Police in Arizona told local news media that an 8-year-old boy planned the murders of his father and his father’s friend. Under Arizona law, any one over 8 years old can be tried as an adult.
The boy allegedly used a .22 caliber rifle and
shot his father and another man last Wednesday, shocking his family and neighbors.
According to the local Roman Catholic priest, Rev. John Paul Sauter, who presided over the wedding of the murdered man, both the man and his new wife had consulted him about whether the boy could have a gun or not.
The boy’s father was an avid hunter and wanted to teach his boy how to use the gun so he wouldn't be afraid of it. He taught his son how to use the .22-caliber rifle and how to kill prairie dogs.
Mr. Sauter told
Arizona Republic:
"He wanted to make sure the kid wasn't afraid of guns, knew how to handle it...He was just too young. ... That child, I don't think he knows what he did, and it was brutal."
The boy is now facing two counts of premeditated murder according to local police. They are also investigating whether the boy was abused physically or mentally. So far, there are no complaints with local child protection services nor from his family or neighbors.
After an initial investigation and interrogation with the child, Police Chief Roy Melnick said the incident was not spontaneous, but rather a planned act.
Melnick told Arizona Republic:
"I'm not accusing anybody of anything at this point...But we're certainly going to look at the abuse part of this. He's 8 years old. He just doesn't decide one day that he's going to shoot his father and shoot his father's friend for no reason. Something led up to this."
Since the act was premeditated, police may try him as an adult.
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