Prosecutors file charges against five South Bend students in gun incident

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Prosecutors file charges against five South Bend students in gun incident

Five students from Greene Intermediate School now face charges. They're involved with handling a loaded handgun on a school bus two weeks ago.

By Tiffany Griffin

Story Created: Jan 2, 2008 at 4:23 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 3, 2008 at 12:15 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Five students from Greene Intermediate School now face charges. They're involved with handling a loaded handgun on a school bus two weeks ago. The gun eventually made it's way inside the school.

Many of the parents say they are very upset.

Four of the five students being charged remain at the Juvenile Justice Center. Relatives say they can't believe this is happening.

"There's no reason why on heaven's Earth that he would think about killing anybody,” said Tim Long, parent of one of the students who handled the gun.

But police reports tell a different story. It's the reason prosecutors decided to file charges against his son and four other students.

"I think they have a responsibility to charge and given the evidence they needed to charge the case,” said Dr. Bill Bruinsma from the Justice Juvenile Center.

According to police reports we obtained, one student claims another student was upset because he was being picked on and was planning to bring "something" to school to take care of him.

Parents of the suspects don't believe it.

"I have no reason to believe that he should be charged with any of this,” said Long.

Reports also say witnesses heard one of the boys say "don't shoot, don't shoot."

Officials say the incident sends a clear message to parents and their children.

"Number one guns need to be locked up and kept away from children. But the children also need to know that this is not a good thing to do,” said Dr. Bruinsma.

However, parents of the boys being held in custody say the situation has been blown out of proportion. They believe their kids may have handled the gun just out of curiosity with no intent to harm anyone.

"The fact of the matter is that these kids were observant. I was observant when I was a kid, seeing things I never saw before," said Long.

"I am very upset. I'm ready to go to Indianapolis to the congressmen about this case.”

The five students are being charged as juveniles.

They each face two charges, ranging from possession of a firearm at school to criminal recklessness.

They're scheduled to appear in court next week.

Tuesday, Feb 5 at 6:53 PM Gamblinbug wrote ...

What happened to the so called 5th child in this story? Also I was in the child justice system many years ago. Not sure why the 1 is being sent 2000 miles away? As for the parents of the child who brought the gun to school. Why would the gun be under a couch anyway? I have a permit and carry a weapon every day, But all 4 of my childern know and understand from my teaching. That guns are made for 1 thing and that is to kill. They know this and would never touch one for curiousity reasons. UNREAl!

Friday, Jan 18 at 1:10 PM Wondering wrote ...

If I read earlier stories correctly, wasn't the gun under the family couch? If so, why would the parents be so surprised that something like this would happen????? Helllllllooooo!!

Thursday, Jan 17 at 8:27 PM Girlfriend Of One wrote ...

I think this is wrong puttin all the family and friends in this postion....they shouldnt put this much stress on kids and parents.....well thats just my opinion.... I Love My Baby Boy

Sunday, Jan 13 at 4:19 AM think about it... wrote ...

If these parents could of been with these children instead of working all the time to put food on the table,and trying to get them up the money to get them a education,and clothes to wear to go to school.Im sure this would of turned out a bit different.(THINK ABOUT IT)signed....... Mr.Long

Saturday, Jan 12 at 2:43 PM mother of 3 wrote ...

...that they would find a way to be more concerned about their children's whereabouts and activities.Why aren't these parents up on charges?Why isn't the parent who owned the gun being charged?It is after all that person's fault in the first place.I hope that the Judge Nemeth makes an example out of these children....AND their parents.

Saturday, Jan 12 at 2:36 PM mother of 3 wrote ...

I am not sure which I am more appalled by, the fact that an 11 year old had access to a gun, or that his ignorant father is blaming the entire incident on the children's curiosity.As for the person below me told everyone to shut up and be positive...the only positive part of this is that no innocent child was killed because parents like Long don't supervise their children.I don't blame the little boy, I blame his parents.I'm sure that if they found a way to make the parents monetarily....

Friday, Jan 11 at 10:08 AM ev wrote ...

the parent who allowed (probably is just an uninterested adult's partner)should do jail time for leaving a gun for a kid to get-especially a loaded one.certainly this kid didn't walk into a store and buy it, then buy the bullets and load it.i can't believe as upset as people are about this we haven't found the adult responsible yet.

Thursday, Jan 10 at 10:06 PM dont worry wrote ...

all you people writing these letters are putting kids down you dont even know you should been saying postive things trying to help these kids they couldnt have know the gun was loaded so for all you parents out there need to stop actin like your all mad telling talking about the juveniles parents cause you know if your kid was locked up for something they did you would be crying to so all you people need to shut up cause you dont know any of the kids to be talking about any of them like that

Saturday, Jan 5 at 10:14 AM Wake Up Call wrote ...

Being a parent is tougher than ever, and at such times being involved and aware is not good enough. Children are little people, full of emotion and concern. Accept the fact that these children did something bad and whether they knew better or not is the least bit of importance. Children could have been seriously injured in this situation and it's not the first time a dangerous object has appeared on school grounds in South Bend. Let's say it together..."metal detectors".

Friday, Jan 4 at 10:19 PM greene teacher wrote ...

HEY TEACH .. obviously at 5:06 AM your mind was foggled up with cobwebs when you made the IGNORANT statement that the blame for these kids bringing the gun to school was because of the lack of involvement of teachers at Greene... how stupid you are !

Friday, Jan 4 at 11:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...

THINK, you are so wrong! ha!

Friday, Jan 4 at 5:06 AM teach wrote ...

teachers should of known what was going on, if they were so involved with all these kids.None of this should have even started if the teachers would of been on top of this!!!!(thats probably why they are the way they are)

Thursday, Jan 3 at 10:24 PM concerned wrote ...

So if I walk into a bank with a handgun and rob the place, this would be a mistake. Based on some of the arguements I've seen, mistakes are not criminal acts. Why don't we just let all those convicted of crimes out of jail because they too made mistakes. Bottom line... these students made a conscious decision to bring a loaded handgun on a bus and to school. Now they must face the consequences for the dicision they made. If someone had been accidentally shot, what would we be saying then?

Thursday, Jan 3 at 10:03 PM concerned wrote ...

For those of you that feel that students bringing guns to school is no big deal, and that they had no intention of using it, I say you are part of the reason our kids have to have police officers in the schools these days. White, Black or Hispanic makes no difference. The safety of the students is the issue. Guns don't belong in schools period. Unless I suppose your parents are gang bangers, then I guess that would seem appropriate.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 7:45 PM teacher from greene wrote ...

Before I get crucified, in my statement below, I meant to write, In reading some of these statements, but I guess I didn't proof read it well enough, so I apologize !

Thursday, Jan 3 at 7:23 PM Teacher from Greene wrote ...

Boy do we as teacher have alot more to teach. In read some of these statements, with parents making excuses, and with statements such as, "It wasn't that serious".. we have alot more work to do in teaching the seriousness of bringing guns to school and what consequences are all about. God help us all !!

Thursday, Jan 3 at 5:19 PM Teacher wrote ...

I would like to know if the bus driver knew a gun was being passed around. Why was this not reported by the driver? As a teacher it can be a scary situation when students feel they can bring whatever they feel is appropriate to school, be it a gun, knife, etc. There is no excuse for students endangering other students and/or adults. I hope the SBCSC takes this as seriously as the criminal justice system and does not brush this under the rug. All, please support teachers and the Code of Conduct.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 5:04 PM THINK wrote ...

I THINK ANONYMOUS IS WORKING FOR (WSBT)

Thursday, Jan 3 at 4:52 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Hidden racism, How did I know this was going to lead to race. Are you serious? You're really going to try to say this is about the poor black kids being treated unfairly. Do you not get that these poor black kids brought a loaded gun to school? This has NOTHING to do with race. How ignorant for you to even go there. This community has had other cases of kids taking guns to schools, this was not the first time, nor will it be the last I'm sure. The system does not need to use this case as an exam

Thursday, Jan 3 at 4:50 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Wonderful comment, y my kids go to private school. I agree completely and I'm sure do most citizens in this area.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 4:49 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Whatever, you need to open up a dictionary and look up the word mistake. What these kids did was clearly NOT a mistake.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 4:45 PM peace wrote ...

I think thees kids have been punished enough.Im pretty sure they know not to mess around with guns anymore.just the parents need to be a little more observant.(HELLO)

Thursday, Jan 3 at 2:11 PM LH MISHAWAKA wrote ...

poor mr long maybe sould go to indy and talk to his congressmen what good does he think this will do these kids were in the wrong just face it

Thursday, Jan 3 at 2:04 PM Unjust wrote ...

Mr. Long and all of the other parents have a right to feel that their children are being treated unjustly. Although I agree that it is a very serious situation, I know that children are curious, and had the gun not been brought to school in the first place, this whole situation would not have occurred. I'm sure all of these children were taught better, but parents cannot be with their children at all times. However, the gun owners should have been more aware.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 1:24 PM Whatever wrote ...

Contiued... I just believe that it will benefit these kids and PARENTS if they recieve some type of counselling and not the children going to jail where they will be subject to a hostile environment that will in a sense make them worst and resent the justice system for being so harsh on them for making a mistake

Thursday, Jan 3 at 1:22 PM Lynda wrote ...

The PARENT(S) need to be punished also. Examples of irrasponsable people have always been in society. Why is it over looked whrn a child brings a wepon to school?? They can both rot in jail a few days to months to think next time....Is it worth it??

Thursday, Jan 3 at 1:21 PM Whatever wrote ...

concerned friend has had the best story yet...I agree the the kids need to be taught a lesson but locking them up and throwing away the key for several months isn't the answer these kids need help and the parents also because everyone has a foggy idea that they know what type of environment a child needs but in all reality the perfect environment is a myth and cannot be achieved but we can work towards that it takestime and effort and with a little help we can help everyone so jail time badidea

Thursday, Jan 3 at 1:00 PM concerned friend wrote ...

i was there when it happened and most of you guys have half of it straight or not at all. it was 4 black kids and 1 white and a kid was trying to be popular and show it off to other students

Thursday, Jan 3 at 12:55 PM Whatever Who Cares wrote ...

Think about what everyone keeps saying punish these kids for what COULD have happened.Well for every person who has a gun in there home lock them up and throw away the key becuase they have a gun and they COULD harm their neighbors, and their DOGS(VICK). You people are joke and I can bet that most of you have no kids or do not know what your children do when they leave for a friends house and probably still thinks there daughter has never had a boyfriend.Be serious you cannot filter every child

Thursday, Jan 3 at 12:48 PM wHATEVER wrote ...

Not race issue!! but you people that keeps saying the parents are responsible yes and no yes because the environment that children come in contact with is the parents responisblitily but no becuase the parents did not give the child the gun and for the perosn who says they dont believe the child find going to school you are liviing in a fantasy world...Children cannot learn there lessons as adults do trying them as juveniles makes no diffenrec you still put children in the hands of the prisons!!

Thursday, Jan 3 at 12:10 PM rusty wrote ...

Everyone talks about these kids. What about the parents? Are they not responsible for their kids? Especially the one who brought the gun to school! The parents should also be in jail and charged with the same charges and a few more. I don't believe for a second the kid "Found" the gun on the way to school! I do believe he took it to school to harm someone. Parents these days don't want to accept the responsibility for anything!!!!! They have no business being parents!!!

Thursday, Jan 3 at 11:50 AM concerned parent wrote ...

today's tribune story; The gun, which was found in a backpack inside a school locker, reportedly was loaded but jammed.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 11:34 AM thankful wrote ...

Mr. Long, most curious children who handle guns don't intend to kill anyone. Unfortunately, some do. Thank goodness all were lucky THIS time.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 11:31 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The SBCSC Code of Conduct clearly states what the consequences may be in an incident like this. The the prosecutor's office is completely within bounds in charging them. Its unfortunate when students and parents think the rules don't apply to them, and make excuses or try to lay the blame elsewhere.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 11:12 AM concerned grandparent wrote ...

Thats right. These kids need responsible individuals, I mean responsible parents to learn them.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 10:23 AM Next to Greene wrote ...

Why does race have to be the first word thrown out? Dead is dead...not 'white dead' or 'black dead'. We live in a society and society has rules..one being that you can't bring guns to school. These kids are being treated as juveniles, not adults. Society sees that kids don't have the same thought process as adults and there is still time to help them. What if your child is the one hit by a stray bullet? Do you think that this child's aim is any better than his judgement to bring a gun to school?

Thursday, Jan 3 at 10:08 AM Whatever wrote ...

To from greene be serious get your facts straight and do some research the story was that once the cops found the gun THEY THEMSELVES jammed it and you must be a white/or uninformed...These kids need help from responsible individuals not the prison system...Think if you had kids which you probably dont have...

Thursday, Jan 3 at 9:49 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I currently have a son in "The System" that claims to only want to protect the children from themselves and society. I can tell you 1st hand they do NOT care what the truth is once a child is in their custody. I fully understand the serious nature of bringing a gun to school, but they did not harm anyone and are only kids that made bad decisions. And just because other kids say they heard or witnessed something, doesn't make it true. The parents fight to get their kids back has just begun.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 9:43 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Hidden Racism, you are ignorant. Before you make stupid comments, get your facts straight. They were not all black students. Why is everyone wanting to always play the race card. Its usaully people like you that give South Bend a bad name.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 8:50 AM from Greene wrote ...

Such ignorant comments, you would feel different if you had BEEN THERE. Gee...the gun jammed...Thank YOU GOD, and our schools "Guardian Angel"

Thursday, Jan 3 at 7:34 AM Whatever Hidden Racism wrote ...

This seems to be an act of Jena 6 just its South Bend 5...These are kids and you cannot honestly believe that they intended to harm someone if they intended to harm anybody they would have done that not try to hide the weapon...if these were 5 white kids this wouldnt be this serious but being that its five blacks its a huge a huge problem and they need to make an example be serious there kids your gonna ruin there lives instead of helping them learn from there mistakes how responsible is that!

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 11:30 PM y my kids go to private school! wrote ...

Unbelivable!!! If I were Mr. Long I would be so ashamed that I was not a better parent than to teach my kid that Guns and school don't mix. When I hear people say that the schools are over-reacting I am equally baffled, do we need to wait for someone to get shot before they file charges? Give me a break! These are the people that want to blame everyone else for their problems. Mr. Long should be so humbled that nobody was hurt, he should also take a lesson in responsibility.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 11:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The parents of the Greene students who had enough courage to go to the right officials to tell what was going on need to be commended. What bravery it took to be on the bus and observe and listen to what these aweful kids were planning on doing. I can't even imagine.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 11:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Been there, I'm pretty sure your child couldn't get out of the "justice system" bc of the choices he or she continued to make, and i'm guessing they weren't good ones. The "justice system" doesn't continue to suck kids in, they need no help as the kids bring themselves in all on their own. There's a reason for everything.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 8:33 PM A Greene Parent wrote ...

Those "observant" kids should of been the first ones to tell school officials. And these parents need to ask their kids what was really said during their observation. There was more intent then what these parents want to admit.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 8:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

If they have been taught right from wrong then one would believe that it is SO wrong to handle a loaded gun at that age AND take it to school. These parents should be counting their blessings that they weren't reading their kids obits nor the obits of innocent kids they could have KILLED! Wake up parents! Be more aware of your children and take responsiblity as well, this is no more the kid's faults but their parents as well. Don't even try blame the "system" in this situation. Nice try.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 7:34 PM Been there wrote ...

Our son was in this so called "justice system" for several years and couldnt get out over something stupid! Lord help your families!

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 6:39 PM concerned parent 2 wrote ...

These children have been taught right from wrong but some are more of followers then they are leaders,if they see or hear things they might want to try they do so without the parent not knowing anything,also the news has alot to do with it because they mix these stories up airing different things when really they don't know anything,any parent in their right mind knows and teaches their kids from day one dangers of guns,people, the important lessons of everyday life STOP JUDGING KIDS U DONT KNOW

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 6:36 PM concerned parent 2 wrote ...

I think it's a little silly that all the kids get hit with it, only the one that the gun belonged to should have gotten any charges. If it wasn't for him, none of the others would have had the opportunity to touch it.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 6:32 PM concerned grandparent wrote ...

This issue is being blown way out of porportion this is not the first time a child has brought a gun to school,these kids are not being looked at as if they made a mistake they are being judged as bad kids, most of the bad influence they recieve comes from being added to an older group of kids which is the school corporations fault, alot of peer pressure from older students has alot to do with most of their actions,video games,tv shows,pointing fingers yes at the school and society and the news.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 5:26 PM concerned parent wrote ...

I believe these young boys need to be taught early on that when they choose to handle a loaded gun they MUST pay the consequences. They may not have had intentions to use the gun but it should never have been handled in the first place. This is not something a child needs to be "observant" about. They need to be taught to stay away from guns all together. This lesson needs to come from home & obviously in this case it didn't so now it will have to come from the judge.

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