Mom: Shooting was an accident

Posted by Cid95 on October 28, 2008 at 3:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tragedy. Like the Johnny Cash song said "Don't ever play with guns."

Posted by CedarPosts on October 28, 2008 at 3:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What is it about guns that make people stupid. You clear your weapon and you NEVER point it at anyone, or yourself even if you just cleared your weapon.

Meanwhile an 8 shoots himself in the head with an UZI over the weekend. What the ______!

Look people, get some training it's not a toy guns can kill you!

http://cedarpost.blogspot.com

Posted by nursenat on October 28, 2008 at 4:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is it legal for a 15 year-old to be a tattoo artist??

Posted by moonpie on October 28, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

nursenat I would ask the same question. This is an avoidable tragedy if you treat every gun like its loaded all the time even IF you just emptied it.

Posted by theronce on October 28, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Evidently, his associations here were not all that spiffy here either...tragic, for sure. What's with so many young people that they think that they are grown and acting so childish. I suspect most of us were similar to that at one time, but the degree of irresponsibility seems so much greater now. I cannot remember one of my associations back then that did not know all the whens, hows, and whys to use, not play with, but to use a gun.

Posted by jca on October 28, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

no its not legal for a 15 year old to be a tattoo artist
gotta be 18 at the very least and have a lot of proper training

guns arent toys
their deadly weapons

this boy was a future criminal hopefully his family learns from this and keeps guns locked up

it wasnt legal for him to even the weapon in his possession
time to enforce some stiff penalties on these moronic parents
this kid and that 8 year old
no one but a moron gives an 8 year old an uzi to shoot

Posted by Riptide on October 28, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

With every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. With this law of motion in mind, we have a struggle on one side to remove guns from our daily lives and on the other side we have groups trying maintain our rights to firearms. Government can’t prevent accidents, it takes personal responsibility and common sense of the individual to prevent accidents. The NRA has a program that comes into public schools and other organizations that teaches kids at an early age gun safety and the dangers of guns. The anti-guns groups see this as a promotion of guns as oppose to gun safety and has blocked attempts to teach kids the danger of guns. If we can’t teach personal responsibility and the dangers of guns to kids at an early age, then how are these kids going to act when they get older and have kids of their own. We can bitch and complain all we want but if personal responsibility and gun safety is not taught, don’t expect too much from this next generation.

My comment for the day. Now I got to go work.

Posted by dude on October 28, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kids don't always show good judgement, especially around guns, and accidents happen. The parents moved back here to try to provide a better environment for their son, but unfortunately it did not work out that way. My condolences to the family.

Posted by riddiksgirl on October 28, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I did not come to the conclusion after reading this article that Mr. Valdez was on his way to becoming a future criminal. Nor did I read that Mr. Valdez was the one who had the gun in his possession. He was hanging out with friends, they were firing the gun and he was playing with it, and accidently shot himself. A tragedy. The 8yr old in Massachusetts was at a gun show with his father who probably wanted his son to learn about guns. A bad choice was made, and from the article I read, his father is no moron. He is the director of emergency medicine at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford, Connecticut. Another bad choice was made and another tragedy took place. It is just very sad, all the way around.

Posted by jca on October 28, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

riddikgirl

reread what you just posted you contradicted yourself

the father is a moron he allowed a very small 8 year old child to handle a very powerful war weapon. this isnt a tragedy its murder

the 15 year old shot himself which means he had the gun in his hands you state you did read where he had possession but then go on to say he shot himself well duh dummy to shot oneself one has to have the gun in ones hand. not rocket science

those teenage boys shouldnt have had a gun to begin with. they arent legal to own guns have to be 21

he was in trouble in illinios so thee family moved here. future criminal if not already a criminal just not caught yet

Posted by ColdBud on October 28, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My condolences to the friends and family of Roberto Valdez.

I agree that his choice of friends here seemed to be no better than his choice of friends up north. The P&C didn't mention, was he in an area where it is legal to fire off guns? Either way, stupid decisions were made. I would also agree that a 15 year old playing with guns without his parent’s knowledge was probably headed for a rough life on the wrong side of the law.

As far as the 8 year old is concerned, the father and the range operator should be held responsible for that child's death. An 8 year old with an Uzi???? Someone should have "Stupid" branded on their forehead.

Posted by riddiksgirl on October 28, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I did not contradict myself. I did not read where Mr. Valdez was in trouble, he had bad friends. When I say possessed, I mean owned. Sorry you misunderstood. Now, if you could please make this sentence make sense.

the 15 year old shot himself which means he had the gun in his hands you state you did read where he had possession but then go on to say he shot himself well duh dummy to shot oneself one has to have the gun in ones hand. not rocket science

Apparently the use of commas and periods is rocket science to you. JMO.

*JMO means just my opinion.

Posted by My_Opinion on October 28, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jca <---- sounds like you would be the dummy this morning. Maybe you should reread the article regarding the 8 year old boy, yes he was at a gun show with his father however he was with a gun/shooting instructor when he shot himself, not the father. It's funny when one picks at and name calls just to turn around and be the actual name they called. This is not a case of should they have had the gun or so on. This is simply a reminder to children and parents that accidents like this do happen and to use better judgment.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 28, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It doesn't matter if the father of the 8 yr old was right there with him. I seriously doubt the instructor kidnapped him. We as parents are ultimately responsible for our kids. When people are saying the father is stupid,they are correct. No one is implying that the father wasn't "book smart" or didnt have a job. He lacked good judgement in his parenting and showed stupidity.
As to the article at hand- GUN SAFETY people! Kids have NO business "playing" with guns. Guns are NOT toys.(comment brought to you by Capt. Obvious)

Posted by ColdBud on October 28, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First time poster, long time reader? <lol>

Mr. Obvious rules!!!!!

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 28, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

serialmooner no attack here. I first shot a gun(a 22- not an uzi) when I was probably around 6 or 7 at the range with my Dad. I wouldve never "played" with my Dads gun. We were taught gun safety from a very early age. However, my idiot older brother would play with my Dads gun when my parents left the house. Some kids are idiots. Like every other aspect of parenting,know your kids and use good judgement.

Posted by jncturner on October 28, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I read both stories with an attitude of sadness. They brought back memories - not sad ones, but memories of my Dad, sitting me down beside himself and instructing me on "How to clean a rifle." (Daddy only had one handgun, and didn't have that one very long, but the principles are the same) He taught me (as has already been said) to "Be SURE the chamber is clear - take out the magazine, take out the bolt, etc, and be sure to ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed AWAY - from self or others.Always keep the muzzle pointed down (at the ground) when you are carrying the rifle.NEVER point the gun at anything you don't intend to shoot (Let that sink in parents.). I am not a "sportsman" today, but I remember just like it was yesterday those little lectures. And it took you HOW LONG to read this? That is how long it would take for you "sportsmen" to begin to give your "Davy Crockett's" some life saving instruction.

BTW, why was there a LOADED gun at a gun show?

Pastor Jim Turner
Birch Bay WA

Posted by ColdBud on October 28, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Teaching your children to handle a weapon properly is not a bad thing. Teaching an 8 year old to shoot an Izu is just stupid. In the case of this article, there was no teaching going on. They were "playing". What ever happened to pick-up basketball, football and baseball games? THAT was playing when I was a teen.

Posted by WhatMeWorry on October 28, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

serialmooner: "Youngsters.....w/ adequate and proper training can defend against a home invasion if carefully taught"

This is something I don't get about the pro-gun argument. Where do you people live that you fear this constant threat of home invasion? Has anyone posting today actually had their home invaded? If the answer is yes, then I guess I stand corrected, although I'd also want to know by whom?

You can make a Darwinist argument that kids who play with guns and end up dead probably weren't fit to live long enough to pass on their DNA, but I'm not sure that's fair to say about kids who are naturally risk-takers and have not developed sound judgement yet.

And parents can't watch their kids 100% of the time. They can try to teach their kids properly but, again, kids are not known for their good judgement.

Say what you want about Davy Crockett, but those days are gone, my friends. Nobody needs a gun today. They are an unnecessary risk. The only way to prevent kids (and drunk hunters) from shooting themselves and others is to get rid of guns.

The second amendment, Davy Crockett, they're antequated notions. The second amendment was written at a time of frequent war on our own soil. Thankfully, that doesn't happen anymore. We don't have Leper colonies anymore because we have advanced. The same should be true for guns. Or haven't you advanced?

It's got nothing to do with liberal or Democrat or socialist or fascist or any other philosophical stance. It is irrefutable that guns are an unnecessary evil today. There is no political agenda, just a need to save life and limb.

Posted by RTC on October 28, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My heart goes out to this mother. Regardless of the reasons behind this tragedy, I would never want to be in her place. Can you imagine the agony of receiving that phone call, and rushing to your child's side? I can't even bear to think about going through something like this.

Posted by not4us2003 on October 28, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You would think that some of you people that are posting comments would have a little more respect for the family and thier grieving. Put yourself in their shoes. As far as how childish those of you posting your inappopriate comments are not more of a adult than they are. He was my nephew and I think you people should be ashamed of yourselves. I also think that this newspaper should have enough respect for families with these situations to monitor these comments. I as a family member am very appauld by these comments.

Posted by ReasonSpeaks on October 28, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Guns are not necessary for home protection for run-of-the-mill robberies. I once lived in an awful neighborhood and heard a guy lurking around my property looking for a point of entry. I approached him with my MagLite strategically placed and used the business end of it to ensure he'd never come back.

Any expert in hand-to-hand combat will tell you that in close quarters a club or knife beats a gun everytime in trained hands. Learn how to use one and stay fit and you'll win that battle everytime.

I realize that the reality is that the U.S. will never ban guns because there are too many people who passionately defend their right to bear arms. (The same can be said for abortion laws... they will never change significantly in one direction or another because the country is too evenly split and equally passionate about their side.)

Posted by iceman1978 on October 28, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Try the following links if you think guns don't prevent crimes and save lives:

http://www.gunowners.org/sk0802.htm

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/article...

http://www.wagc.com/GunsSaveLives.html

People have a right to self-defense. It's true that parents can't look after their children 24/7, but neither can police look after you or your home. If someone breaks into your home the law says you have the right to defend yourself. When someone is in your home you have no idea if they are armed, and you have no idea what their intentions are. In an ideal situation, you would want a firearm in one hand and have your cell phone in the other to call 911, and the intruder would leave the premesis when they realized their victim was armed and not afraid to use force.

For most us, we will never be faced with such a situation. Trust me though, you would rather own a firearm and never need to use it rather than to be in a situation where you need one for self-defense and don't have it. You can call the cops, but it may take time for them to reach your home.

Does this mean no gun control? No background checks? No safety courses required? Absolutely not. We require that people pass a driving test before we let them get behind the wheel of 4,000 lbs of steel. A bank will require a credit check before they extend you a line of credit. Why not require that people pass a background check and safety course before they purchase a firearm?

Posted by ColdBud on October 28, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

not4us2003, I'm sorry for your loss.

Having said that, this website is not a funeral memorial book. It's a website for people to discuss their opinions on stories in the news. Tragedies like this NEED to be discussed. Lessons can be learned and, hopefully, such tragedies will happen less often. You cannot expect to log on to a newspaper website and have no harsh comments when someone needlessly dies. That's not going to happen. This is not the place for the family to be looking for comfort. There is no shame in commenting on the tragedy of a needless death. I am appalled at your short sidedness. You should be ashamed of yourself for not wanting discussions on this type of tragedy to take place. You never know... they just might prevent another 15 year old from needlessly dieing.

Posted by jca on October 28, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the fact is this gun should never have been in this boys hands he was a minor a child guns arent for kids theres a reason you ave to be a certian age to get one. this kid broke the law and paid the price. he should have learned something and picked better friends when he moved down here. but he didnt

he chose his own fate

also this is not a sympathy board its an opinion board not4us2003 get over it i am entitled to my opinion

Posted by tc1 on October 28, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WhatMeWorry,

"The only way to prevent kids (and drunk hunters) from shooting themselves and others is to get rid of guns."

Yes, by all means. What would it be like now if we had not had the "war on drugs"? These people need protection from themselves and only the government is wise enough to do that.

Posted by not4us2003 on October 28, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

cold bud-for those that want discuss it but have respect

Posted by ReasonSpeaks on October 28, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tc1 said: "Yes, by all means. What would it be like now if we had not had the "war on drugs"?"

Drugs are addictive, dummy. That's why you can't get rid of them. The comparison is inaccurate.

Posted by tc1 on October 28, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Point taken on the drugs. Guns are not addictive But you can't get rid of guns in the hands of criminals either. By definition criminals break the law therefore only the law abiding will not have guns. The victim in this story did not legaly have possesion of the gun.

Your argument that you don't need a gun to protect yourself from someone who does is debateable also. What about the indians versus the original European settlers. One also does not need a vaccine if one never comes in contact with the virus. I believe more people without guns have been murdered by criminals with guns then have died from stupidity as in this story and of the 8 year old.

Posted by ReasonSpeaks on October 28, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How much indoor close-quarter combat do you think the Indians and Europeans were engaged in in the 1600s? How much wilderness open-field self-protection are we doing nowadays? The conditions are completely different.

If violence is an epidemic in your neighborhood with frequent crimes (in the same way that a virus can cause epidemics) then i would agree that your need for protection is larger scale. But since the apocalypse has not yet occurred, I doubt you are in that situation.

(Interesting you mentioned viruses since they had as much to do with the Europeans domination over native Americans as guns did.)

Posted by becca0672 on October 28, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am replying to JCA...you are the most insensitive person I have ever come across. You are referring to a 15 year old KID!!! Kids do not always make good choices no matter what their parents try to instill in them. My nephew did not own the gun. He was no future criminal either!! How can you come to that conclusion with so little information? You did not know this boy personally...he lit up a room with his smile...he was very intelligent...he cared very much for his family...he played sports. You, sir, should be ashamed of yourself for smearing a 15 year old's name without even knowing him or getting all the details for putting your sadly lacking opinion online. I am aware that this is not a memorial board, but, are you so cold that you can sit there, without any conscience whatsoever, and blast this family and their DEAD child??? As for the tattoo artist career, he planned to do that when he turned 18. He was a very good artist. I do hope that his death will prevent other children from dying. Guns are NOT a toy. But, as parents, we can not be around our children 24 hours a day. All we can do is hope that what we have taught them, they remember.

Posted by UnoCubanito on October 28, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This guy favor my bestfriend in his smile WOW and his name is Roberto too.

http://b3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01493...

Posted by jca on October 28, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

becca your a moron too im not a man and i dont give one rip about your stupid relative

he picked bad friends in two different cities he broke the law and was in possession of a hand gun

this boy was a moron and stupid he learned nothing when his family moved him away this is not a support board get over yourself

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 28, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The article stated,"Valdez was a tattoo artist." The article also chose to say,"Roberto "Robbie" Valdez's family members were worried about the bad friends he made while living in Illinois, so they packed up and moved to Johns Island."
So to the family of this young boy- If you are upset about this story, call the PnC and complain. They chose to dedicate quite a bit of the story implying he was a trouble maker and clearly stated he WAS a tattoo artist. I'm so sorry for your loss and wish you all the best. Just realize that not only is this the comment section, but the comments will be based solely on whats printed.

Posted by tc1 on October 28, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"How much indoor close-quarter combat do you think the Indians and Europeans were engaged in in the 1600s? How much wilderness open-field self-protection are we doing nowadays? The conditions are completely different."

Yes, the conditions are different. What is the status of the indians today? The same ones who were killing each other and taking the land from each other until we came along and took it all.

Posted by theronce on October 28, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WhatMeWorry, you do not understand the reason for the second amendment. In case you did not notice, the people who wrote and adopted the that amendment had just recently taken up arms against their own duly appointed government that was oppressive in its restrictions on freedom and its excesses in taxation. Don't you think that they may have had reason to believe that we may need those guns again some day to protect ourselves...again.

Posted by ms_lady2u on October 28, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyway, back to the matter.....condolences to the family & loved ones!

Posted by jca on October 28, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

to the family stop emailing me you freaks go grieve your dead

like a real family would

sorry but f my loved one had died i wouldnt be on the net attack people for their opinions your whole family needs to get a clue

this is not a memorial site

Posted by dcarter91 on October 28, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

R.I.P. lil cousin...
It was just an accident...
and these people are preachin on here like they know what they are talkin about...
you are missed but never forgotten Robbie...
and everyone else on here needs to shut up cuz it was an accident...accidents happen...but it doesn't give you the right to act like you know wat your talkin about...so please mind your business before i get in yours.
thanx
Donovan Carter
and i don't care you know my name

Posted by FortDorchesterMom on October 28, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This comment is for JCA. You must crave attention, because you purposely make your posts callous and shocking. If this site is for opinions, then the family can also voice theirs. Your name-calling is childish...and I did not know this boy or his family, but I'm offended by your rude comments.
The fact remains that despite what YOU think, this young boy is dead and his family is mourning him. Does it really matter now if he hung around the wrong crowd(which you don't know)It shows a lack of human understanding and compassion on your part to post the things that you have, and it saddens me that there are people like you out there. You should be embarassed.

Posted by SpiderJohn on October 28, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is always interesting to see the creatures that crawl out from under their rocks and rear their ugly heads to the sky over guns!

This was an accident. A terrible terrible accident!

For those that choose to blame the victim, by the grace of your God go you!

jca - you may need to take a chill pill and maybe grow a little soul. I hear they really help with empathy!

Posted by jbh on October 28, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JCA

When I was 15 i took my dads hand gun out in the woods and shot it. I also did not hang with the best crowd. But i was not a criminal. I think i turned out ok serving our country now. But you seem like the type of person that can only voice his opion when his face is hid. In fact you are a coward that has no life but his computer!!!!!

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 28, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I get that jca may have come off harsh. So what? Does that mean jca should be harrassed via email? No. It doesn't matter what "side" of the gun debate you are on. No 15 yr old should be using/carrying a firearm unattended. We try to learn from others mistakes. I feel for the family for their loss. It's horrible. But I wouldnt be spending my time on the net,emailing posters I didnt agree with. I'd be grieving. Like I said before- don't blame the posters. Reread the article! It was written in a less than flattering light.

Posted by jca on October 28, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

funny im not male morons

im female and im a caring loving laid back person

what you people arent seeing is that im being attacked by people if they are really family who should be grieving not reading comments on a story

this boy ran with a bad crowd bad crowd where i come from means gangs and wannabe thugs who terrorize and torture people like me

i was the quiet shy honor society class president who never even got so much as a detention.

this boy broke the law he had a gun in his possession and was playing with it like a toy. stupidity kills this case is proof of that and parents can know what their kids are doing 24/7 my mom always did and still does to this day and im over 30