I’m not sure what to make of this story. It’s so horrendous that we live in a world in which children are now viewed a dangerous threat to adults. I really hate that this child had to learn the hard way just how cutthroat society really is, it’s a hard pill to swallow.
In my opinion, black parents should probably teach their kids to ask for help in public places such as stores, gas stations or businesses rather than knocking on random people’s doors. I am in no way condoning blasting at anyone on sight but personally I don’t care for uninvited visitors and automatically go on high alert if someone violates my space without invitation, especially if I don’t know you. It’s nothing personal it’s just that the sign of the times that we live in.
The man who shot at the child claims he had been a victim of burglary multiple times and assumed that the kid was there to “victimize” him again. The sad part is, he might get away with that defense.
Thankfully the kid was not hurt.
What are your thoughts on this?
Brennan Walker didn’t make the morning bus to school. He didn’t have his phone. And he wasn’t sure how to get to his high school.
Brennan needed help finding his way, and the home of Jeffrey Zeigler appeared to be just as good as any to seek neighborly guidance.
Zeigler answered with a shotgun blast.
THE WASHINGTON POST — Jurors on Tuesday watched video of the incident during Zeigler’s trial, which showed how close Brennan, then 14, may have come to a violent death on April 12 in Rochester Hills, Mich.
Zeigler, a retired firefighter, was charged with assault with intent to murder, which could lead to life in prison, Oakland County District Attorney Jessica R. Cooper told The Washington Post on Thursday, along with use of a firearm in a felony.
A camera that appears to be on Zeigler’s porch captured the teenager, who is black, approaching the house with his hands in his pockets and wearing a backpack. Brennan testified Monday that Zeigler’s wife answered the door and immediately accused him of trying to break into the home, the Oakland Press News reported.
“I was scared. I was trying to tell them that I was trying to get to high school, but they weren’t listening,” Brennan testified.
Zeigler’s wife yelled, and Zeigler sprang out of bed, armed himself with a shotgun and ran out to the porch. Brennan, upon seeing the commotion, turned and ran from the house, the video shows.
Brennan was nearly out of the yard when Zeigler appeared shirtless, shouldered his shotgun and leveled the barrel in the teenager’s direction.
He fired a single shot, the video shows. Brennan was not injured.
Cooper declined further comment, citing the trial this week.
Zeigler’s attorney Rob Morad has said that race was not a factor in the shooting (Zeigler is white), and that his client and his wife were on “high alert” after five previous break-ins at their home. Zeigler “acted from passion instead of judgment,” Morad told jurors. He did not return a request for comment Thursday.
Zeigler has also claimed that he accidentally fired the shotgun after slipping. The video shows Zeigler pausing for a few beats before firing the gun. Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Marshall testified he could not say definitively where Zeigler was aiming after reviewing the video, the Press News reported.
The Pen Hustle With Brandy Cavalli 