Child shoots intruder during home break-in

[TxD]

Fear, bravery, will, and the means to defend from a 10 year old boy.

"One of the suspects, Dean Favron, just finished serving almost seven years in prison for aggravated assault on a Baton Rouge police officer and two carjacking charges. He was released on June 6th."

http://www.wafb.com/global/story.asp?s=10741492" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

By David Spunt
PORT ALLEN, LA (WAFB) - A ten-year-old boy left home alone with his sister used his mother's gun to shoot an intruder in the face, police said.

Late Tuesday, West Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputies received a call to a Port Allen apartment complex after several shots rang out from inside one of the apartments. "You are out here trying to work and for someone to come and do that and invade your home is very hard," the children's mother said. She asked to not be identified.

Deputies say Dean Favron and Roderick Porter knocked several times on the apartment door. The two young children, a ten-year-old boy and eight-year-old girl, stood on the other side, terrified. "He told his sister to be quiet and seconds later, they started kicking on the door and finally kicked the door in," said Sheriff Mike Cazes. The two children ran to their mother's bedroom closet.

In a panic, the ten-year-old grabbed his mother's gun for protection. "He did what I told him to do. I never told him to get the gun, but thank God he did," she said. Once the two suspects opened the door, threatening the kids, deputies say the boy fired a bullet into the lip of Roderick Porter. The two men were taken to the hospital, where they were later arrested. "It's just hard. I don't understand why they would do that. I know they have little brothers and sisters and they wouldn't want anyone to break into their house," said the mother.

Each man is held on $150,000 bond. A third suspect, a juvenile, was taken to a local detention center. One of the suspects, Dean Favron, just finished serving almost seven years in prison for aggravated assault on a Baton Rouge police officer and two carjacking charges. He was released on June 6th.

Both men will appear before a judge next month.

[joe817]

What a brave little boy indeed! His mom taught him well. My hats off to him. I don't know the circumstances why they were home alone. That's a real shame unto itself.

[Commander Cody]

I'm glad everything turned out well for the good guys, but wonder about access to a firearm to this kid.

[Beiruty]

Or why children were left alone. Where was momy?

[CrimsonSoul]

Or why children were left alone. Where was momy?

By the sound of the article the mom was at work

[Drewthetexan]

I can recall being home alone at the age of 10. I'm sure my parents worried, but I had been instructed on what to do in several scenarios, how to answer the phone, how to answer the door, what to do in emergencies. I carried it all out to the letter. I walked home after school and was alone for a few hours because both my parents worked, couldn't afford daycare, and there were no other options. I don't remember when I started walking to and from school alone, but it was earlier on. It wasn't neglect; I was raised to handle my business and do my part for the family. That's just the way it was.

And I'd guess (or hope) that the parent acquainted the children with the weapon at least as much as explaining that it was for self defense and not a toy. I certainly knew about the ones in my house growing up and I never concieved of touching them.

[C-dub]

I too, walked home from school at a younger age than this boy and was home alone for a few hours before either working parent returned. I would not have been able to protect myself if something like this had happened.

I have mixed feelings on the access this boy had to a firearm. If he hadn't, he and his sister may well have ended up dead. Thank God they did not. I do not think the mom will be charged with anything because of his access because of the result. Can you imagine the outcry if they do? I doubt it, but it might even show what a responsible gun owner can do if their children are properly informed and trained on a weapons purpose and use. And I know that the use of the word "responsible" is debatable at this point. Does anyone think we would be criticizing the mom any differently had this turned out differently even with the boy's access to a weapon?

BTW, I hope this boy is not traumatized by having gone through this at such a young age.

[particle]

Almost brings tears to the eyes. Incredible the 10yr old was able to defend himself and his sister - and awesome he was able to connect with his target(s). If you're going to leave the kids at home alone, better leave them with a really, really big dog!

[garcia946]

Brave kid , did the right thing , but I dont think the kids should have been left alone

[TDDude]

Age has very little to do with being home alone.

My son is 11 and is a very good shot with all my pistols. He also knows his way around AR's and an M1 carbine. He's taken a deer with my 30-O-6 Remmy 700 and kicks my rear in paintball cause I can't run so well anymore.

All my children can shoot and know not to touch the guns at home. I take them shooting quite often so there is simply no mystery with firearms. The urge to "touch" at home is not there.

IMHO, age has very little to do with it. Once the child has the strength to control the weapon then training and discipline is the key. That young boy in the story has received both or is very, very lucky.

[C-dub]

Brave kid , did the right thing , but I dont think the kids should have been left alone

True and neither do I. However, unfortunately, some folks don't have a choice. And it's only going to get worse. A kid in Dallas was killed last night because he was wandering around with his brother and a couple other friends and was hit by a car around 0300.

Another 15y girl was shot outside a bar around 0100 a few days ago. She said she doesn't usually go around clubing. She's 15y! I hope not.

What's going on that parents don't know where their kids are at night?

Oops. Sorry. Off topic. I'm done.

[bdickens]

A ten-year-old should be perfectly well able to be at home by himself for a couple of hours.

[Captain Matt]

That ten year old seems like he was mature enough to take care of himself and his sister for a few hours.

It's the other child in the story that bothers me.

Each man is held on $150,000 bond. A third suspect, a juvenile, was taken to a local detention center. One of the suspects, Dean Favron, just finished serving almost seven years in prison for aggravated assault on a Baton Rouge police officer and two carjacking charges. He was released on June 6th.

Where was that kid's parents?

[garcia946]

Dont get me wrong , some kids can be left home alone , as long as we teach them well , but some kids cant be left home alone. sounds like from the video mom was working and it was around 10pm , but anyway.From this story mom taught the kids good , but think about what the poor kid may be going throught since this.
Thats all I`m thinking about , it`s bad enough if a grown preson shoots someone as an older adult we should be able to deal with it , but a 10yr old may not be able to. Just my thoughts and not to get off subject....

[HankB]

Good for the kid!

Momma should take him out for a big ice cream sundae . . . and keep him away from reporters and such.

With a bit of support from friends and family, the kid should be OK . . . unless some handwringing bedwetter of a counselor starts working to convince him he needs to feel guilty or something . . .