Teen Sentenced After A Gun In His Backpack Fired At Classmates

April 11, 2011 4:30 PM

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LONG BEACH (CBS) —A Gardena High School student was sentenced to nine months in juvenile camp today after bringing a gun to campus that discharged in his backpack and injured two students.

According to police and prosecutors, the boy — whose name has not been released because of his age — carried a loaded 9 mm Beretta in his backpack to school on January 18, 2011. At 10:40 a.m. while in class, he reached inside the backpack and the gun fired a single bullet striking a 15-year-old boy in the neck and hitting a 15-year-old girl in the head. Both had to be hospitalized.

Long Beach Juvenile Court Judge Deborah Andrews imposed the term after the 17-year-old teen admitted one felony count each of possessing a firearm in a school zone and discharging a firearm in a school zone, according to Jane Robison of the District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors unsuccessfully sought to have him tried as an adult.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Los Angeles Unified School District Deputy Superintendent John Deasy said the district would conduct an assessment of all its high schools to ensure security procedures are being enforced.

Teen Sentenced After A Gun In His Backpack Fired At Classmates

Sam

Nine months!!!???

It should be more like nine years.

Den

The gun discharged accidentally
Putting this kid in with violent offenders
would give him an education in crime

Sam

Yeah, let’s feel sorry for the perpetrator, forget about the victims. Seems to be the status quo these days.
bounce

One of the first things you learn about firearms (hopefully) is that there is no such thing as an accidental gun discharge, there are only negligent discharges.

He’s 100% responbile for the consequences of his negligent, willful and unlawful behavior, and there should be no tolerance for it. Nine months in JC is a very light sentence for what he did — the two students who were injured are going to suffer far longer than he will.

thugs in the making: our kids

I agree, Sam, that it’s a short sentence for nearly killing at least one student, but nine years would’ve been too much. How about double the sentence in the juvenile camp?

First of all, the gun “accidentally” went off? I don’t think so. He would’ve had to have triggered the gun beforehand in order for it to fire even one bullet. You can’t accidentally do that simply by reaching in your backpack. Especially since this kid knew the gun was in there, so wouldn’t he have been cautious reaching in IF he didn’t intend to shoot anyone? Of cours he would have. I personally think this kid went to school that day with a vendetta and his plan was foiled.

Does anyone remember that the young girl had to have surgery on her skull which left a portion of it open because her brain was swelling? That’s not some “oops” bullet nick in the leg. That’s a near-death experience!

DMAN

I heard he got an easy sentence because he was a victim of threats by a Mexican-American gang called G13 or Gardena Trese. A gang that intentionally targets African-American men and teens, regardless if they are in a gang or not…Like F13 and 204st in Torrance…

Everyday Guy

The G13 gang is made up of cross-dressers in mini skirts and lipstick.

gwendollynn

I think nine months was a fair sentence given the outcome of this tragedy. I doubt that he will be so quick to pick up another firearm in the future and I agree with Den, that putting him with violent offenders would only enhance his education in criminal behavior.

Sam

I suppose a loaded Beretta being brought to school is tolerable, and we should be more concerned about the shooter’s future thatn the victims’.
bounce

>> I doubt that he will be so quick to pick up another firearm in the future.

Given that he admited to a felony I hope you are right, since he will now be prohibited from owning or being in possession of firearms. However, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that he’ll have contact with law enforcement agencies in the future and at some point will be found with another firearms.

Anonymous

Sam shut up -_-
Anonymous

Den I agree
Anonymous

Gwendollynn I agree
th world has gone mad

Nine months would not be enough if your kid got shot, when are our kids going to learn about serious consequences.
Thomas Forcade

The zero tolerance should have gotten one year.The negliable offence of accidently shooting someone one year.A two year sentence would be fair.With 3 years probation after release.
Lisa

Ok right. So someone puts a loaded gun into the backpack and its not LOCKED. The fact that it went off while he went into his backpack is enough to show it was intentional. 9 months is not enough time. He’ll come out in 9 months and do something worse. He’s got 9 months to plan his next crime. RIDICULOUS!
Rita of-Sunland

Camp? CAMP??? Nine months of “weenie-roast-s’more-campfire-ghost-story-short-sheet-the-counselor’s-sleeping-bag-Michael-rowed-the-boat-ashore-allelujah-99-bottles-of-beer-on-the-wall” CAMP?? This is BEYOND disgusting.
Mary

I think 9 months is fair; however, I think he should also pay restitution to the victims and MOST importantly, and like I shared when the story broke, he should have to spend 1000 hours speaking at schools about the dangers of bringing a gun to school. Truthfully, speaking at schools about this incident will probably change this guys life for the better – jail will only destroy him.
Josh Butts

I hope the parents of the shooter has to pick up the hospital bill tab for the 2 victims. Full Price!
TyKwaanJohnson

C’mon y’all. Give da homie a break. Whea da white girlz at?

Wally Wharton

(You’re my “Main Man,” Mr. Johnson–great comment!)

Pat

Probation camps , and Jails have proven to be just breeding grounds for future criminals
Matthew House, J.D.

Please refer to my video http://bit.ly/gZJyRU. If this act act was accidental, there are better & cheaper ways to rehabilitate him than to confine him. We pay tens of thousands of dollars per year per child to lock kids up, the vast majority of whom aren’t dangerous.

HOWEVER, if he is reckless or there was more intent behind his actions, he needs to be locked up for our safety, and I don’t see how nine months would be long enough to rehabilitate him adequately if he is a danger.
matt

good, maybe he’ll come out in nine months and blow this child abusing judge away with that very gun! Occupy judge Andrews: is on facebook check it out and see what a child abuser this idiot is.