There is always the "kids will be kids" saying that is suppose to justify whatever bad acts they may commit. But, let's be honest- we don't walk around saying "50 year old adult men will be 50 year old adult men" to justify their actions. Nope, at some point we expect the children to grow up, and to use their natural ability to maintain self control.
Jonathan Watts openly chose to not do that. The kids in his neighbor had been throwing rocks at his home for some time. At one point Watts had even relationated by throwing a brick back at one child. That didn't send the intended message to the children, nor did it curb Watts' need to avenge his anger.
On Tuesday, when Watts was again confronted with a child throwing rocks, he didn't call the police as he had many times before. He didn't even grab another brick. Instead, Watts reached for a more deadly weapon- a loaded shotgun, and aimed at 9 year old Demotric Moore. The irritated man then did the unspeakable- he shot the young boy in the neck- killing him.
There is no way to even begin to defend Watts in this case- his actions were deliberate, and a horrific response to kids throwing rocks. But, while it no way gives him an excuse do to what he did- I have to wonder where the parents were in this one. After all, if this had been going on for this amount of time, and police had previously been called over the situation- what parent in their right mind would allow their children to continue throwing rocks? Just as easily as Watts could have reached to the phone rather than the gun- a involved parent could have also prevented the tragedy by keeping their child in check.
Jonathan Watts openly chose to not do that. The kids in his neighbor had been throwing rocks at his home for some time. At one point Watts had even relationated by throwing a brick back at one child. That didn't send the intended message to the children, nor did it curb Watts' need to avenge his anger.
On Tuesday, when Watts was again confronted with a child throwing rocks, he didn't call the police as he had many times before. He didn't even grab another brick. Instead, Watts reached for a more deadly weapon- a loaded shotgun, and aimed at 9 year old Demotric Moore. The irritated man then did the unspeakable- he shot the young boy in the neck- killing him.
There is no way to even begin to defend Watts in this case- his actions were deliberate, and a horrific response to kids throwing rocks. But, while it no way gives him an excuse do to what he did- I have to wonder where the parents were in this one. After all, if this had been going on for this amount of time, and police had previously been called over the situation- what parent in their right mind would allow their children to continue throwing rocks? Just as easily as Watts could have reached to the phone rather than the gun- a involved parent could have also prevented the tragedy by keeping their child in check.