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Police kill armed eighth-grader in Texas school

Not understanding violence doesn't make the violence itself senseless which is why the label is without merit. Moreover, while a single cause is likely not responsible for all violent actions like the one described in the OP, school shooters tend to share distinct characteristics. Consequently, if we understand the causes of those characteristics among others they might share in addition to any individual circumstances that increase one's chances of committing such violent acts, then those acts may be prevented.

Maybe the best the average person can do is teach their children, but not "any of us". There are certain some of us like psychiatrists, educators and others, who can do much more.

Not entirely sure this is accurate. But to each his own.
 
I believe, if practical, students should be punished more severly for bullying, because obviously it's not being addressed enough.

they've implimented far more strict "anti-bullying" policies . . . but sometimes they backfire - my 2nd son has been in "trouble" in situations where he was not at fault for what happened. If school officials had more common sense - and didn't go too far, too fast and overeacted to everything these days then there would be less of a chance for backfire when they impliment heavier policies.

We've taken away judgement and caution and replaced it all with act-before-you-think policies.
 
I am sure someone has already mentioned it, but the kid had a pellet gun. The parents believe the police overreacted, and the police chief is saying they did the right thing.

Sad day.
 
I am sure someone has already mentioned it, but the kid had a pellet gun. The parents believe the police overreacted, and the police chief is saying they did the right thing.

Sad day.

It is a sad day, since the kid pointed a realistic pellet gun at police. Understandably, the parents are grieving, so it's natural they'd think the police overreacted.
 
It is a sad day, since the kid pointed a realistic pellet gun at police. Understandably, the parents are grieving, so it's natural they'd think the police overreacted.

I think the police were in their right. I was just updating on the news that was coming out today.
 
It is a sad day, since the kid pointed a realistic pellet gun at police. Understandably, the parents are grieving, so it's natural they'd think the police overreacted.

What did the parents expect? Were the officers supposed to wait until they were actually taking fire before responding in kind? If that picture is the pellet gun the kid was carrying, it looks like a good enough replica of a Glock that I'd feel threatened if someone was brandishing one at me. I feel for the parents, I really do, but the officers on scene really wouldn't have had any other option. Pellet gun or not, this kid forced their hand.
 
What did the parents expect? Were the officers supposed to wait until they were actually taking fire before responding in kind? If that picture is the pellet gun the kid was carrying, it looks like a good enough replica of a Glock that I'd feel threatened if someone was brandishing one at me. I feel for the parents, I really do, but the officers on scene really wouldn't have had any other option. Pellet gun or not, this kid forced their hand.
Grief does not often beget rationality and understanding.

Consequently, as Wake said, it's understandable that the parents would question the police officers' actions.
 
The kid probably didn't consider that it looked real to the cops. He probably thought, "It's not real, they won't shoot me." He was wrong. The police were justified in shooting him.
 
Face it, if the kid was 15 and still in the eighth grade, he clearly wasn't the brightest porchlight on the block.
 
I know if some kid pointed that thing at me I would most likely wet myself.

It's just all around sad. Death by stupid. Happens all the time at that age. Kids run out into streets. Just all kinds of stupid **** can get ya killed.

Sad for everybody involved.

Before the grace of God go I.
 
Face it, if the kid was 15 and still in the eighth grade, he clearly wasn't the brightest porchlight on the block.

You just insulted every child who started school late because of their birthday. :roll: . . . do you win an award?
 
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Police shot and killed an armed eighth-grader who "engaged" officers in the main hallway of his middle school on Wednesday, the South Texas school district said.Brownsville school district officials said administrators immediately called police after the student brandished a weapon about 8 a.m., shortly after classes started at Cummings Middle School. When police arrived, the student "engaged" the officers and was shot, district spokeswoman Drue Brown said in an emailed statement.


Police kill armed eighth-grader in Texas school - National News - bellinghamherald.com


As bad as I feel for the family of the boy, I feel tenfold for the cops. This will mess them up I would think.
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What a horrible situation all around.

j-mac
 
You just insulted every child who started school late because of their birthday. :roll: . . . do you win an award?

Pretty sure that 15 in the eighth grade ain't a "birthday" thing....
 
Age 15 would mean either a failed grade or being held back for a second year of kindergarten. The kids in eight grade are normally 13 or 14 depending on their b-day.
 
Pretty sure that 15 in the eighth grade ain't a "birthday" thing....

I was thinking that same thought. I was 15 when I was a sophmore in high school.
 
So what can we surmise from all of this: The first point is that school shooters are outcasts. The second is that they tend to be good/average students. The fact that they range from good to average leads me to conclude that their parents do have some sort of involvement in their lives and the reasons kids resort to violence has nothing to do with "bad parenting" but available means.
(sorry for the late response I have been kind of busy)

All of this is well and good. It is actually very informative. I think you missed something very important though. If a child is bullied they should know how to respond. I myself was bullied all the way into my senior year of high school. Most people are bullied in some form or another through school. The part about parenting is that a parent must teach their child how to respond to confrontation. Also didn't Cho live in a dorm or apartment? I mean I am hesitant to blame his parents, but shouldn't they have been aware enough to know their son(he was not a child) was not fit to live the way he did?

I will say this though. Like I said there are 100 different issues that this incident could be, and the prudent response would be to learn about the psychology of a mass shooter and how to CATCH that kind of behavior before it happens. In the instance of police they have learned and teach cadets in police academy now to instantly respond to an active shooter. That is the only way to contain them. When an active shooter is met with armed resistance they really only have 3 responses: surrender, shoot at the cops, or commit suicide. All of these options are prefferable to police than shooting bystanders. That is what makes this situation sad too. That police responded properly and were not given a choice.
 


This is the police radio during the shooting. I don't have the heart to listen to it, but it may help those who are wondering if the police action was or was not justified.
 
Age 15 would mean either a failed grade or being held back for a second year of kindergarten. The kids in eight grade are normally 13 or 14 depending on their b-day.

True.

I was held back in the 3rd grade because I spent quite a bit of time sick and in the hospital - had surgery . . . had to repeat. So I was 15 and in 8th grade. I'm not stupid: I'm still clinging to my 4.0 in college and have proven myself quite capable in my life.

So I take it personally, and you even know it's wrong to make such crass and snide statements: his age doesn't matter and doesn't mean he was ignorant. Perhaps bringing a pretend gun to school and engaging the police after picking a fight was stupid - but age/grade isn't an indicator of much of anything pertinent.

I really expect adults to be more curteous, respectful or less snide when it comes to things such as that - maturity please.
 
Wow - all I feel is sad. I have no strong opinion. Just sad.

Sad a child can get ahold of a weapon so easily.
Sad no one knew he had it.
Sad he took it to school - sad he did anything.
Sad no one stopped it before it ended in a tragic death.
Sad that everyone was so terrified - no doubt imagining Columbine and other tragedies while they waited without knowing
Sad that they didn't just shoot to disarm or maim - but to kill.
Sad that this type of situation is becoming more common place and the killing of armed children is actually occurring more frequent in our world.

We're there warning signs - notions - thoughts - threats? Anything before this happened?

I'm sad the Gun Free Zone helped him feel safe enough to do it.
 
What a horrible situation all around.

j-mac

Agreed. There are no winners in situations like this. Only questions and pain for all involved.
 
Do you support making Middle Schools a Condition Hot, Weapons Free Zone?

I don't know what that is, but I support allowing anyone who has a CCW to carry on school grounds.
 
I don't know what that is, but I support allowing anyone who has a CCW to carry on school grounds.

Like teachers and staff - as well as anyone who walks onto campus?

So we can turn our schools into an all out warzone - yeah, smart. I don't think that would help - it would just worsen our problems. Just because someoen HAS a permit to carry doesn't mean they know how to handle it or keep it out of the hands of others.
 
I don't know what that is, but I support allowing anyone who has a CCW to carry on school grounds.
Either you supporting that 15 year old 8th Graders be allowed to have a CCW or you are just making hay. Which is it?
 
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