Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Accidental Shooting in Virginia - One Man Dead - No Charges

Local news reports
Police detectives determined a deadly shooting Monday morning in east Richmond was an accident.

“A 25-year-old female was taken into custody at the scene and interviewed by detectives,” Richmond Police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh wrote in an email. “After preliminary investigation, interviews with witnesses and after comparing evidence found at the scene and statements made by the female taken into custody, the Richmond Police Department, in consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, will not be prosecuting the female at this time.”

The shooting happened around 3:00 a.m. Monday inside a home along the 1200 block of Nelson Street. The victim, a man, had been shot once, Waugh said.

The police investigation is on-going and charges could be brought at a later time, police added.
Now that's a little more like it. You take the responsible person into custody and then try to determine what happened.

The only problem is, of course, that no charges are being filed. That's just wrong.  It's another example of the mistaken attitudes we have towards so-called gun accidents.

I'm all for releasing these people from jail and suspending any further jail sentences, but to send them on their way with a warning to be more careful is wrong.

What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.

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