Police Chief is Charged in Boy's Death at Gun Fair

[cabluedem]

Police chief is charged in boy's death at gun fair

By Michael Levenson

Boston Globe

12/04/2008

A small-town Massachusetts Police Chief who authorities say promoted, organized and profited from a firearms exposition where children were encouraged to shoot machine guns and where an 8-year-old killed himself with a Micro Uzi was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter.

Although the event was promoted as an opportunity for children to fire machine guns under the supervision of certified instructors, 8-year-old Christopher Bizilj had been supervised by a 15-year-old boy who was "knowledgeable about guns" but not certified as a firearms instructor, Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett said in outlining charges against Pelham Police Chief Edward B. Fleury and two others.

<<Snip>>

In the event, the 8-year-old's father, Dr. Charles Bizilj, stood 10-feet behind his son while the boy aimed at a pumpkin with an Automatic Weapon that fires 1,700 rounds a minute and is notoriously difficult to handle. When Christopher squeezed the trigger, the gun jerked out of control and fired a bullet into the right side of his head.

<<<Snip>>

Fleury, Pelham's Police Chief of 22 years, was singled out as the central force behind the expo. He organized it through a business he ran, COP Firearms & Training, and marketed it in advertisements that said the $5 entry fee was waived for children under age 16 and that there was "no age limit or licenses required to shoot machine guns."

Bennett said Fleury took a portion of the proceeds from the event. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

More at:

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_11141595?nclick_check=1

[yodoobo]

1. That childs death is just horrible beyond belief

This is the kind of story that makes you angry and want to cry.

That senselessness and horror of that childs death is impossible to quantify.

[cabluedem]

4. At the rate that weapon fires, its a blessing no one else got shot to pieces as well. n/t

[Downtown Hound]

2. A cop should know better than anyone...

children and guns don't mix.

[cabluedem]

3. Yeap. Problem is that the cops always have "connections". I doubt he will see prison-time at all...

the police call it professional courtesy, and it extends from letting fellow police officers walk on excessive speeding (Above 15 MPH over the limit) and even driving while intoxicated (DUI) to making concessions for a "person", like this who allows an 8 year old to use a machine gun.

I speak of this from personal knowledge, over the course of many years.

Yeap, flash the "badge" and things that were illegal for "Joe Schmo", magically "disappear".

Best magic trick I ever have witnessed, so far on this planet.

[Berry Cool]

6. If this guy skates for this...how disgusting.

I mean, he will actually have pocketed the profits from an event that resulted in a child's death. Not that the father showed any great brains, either, but...sheesh.

[cabluedem]

8. Believe me, these things have a way of "blowing over" and likely wont make the news either....

I agree however, that he SHOULD be sentenced to prison for a time, at least, just like any of us would be.

[aikoaiko]

7. I think a case can be made that full auto micro Uzis and children don't mix.

I was 11 when I first shot. It was a single shot 22 lr where it this tragedy would have been impossible. When I demonstrated proficiency, I got to shoot a 22lr with a 10 round magazine.

[cabluedem]

9. Good for you. Thats all this child should have been allowed to shoot.

[aquart]

5. Good.