Boys Death an Accident

RED EYE
Page 11
Tuesday, September 14,2010
By : Antonio Perez (Chicago Tribune)
Boy's Death an Accident
For years, a multigenerational Pierce family raised their children in the far
south side in the Roseland neighborhood where they felt safe, with the majority of
older residents and family living nearby. For the exception of one family member,
who felt the home wasn't safe. So he bought a gun. On a Sunday evening, after
finding the key, the two brothers went into the basement to open the box that kept
the 20-guage weapon! A 12 year old Michael Pierce and his 14 year old brother
decided to play with the gun. When suddenly it went off , striking Michael in the
face. Michael's adopted mother told police she found him at 6:50 pm on the foot of
the basement stairs. He was then taken to Oak Lawn Hospital. Where he was
pronounced dead in less than 30 minutes. After an investigation by the police
department and the Department of children's and family Services , it was concluded
that it was an accident and the 14year old boy was released.

This is a tragedy where a child has lost his life to an accidental shooting, also the boy
who shot his own brother is going to need therapy to live with this for the rest of his life.
Unfortunately this happens allot. Children are very curious and will eventually find a way to
get into things. In this incident the gun was locked away and the boys knew where the guns
was kept and still managed to get a hold of the gun. People buy guns to
protect their home and family but who is going to protect the children from getting a hold of
the gun. I really think people with children should not have guns in their home there are
many other options and ways to protect a home such as alarms and stun guns.