I have to say that I am shocked that the Police Chief owns the business that co sponsored this event. Those who have experience with firearms, are involved in training, etc, should know the limitations of a child and weapon of that size.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/police_chief_in.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6
Police chief indicted after Uzi death of boy, 8
By Michael Levenson and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
The longtime police chief of a small Western Massachusetts town was one of three people indicted today on involuntary manslaughter charges for the death of an 8-year-old boy who fatally shot himself with a machine gun at a weapons exposition in Westfield.
Pelham Police Chief Edward B. Fleury owns COP Firearms & Training, which cosponsored the Machine Gun Shoot on Oct. 26 at the Westfield Sportsman's Club. Christopher Bizilj died while firing a 9mm Micro Uzi that recoiled and fatally shot him in the head.
The grand jury also indicted the club and two men who supplied the Uzi that killed the boy. The men were identified as Carl Guiffre of Hartford and Domenico Spano of New Milford, Conn.
Prosecutors did not seek an indictment against the boy's father, Dr. Charles Bizilj, who brought his son to the gun show and was standing with a camera 10 feet behind his son as he fired the weapon that afternoon. Bizilj, an emergency room physician from Ashford, Conn., "will be punished every day of the rest of his life," Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett said this afternoon at a press conference, according to a story on the website of the Springfield Republican.
Fleury and the club also were indicted on four counts each of furnishing a machine gun to a minor. Bennett said prosecutors know of at least four children, including Christopher, who fired the automatic weapons. The club faces a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation.
"Obviously, we're very disappointed with the indictment," said Fleury's lawyer, David C. Kuzmeski. "And we, of course, have great sympathy for the family involved in the tragic accident. And as to the indictments, we will defend them and feel confident that when its all over, Chief Fleury will be exonerated."
Fleury has been police chief in Pelham for 20 years. The bucolic town of 1,400 outside Amherst also has one part-time police officer and another full-time officer, Gary Thomann, who has been serving as chief since Fleury went on a sick leave immediately after the fatal shooting.
Fleury was well-known in Pelham for his personal zeal for gun safety. He regularly visited the schools to teach the National Rifle Association's "Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program" to children as young as 5 and 6. He also taught gun safety courses for adults.
Town officials had no immediate comment.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/12/police_chief_in.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6
Police chief indicted after Uzi death of boy, 8
By Michael Levenson and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
The longtime police chief of a small Western Massachusetts town was one of three people indicted today on involuntary manslaughter charges for the death of an 8-year-old boy who fatally shot himself with a machine gun at a weapons exposition in Westfield.
Pelham Police Chief Edward B. Fleury owns COP Firearms & Training, which cosponsored the Machine Gun Shoot on Oct. 26 at the Westfield Sportsman's Club. Christopher Bizilj died while firing a 9mm Micro Uzi that recoiled and fatally shot him in the head.
The grand jury also indicted the club and two men who supplied the Uzi that killed the boy. The men were identified as Carl Guiffre of Hartford and Domenico Spano of New Milford, Conn.
Prosecutors did not seek an indictment against the boy's father, Dr. Charles Bizilj, who brought his son to the gun show and was standing with a camera 10 feet behind his son as he fired the weapon that afternoon. Bizilj, an emergency room physician from Ashford, Conn., "will be punished every day of the rest of his life," Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett said this afternoon at a press conference, according to a story on the website of the Springfield Republican.
Fleury and the club also were indicted on four counts each of furnishing a machine gun to a minor. Bennett said prosecutors know of at least four children, including Christopher, who fired the automatic weapons. The club faces a fine of up to $10,000 for each violation.
"Obviously, we're very disappointed with the indictment," said Fleury's lawyer, David C. Kuzmeski. "And we, of course, have great sympathy for the family involved in the tragic accident. And as to the indictments, we will defend them and feel confident that when its all over, Chief Fleury will be exonerated."
Fleury has been police chief in Pelham for 20 years. The bucolic town of 1,400 outside Amherst also has one part-time police officer and another full-time officer, Gary Thomann, who has been serving as chief since Fleury went on a sick leave immediately after the fatal shooting.
Fleury was well-known in Pelham for his personal zeal for gun safety. He regularly visited the schools to teach the National Rifle Association's "Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program" to children as young as 5 and 6. He also taught gun safety courses for adults.
Town officials had no immediate comment.
Just dealing with the child's mother should be punishment enough.
