Eight-year-old Arrested in the Shooting of his Father and another Man!

While reading the account of the eight-year-old boy in Arizona charged with killing his father and another man, I could not help but think about five-year-old Tre Merrit from Arkansas who killed a 445 lb. Black Bear last December. For sure, some will argue that five-year-old Merrit was merely hunting with his grandfather while the eight-year-old committed premeditated murder. According to news accounts, the town of St. John’s, Arizona is “stunned,” “shocked” by the actions of the eight-year-old. St. John’s Police Chief asked, “Who would think an 8-year-old kid could kill two adults?" I would, and I am neither stunned nor shocked.

Unfortunately, society sends mixed messages when applauding the actions of one child who kills and prosecuting the actions of another. Though we may want to argue that Merrit was hunting, the act was no less premeditated since Merrit and his grandfather sat in a stand and waited for their prey to appear. When the bear was spotted, the grandfather directed the five-year-old to “shoot.” The five-year-old did as directed and was proud of his “accomplishments,” as was his family and the media.

As a result, Merrit and his family made the morning news circuit. During interviews, Merrit’s grandfather bragged about teaching the boy to shoot at the tender age of two. The boy’s father reportedly stated that tears ran down his cheeks when he learned of his son’s accomplishments. He continued by telling of another defenseless animal that his son had killed the year before: three deer. Merrit’s father continued to list the helpless animals his son plans to kill in the future: a turkey and an elk.

Nevertheless, for a child to shoot and kill a bear that was merely passing by in the woods and not attacking him or his loved ones is just as heinous a crime as the crime committed by the eight-year-old in Arkansas. There is no difference unless one considers the differences in the treatment received and the way their behaviors are viewed.

The irony here is thick, and I am stunned and shocked that no one sees the connection between the two acts or a problem with the actions of Merrit. Merrit was paraded by the news media and praised for his fearless killing of a harmless bear. The eight-year-old will be paraded before the courts to explain his actions in the killings of his father and the other man.

According to Psychologists, children who kill animals tend to grow up and commit myriad crimes, to include spousal abuse. Again, some will argue that Merrit was hunting with his grandfather. Maybe the eight-year-old was hunting his father. The bottom line is children should not be allowed to handle firearms at any age.

For a child to shoot and kill a bear that was merely passing by in the woods and not attacking him or his loved ones is just as heinous as the crime committed by the eight-year-old in Arkansas. There is no difference. However, there are exceptions to the treatment each has received and the way their actions are viewed. (Let us pray that Merrit's Turkey is not of Turkish decent and the Elk is not a member of the Elk’s Club).