

http://www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/14-year-old-accidentally-shoots-himself-in-leg