14-year-old shot during Mich. toilet paper prank

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 13, 2008 at 9:28 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 13, 2008 at 9:28 AM EST

SOLON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A toilet paper prank has led to the shooting of a 14-year-old by a southwestern Michigan man who believed strangers were trying to break into his home.

The Grand Rapids Press and WZZM-TV report the victim and four other teens were pulling the prank about 1 a.m. Sunday at a home in Solon Township, about 20 miles northeast of Grand Rapids.

Kent County sheriff's Lt. Jerry Miedema says the teens were intent on draping the house in toilet paper, while the homeowner's "intent was to come out shooting."

Police say three shots were fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, striking the 14-year-old in the chest, stomach and leg. He is recovering at a local hospital.

The homeowner was not arrested, but a prosecutor is looking into possible charges.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 8:32 AM oldsttoggie1 wrote ...

I live by this man and a week before 2 kids dragged a man and his wife out of their house and taken to atm machines and than to a feild and shot dead and this man must have heard about this cause it was all over the news. They had no time to call the cops either.

Thursday, Oct 16 at 8:59 AM mandy sonner wrote ...

I love tp'ing. this guy is dumb.

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 8:47 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I think Kraftwerk needs to be TP'd a few times.

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 10:24 AM Stick wrote ...

What ever happened to yell first. Scream out of the window and threaten to call the police first. I guess the homeowner has a clean conscience today as this boy recovers from serious injuries. Yeah, I can't wait until my neighbor kids throw a ball into my yard....this gives me permission to unload an AR-15 into them. This is what fear mongering Republicans have instilled in our seniors. Shoot first before someone steals your barbeque grill. Wow, what a world.

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 8:29 AM DEBBIE wrote ...

At 1:00 am is way past thier bed time and they were on his turf. Not many people take chances any more. i know i will not. I will shoot first and ask questions later.there are very young kids taking guns to school. shoot in the air,and take a chance they are armed, not in my days.guess he can toilet paper the halls at the hospital now,and the shooter taught him something his parents do not care to teach him. respect others or pay for it. and go toilet paper the ones who feel sorry for you.I don`

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:58 PM Do No Harm wrote ...

I'm glad all of you "shoot 'em" people aren't my neighbors! I have elderly people cut across my lawn a lot because I live near a retirement community. I don't get angry with them, but instead I say "hello" and wish them a nice day. They in turn are some of the nicest people I know. I also live near a school and I wouldn't think of harming any of those children for being in my yard, even after a ball game after dark. I'm glad I don't live with all that hate and fear like some of you.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:17 PM John Carmack wrote ...

It will be nice when Obama get in office and can eliminate most of the guns. He will be able to change the constitution to more adapt to the hope and change that we need.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:40 PM don't shoot wrote ...

I was taught to only shoot if you know what you are shooting. Man shot at sb police last year because he couldn't see them late at night and is now in jail. Best to be sure what you are shooting.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 5:33 PM Ellen wrote ...

To Jeff and KG: There's this little thing called punctuation. Learn it and use it.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 5:28 PM MM wrote ...

do not trespass and you have nothing to worry about. I am sick and tired of the pro criminal panty waists.that's why we have hoodlums like those.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 4:42 PM David wrote ...

when is toilet paper a sign of being robbed?

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 3:51 PM Carolyn wrote ...

For the NRA basher. Guess what? I belong to the NRA and I don't believe in God nor do I go about shooting at everything and everyone in sight. Your sterotype is soooo boring!

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:57 PM jeff wrote ...

hey anonymous wouldnt you be jumpy at 100 in the morning hearing noises what you going to do go out and ask you might get a slice of knife at that time or hit in the head with something im taking my gun and asking questions later ther is no reason for some one on your property at that time

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Kg you’re the idiot. Its morons like you that get these gun control freaks to start their wining. Since when do littering/vandalism warrant getting shot?

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:34 PM been there wrote ...

To all who snear at the shooter: You've apparently never been awakened from a deep sleep by strangers who may be there to harm you. Take a walk in that property owner's shoes before you cast judgement.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:29 PM Back at Kraftwerk wrote ...

You tree huggers are all the same, take away the guns because they kill people. Get real, man. People kill people. They'll do it with knives, pitchforks and their bare hands. Taking away guns isn't the answer. You know it or you'd be lobbying in Washington.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:26 PM CC wrote ...

There's a 15 yr old kid who lives down the road from us. His parents have let him run like a wild child for four years that I know of. Afterall Jr. would never do anything wrong. They're telling it to the cops now cuz I got sick of it.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:23 PM also sick of trespassers wrote ...

Take note kids who have nothing better to do than destroy others' property: We're coming out shooting.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

its to bad he didn't shot the other 3 they might have learned from there mistake

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:11 AM Jen wrote ...

I understand that "children must play," so really, it was a harmless crime. But then again, when its dark out, and you hear people outside your house and you have no clue what the heck is going on, I'd be a little frantic too. Not that it was right to shoot, but he should have called police, or threatened to do so as he held the gun. This story is a little too conflicted

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...

It's impossible to pass judgment on this with the information given. Who were the kids? Who was the man? What kind of neighborhood does he live in? Has it happened before? Does he have a reason for being so jumpy?

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:03 AM PQ wrote ...

Those classes are already offered, you dolts. Show up at my house at 1 AM to do something stupid and well let's say it just won't be pretty.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:01 AM too bad wrote ...

Too bad the kid got shot but until we as citizens take back our streets and cities crime will continue. Should he have shot them, no, should they have been trespassing, no. However, if these kids and adults would quit getting a slap on the wrist for a crime maybe this would not have happened. Bet these kids won't tp again.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:52 AM kg wrote ...

laurie and tob you both need a life morons like you are always right but yet if you was to get tp all over your place you would be the first to cry

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:31 AM jeff wrote ...

what were the kids doing out at 1 am this man had all his rights to shoot what would you people do if this was you you dont know if they are going to break into your house what you going to do let them maybe then they would shoot you now days you dont know good job to the home owner i would have donr the same thing the only one that should be punished here are his parents for leetig them run the streets at that hour and for those of you that dont agree your morons

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:16 AM Anonymous wrote ...

play around my house at 1 AM and see what happens...i use a rifle and not a shotgun.....

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 7:09 AM Laurie wrote ...

People, maybe these kids snuck out to do this. Don't judge the parents without all the facts.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 5:59 AM Tob wrote ...

Karma sucks. Obviously this guy went beyond his legal right.His life was not threatened as the story above would lead you to believe. On the other hand if these kids weren't out screwing around they wouldn't have a buddy in the hospital. I'm tired of gun control ferrys. Hey a cop ran over a guy with a car... we should take all the cars away from people before they kill everyone.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 5:52 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN ALL THREE OF THEM. IF IT HAPPEN AGAIN GET THEM AGAIN.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:15 AM Upset wrote ...

For those of you who are too dense to understand -classes would teach people how to use their guns properly and how to be more responsible with them, like shouting out a warning first before shooting. No one should just shoot blindly into the dark, hoping to hit anything that is moving, especially in a well populated area. Those of you that think I'm wrong aren't smart enough to own a gun either. Shooting someone is serious!

Monday, Oct 13 at 7:03 PM BD MCGEE wrote ...

No more tee peeing at Smithers next year or ever.

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:23 PM For Kraftwerk wrote ...

While I don't agree with you at all maybe this will help your understanding of certain things. The man could have fired a warning shot into the air. He could have waited for them to actually break into his home. He shot a kid and probably feels like hell. Guns don't kill people nor are they a cancer. Criminals have more guns than law abiding citizens do. The kids were breaking the law. The kids were vandalizing. The kids were out past curfew. The kids instigated this tragedy. Hope everyone is ok

Monday, Oct 13 at 5:36 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Hey I am a strong supporter of the second amendment but sounds like this guy used excessive force. He obviously should not own a gun because he is not capable of determining the difference between a prank and having his life threatened. I strongly appose new gun banning laws, if they would enforce the current laws he would not be allowed to own a gun.

Monday, Oct 13 at 5:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Kraftwerk your such a drama queen.

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:35 PM Kraftwerk wrote ...

Whatever man, you NRA types are all the same. Shoot first then hide behind your amendments and bibles and Charles Bronson. People are dying man and no one stops it. Guns are like a lung cancer on our nation and the NRA is like a cigarette company. I never tp'd a house, no one ever invits me along cos they figure Im too emo. But man, gettin shot doin it, would get me mad kudos.

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:16 PM Relax Kraft wrote ...

Happen to agree with you, was being sarcastic to the person who suggested a class would have prevented this horrible event.

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:14 PM Rick wrote ...

If the parent(s) bothered to parent that child.....maybe that 14 year old would have been home at 1 AM. But then again, too many parents don't want to deal with discipline. And yes, I support that homeowner. Betcha that wasn't the only time they targeted the man's house. He's probably mean old Mr. Smithers, down the street.

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:23 PM Kraftwerk wrote ...

To "OK" yes, accidents will happen. And I'm sure that would be a great comfort to you as you hold your dying child, trying to stuff his intestines back into his fading body, his blood soaking your clothes, life draining into the wet slick grass. A raspy "I'm sorry" falling like dead leaves from the shooters mouth. Your bloodied hands unable to hold onto your childs last word : "why?". Yes, just an accident, no harm no foul.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:10 AM OK.......... wrote ...

How is a class going to prevent this incident. As long as we have the right to bear arms then some "accidents" are going to occur. Shoot first ask questions later.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:10 AM You are wrong wrote ...

This guy had every right to protect his property. The 2nd Amendment gives us the right. Granted, he should have shouted a warning, but if he did and the kids ignored it, then he had every right to protect his family and property.

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:48 AM Wingtip wrote ...

Michigan is not Texas, as that homeowner apparently believes, where after dark trespassers can be shot at will. He really needs to be chastised somewhat for being too quick on the trigger. Apparently, he was, at no time, threatened with bodily harm by those boys. I would assume that the bow's parents will be suing hime as well........

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:26 AM Cold Dead Hands wrote ...

Excellent work homeowner. Never mind shouting a warning, or firing a warning shot. Just assume anyone is a trespassing serial killer or burglar and BLAST THEM TO THEIR MAKER!!!!!! Now, you may want to consider a better weapon or ammo because if you hit the defenseless kid 3 times and didnt kill him, you're doin something wrong!

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:19 AM Frank wrote ...

I really don't blame the guy, with the rash of thefts, home invasions and other criminal activities like vandalism, You would think a homeowner should have reasonable rights. Why was a 14 year old allowed out at 1:00 am?

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:00 AM Upset wrote ...

This is exactly why people should have to take classes about gun use and be tested before being allowed to own a gun. I know everyone is going to say this kid shouldn't have been toilet papering his house, and maybe they are right, but this guy was stupid and careless when he came out shooting. You just don't start shooting just because you hear some noises.

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