Oklahoma Police Kill 5-Year Old Boy While Shooting at Snake

Source: Fox

NOBLE, Okla. — A stray bullet fired by a police officer trying to shoot a snake hit and killed a 5-year-old boy fishing at a nearby pond, officials said.

Austin Haley was fishing with his grandfather, Jack Tracy, Friday evening when Tracy said he heard a shot and saw a bullet hit the water just a few feet in front of the boat dock where he was standing.

Moments later, a second shot was fired that hit Austin in the head.

snip

Tracy has little doubt about what happened.

"I'm not saying the cop shot him on purpose," Tracy said. "It was an accident. But let me tell you — if I had a kid and put him in this car and didn't put him in a car seat and he got killed on the way to town, they'd charge me with murder ... and what this cop did is a lot worse than that."



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292168,00.html

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A firearm should never be discharged unless there is ZERO possibility that neither property nor an innocent bystander will be harmed or killed.

That is the first rule in the use of firearms and if this police officer is determined guilty of this tragic event he should be held accountable for this accident just as would member of the general public. Every shooting accident by the police should result in providing an awareness, so that it reduces the chances that a law enforcement officer will ever do this again.

That poor kid. What the fuck was this guy doing shooting at a snake anyway? He should be charged with reckless endangerment and manslaughter at least.

Shooting at a snake in a fucking tree is probably the dumbest gun stunt that I have ever heard.

And this little boy paid the price. That cop should be arrested (to clarify... I am a gun guy).

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ole boys shootin' at snakes. Must have been a boring day . Yes , he should be charged with murder.

The man-eating snake was reportedly hissing, so they were probably pissing in their panties.:scared:

I guess that's why they had to act fast and with total disregard for anyone else.

Insulting male officers by saying they had on panties is an unnecessary, misogynistic comment.

Why not say they were pissing their briefs or boxers?

:shrug:

I don't mean to attack you on this, I just want to point it out...

The posters use of the word panties was to insinuate they were shooting at the snake because they were possibly scared of it. More women being scared of snakes than men... yada yada yada.

The remark could be labeled sexist, not misogynistic. Just wanted to point that out...

that was a shot at women. "oooooh those good ol boy cops musta been pissin in their panties" is how I read it, it's rude. I was corrected years ago by a lady, and I haven't used those misogynistic references since.

The original poster was not showing a hatred, dislike or mistrust of women. The comment could be construed however as sexist.



There are all sorts of places where misogyny would be the appropriate word, this is not one of them.

Using "panties" to insult the officers' masculinity is misogynistic - they are even worse than cowardly and stupid - they are feminine!

That's my opinion.

what nonsense

If you want my opinion I must agree. Instead of worrying about the major problems facing the USA we need less who fret about the insinuation of pissing in their panties versus pissing my pants. But that's a discussion for another time.

who are in the slim majority of any diverse population - are being put down.

We have ongoing discussions at DU about how hurtful it is to use phrases like "how gay" -- and I am bringing up a relevant point about phrases and attitudes that are a turn off or are downright hurtful to some women.

It takes a relatively minor adjustment in attitude and behavior to stop insulting men by calling them "ladies" or "panty-waists" or "girls".

Hateful attitudes about women can lead to abuse, rape, and worse.

One of the first rules you learn in gun safety is never shoot towards a body of water as the bullets can likely skip and hit unintended targets.

The class was more to do with hunting therefore probably more involved with being in wooded and water areas.

on edit: Actually it must of been 7th or 8th grade cause I was in junior high.

We even got 2-3 days excused absence for hunting during hunting season.

If you owned a shotgun you could bring it. Many kids brought their shotgun on the school bus. The kids who didn't have a gun could either partner with someone who did or use on of the schools. The school had several shotguns for this purpose. Never an accident nor an intentional shooting that I ever heard of. This was in the late 1970's.

fell, off high riggings of old sailing ships, into the ocean, often suffered broken bones from the impact with the water surface. Similarly, a low angle bullet can ricochet from a water surface.

most likely it would not be a poisonous snake, thus harmless. I'm no herpetologist but most venomous snakes in my region seldom climb trees.

around here, especially in farm ponds. Still, this is no defense.

Whatever it was, it must have been pretty dangerous 'cause it sounds like it can dodge bullets.

hanging on a low laying branch over the water.

The ones down here in Florida are really fat, at least the ones I've seen. Big targets.

"water mocsin". Especially by those who consider "the only good snake is a dead snake"....

plus they are good for keeping populations of rodents down. Bites are unusual, and when they do happen there is anti-venom. I've known two people who were bit by venomous snakes, one was a rattle snake, the other was a child who didn't know what kind of snake bit him. Both were hospitalized, and the child was pretty sick, but each did fine.

are likely non-poisonous black rat snakes, etc. They are good for the environment and are often a protected species. No reason to shoot them especially in a neighborhood. I regularly transplant them to the deep woods where they can live without dealing with humans and phobias.

TRAGIC EVENT! Too bad we can't turn back the clock.

Wade refused to identify the officer suspected of firing the shots but said the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

THAT'S BULLSHIT. If it hadn't been a member of the law-enforcement elite, this guy would have given the media everything but a fucking DNA sample from the person under investigation. This is an example of law-enforcement corruption at it's depth.

Would it be a public record?

The thing is, they're going to make the media jump through the public record disclosure hoops to find out. If it were one of us and not a member of the law-enforcement caste, though, they'd have all the information they needed at their fingertips.

There are two standards, and the public pays the bill but gets the shaft.

Understanding only goes so far when cops start killing children because of their stupidity. I wouldn't blame any parent for retaliating in a fit of rage.

J

that they don't see. that's scary... if it's sorta dumb, like you looked down for your drink for 1 second then looked back up and kid ran out in the road, you'd already feel horrible enough for life... but this killing, it's a whole new ballgame, the guy was shooting at a snake in a TREE? where was this, Mayberry, USA? Seriously, what reason did he have for this. That poor family. The boy went fast, I would assume.

God bless 'em... YES, he needs tried for involuntary manslaughter! what can that get? 4 years?

J

Of course the thought that the policemen are actually armed obviously hasn't crossed your mind. One would think that one dead kid is more than enough.

J

Attacking police officers who got guns. I am not sure what would be the chance of them shooting it and actually hitting the intended target, but do you really want to find out?
:sarcasm:

It's so easy to appeal to reason when removed from the situation.

J

First of all, it was an accident.
Second of all, the grandfather did not know who shot the child.
A third of all, attacking a police officer (which is what you seem to be advocating here) was not going to bring the child back.

until things cool down, find the stupid asshole in an unguarded moment and put a slug right behind his ear.

Then of course you need to have me on the jury to make sure you are NEVER convicted of murder.

is an answer to what was clearly an accidental death.
While it's horrible that the child was killed, that policeman likely didn't even know the child was there when he shot at the snake. You think murder is appropriate punishment for that? There unlikely to be any like you on the jury, by the way.

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jury duty I've never been called but if called you can bet I will get to "serve".
By the way, it's not the child I'm so pissed about, it's the snake. :sarcasm:

At best it was negligence.

And someone in a rage over the killing of their child would not be "premeditating".

Not an accident? On what do you base that particular position?

Firing without being sure of the backdrop, i.e. where the bullet will go if you miss or go through the target.

It was an accidental shooting in the sense that he didn't mean to shoot the boy, but the fact that he wasn't aware the boy was in the line of fire qualifies the event as a negligent discharge.

Accidents are events that can't be avoided by people behaving with due prudence.

If it's not an accident, it on purpose?

Or are we now expanding the definition? :shrug:

Not really hard to understand. If you or I did it, we'd be charged with a crime or three.

First of all, it was an accident.
Second of all, the grandfather did not know who shot the child.
A third of all, attacking a police officer (which is what you seem to be advocating here) was not going to bring the child back.

Of course it won't; but it will keep the scumbag from killing someone else's child.

(Only the military and police should have guns -- Rosie O'Doughnuts)

manslaughter to me. He certainly should have known better.

out here homeowners call the cops and they will come shoot a rattlesnake
(not condoning that just stating a fact)
but IN A FREAKING TREE????!!!!:wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

That's just terrible. :cry:

What a horrible and tragic incident. My heart goes out to the little boy's family.

...what GeeDuhhhbya did when he invaded Iraq. How much did the idiot destroy and kill while shooting at his snake (Saddam)?

Like killing a cockroach with a Sherman tank. Pretty dumb.


In both cases. Pretty dumb.

Well -- not pretty. Just dumb.

:argh:

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid! The cop did murder this child. He should be tried in the courts accordingly.

He should at the very least lose his job.

Fucking morons. There was probably NO logical reason to shoot the snake, and with it being in a tree, it was unlikely an immediate danger to anyone.

They were doing it to be cruel assholes, and now a terrible tragedy has happened as a result of that wanton cruelty.

Sad that a child has to be killed for the media to have to raise an issue about how moronic and dangerous this sort of mentality is. "I'm and armed and idiotic redneck, therefore I reserve the right to kill anything I'm afraid of, don't agree with, don't understand, or that moves."

Nice. Well look what happens when you shoot at animals just to be a prick-wad.

They go to jail for a long time. When cops do it, they get a few days of paid vacation time. Another sorry example of the US justice system. And another example of how police are obviously more qualified to carry guns than civilians due to their rigorous training.

Every summer there are stories of people forgetting their kids in a car, resulting in a horrible deaths of these children. Some of these parents never go to jail for it.

What an assclown

I'd like to know more about His "training" or lack thereof

How sad :(

involves shooting snakes not be required to use CCI snake shot? CCI makes pistol cartridges made for shooting snakes and rodents. They maybe would put out an eye at 20 yards but wouldn't break the skin. Every Wal-mart around here sells them. This is so stupid and senseless. I'm a responsible gun owner and live on a farm. I don't shoot snakes (except with a camera) and only kill rodents in my home. The cop needs to be charged.

If there are so many snakes around OK why don't the cops carry a couple rounds of snakeshot?

and yet, had it been a civilian, they'd be in jail facing manslaughter charges at the very least. what a disgrace.

Let's see if the Anacondas like the taste of him.

Lookie here, Officer! Shotshells for a 9mm!
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=709816&t=11082005


Lookie here, Officer! Shotshells for a .40 S&W!
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=771297&t=11082005


Lookie here, Officer! Shotshells for a .45 Auto!
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=653594&t=11082005

snakeshot in 9mm and .45 semi auto pistols. I will cycle in some and not others but it isn't like he was shooting bad guys, hand cycle and shoot again...just too bad the idiot didn't leave the snake alone.

Unfortunately it won't bring that child back and the taxpayers in that community will end up paying for it. Although one can say that law enforcement in the community should have been better trained.

...no matter how much money they get, the room where that child slept will still be empty. As a father, I do not know how I would handle this.

Does anyone think that was the only damn snake in the area, its absolutely ridiculous for the cops to come out and try to shoot it. The cops involved should be charged with involuntary manslaughter at the very least.

ya know?

it is a sad freak accident, and the shooter will have to live with it forever, but this could have been EASILY prevented with a little precaution

Poisonous or not, it was in a tree. If I was the cop I would told the person who called to stay away from the tree. Cops are not pest control, if the person wanted the snake dead they should either do it themselves or call a pest control company.
I don't know about Oklahoma law but here in Tennessee it is illegal to kill snakes unless a life is in immediate danger.

you're really threatening it.

Morans.

even poisonous ones. Usually they use those "hooks" that act like clamps on poisonous snakes. This cop was a cowboy, fucking asshole.

I agree that wildlife control officers would have the means to remove and relocate this snake.

I have what they refer to as 50" compassionate snake tongs with a wide base because they don't hurt or upset the snake when you use them. It's the difference of being squeezed with pinchers or with wide base clamps.

One doesn't feel too good, the other is OK. If I find a snake in an area that I'd rather not have it, I simply transplant it to a state owned heavily wooded conservation area.

situation, not an asshole with a badge and a hair trigger.

Maybe someone cut class that day.

small town cops actually get. I taught classes for the Tulsa Auxiliary Police a very long time ago and I find this appalling.

Unless the officer is a SWAT member, most police receive very little firearms training before they hit the streets. Most of that training involves situational use, defending your firearms against at attacker, and showing that you can hit a target. There's no real special training in the use of the gun itself.

Even worse, most small town police departments have few requirements for ongoing training. I know an officer right now (a friends dad) who has been patrolling for 30+ years and who hasn't even FIRED his weapon for the last 5 or 6 because of hearing and joint issues (he's about ready to retire). I can't imagine what would happen if he actually needed to use it.

Just awful!!

As a parent/grandparent I would want to kill these idiots for what they did. I can't imagine what the family of the little boy must be going through.
Before I got a herd of free range laying hens I would get about five Rattlesnakes a year in my garden. I pick them up on a shovel and drop them into a five gallon bucket with a lid. I take them into the sage brush and let them go. Sometimes I sing 'Born Free' for good measure. The land around us belongs to us for hundreds of acres so I'm not putting them on anyone else's property. It seems like our Rattlesnakes are pretty mellow though. Most of the time they don't strike when I pick them up. They only get mean if my dog gives them a hard time. Our dogs do get bitten and get really swollen noses or cheeks. I give them Benadryl and it helps them. (The closest vet is 45 Min's away and he's often out on calls, the next vet is an hour away). I don't think these Rattlesnakes had very deadly venom but the dogs really have great pain when they are bitten. They hang their heads and slobber.

Over and over it's proven that the most trained people screw up with these death tools. Remember Congressman(NRA) Bob Barr shooting off a pistol at a fundraiser?

at all he would know that just turning the garden hose on the snake would have had a much better and less deadly result. And if he did have training then he is criminally responsible for that child's death.

Oklahoma, Texas or the South? Was this cop a relative of Dick Cheney?

Sounds like the cops here in Midland Texas.

The officers responded to a call around 7:30 p.m. Friday that involved a snake hanging from a bird house in the 300 block of Crest Lane in Noble, according to a statement released today by Noble Police Chief Ben Daves. This was Daves’ first official statement since the incident.

The yard at that location abuts a wooded field near a pond where two boys were fishing with their grandfather and great-grandfather.

The officers fired two shots at the snake, Daves said.

“They were waiting on the snake to quit wiggling when they heard the cries from the field,” he said.

One of the bullets from the 40-caliber gun struck five-year-old Austin Haley in the head. He was rushed to Norman Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_218133057.html

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents were told that officers decided to shoot the animal after being told there was a field behind them, said Jessica Brown, bureau spokeswoman.

"The first shot grazed the snake, and the second killed it,” Brown said.

Wade said he is 90 percent sure that the same bullet that killed the snake also killed Austin, but due to the trajectory of the shot and the fact that Austin and his grandfather were downhill, investigators have to be 100 percent certain.

http://newsok.com/article/3098884

Really, really stupid to fire a handgun at a hanging snake if you didn't have a solid backstop for the bullet. That bullet would pass right through a snake and keep on flying. Unfortunately the child was in the range of it. These officers need to be fired and the officer who fired the shot should be charged with same type of charge you'd hang on any careless act that resulted in a death. BTW, if you Google Earth Crest Lane, Noble OK - this is a neighborhood of a lot of houses with woods behind fields and woods behind the houses.

That poor child. :(

Was this snake about to attack? It sounds like it was escaping, hiding or just minding its own business. Sorry I haven't read the story. I can't stand Faux News.

Hadn't gotten a new one. That's why they sent the cops instead. Just google the story, it's on just about every major site - you don't have to go to Faux for it. I always prefer to go to the local media for followups on these kind of stories. More and current detail.

Man, but geez, you'd think that these guys would use some more common sense. Shooting a snake out of tree? I don't get it. If an officer feels threatened by it, call the fire department for a ladder, climb up nearer to the snake and shoot it at close range to lessen the chance of a stray bullet or just take an axe to it. I don't know. The snake shouldn't have been shot in the first place.

If the shooter was aiming upward at the snake, and the pond was at a lower elevation, it doesn't make sense that the bullet would have skipped off the water. Think of when you skip rocks in a pond. You have to make sure they are moving mostly parallel to the surface to get them to skip. My guess is that the police were shooting for fun and that the shot was fired horizontally. They are probably using the snake as an excuse. A bullet coming from a higher to a lower elevation as a result of loss of velocity wouldn't skip. My 2 cents.

And from what I read the shot did not skip off the water and strike the child.

Snake is hanging from birdhouse. That would probably be at eye level or just slightly higher. Behind birdhouse from near as I can tell from Google Earth the land is flat then drops to the pond. Bullets btw also drop as they cover distance.

Police fire first shot at snake which either misses or grazes snake. This is one grandfather reports hearing skip off the water.

Police fire second shot and again either misses or hits snake - no matter because a 40 cal bullet can go through a snake's body and keep on flying with some slight reduction in velocity. That second shot is apparently the one that hit the boy.

Remember even bullets fired straight up in the air do come down and have been known to kill people.

On edit reading a bit more on the story. The officer who fired the shots was a rookie, one-month out of the academy. He probably didn't have a lot of firearms training. I feel for him too, his life is ruined. He was accompanied by a 5-year vet shift supervisor who should've known better. There was also a 3rd officer there.

Sadly there are only losers in these events. But I'm a believer that losers that cause the event must pay a price so that it discourages others from ever being reckless. It's good that we all have consciences but it is better if we all know there will be repercussions when we are reckless.

Poor kid and his family.

I've got relatives in OK and if they called the cops every time they saw a snake in their yard the cops would be there 24/7. Instead what they do is give a heads up to whoever is in the backyard and they all head to the back porch (even if they are all in the middle of doing lawncare--which is when they usually end up seeing them). I don't think that I've talk to them in the past few weeks where I have NOT gotten a snake siting tale.

the kid to die in vein?!!