Deadly game of Russian roulette shatters peace of small Pennsylvania town

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**Jihadin**

Scott Hammond doesn’t blame the 15-year-old boy accused of killing his only son during a game of Russian roulette at a sleepover in a small Pennsylvania town earlier this month. Instead, he prays for him.

The rural community of Everett, population 2,000, has been devastated by the death of Neal Hammond, also 15, in an incident that forever damaged three families – Hammond’s, the shooter’s and that of the boy who brought the gun to the slumber party. But instead of bitterness and anger in a town where nearly everyone knows everyone, the awful tragedy has spurred an outpouring of compassion, starting with the dead boy's family.

“Cole has been in our hearts since this happened because he and my son were very, very close,” Scott Hammond said of Cole McConoughey, who has been charged with aggravated assault and could face homicide charges in the death of his best friend. “I know it's been weighing on him heavily and we’ve been praying for him every day.”

“My wife and I have been praying for that poor boy. I don’t want to see him face any jail time.”

- Scott Hammond, father of boy killed in Russian roulette

The tragic shooting came at almost the same time a gunman opened fire in a Colorado movie theater, killing 12. But in the basement of the McConougheys' Riverview Road home, there was no demonic intent, only the naive bravado of three teenage boys fascinated by the .38 caliber Smith & Wesson one brought to the party.

The gun was left unloaded in a basement drawer, the third boy, who has not been named and who also faces charges, told police. As midnight drew near and they talked about things boys talk about, McConoughey allegedly took the gun and two bullets out of the drawer. He spun the revolver's cylinder, loading and unloading bullets -- "pointing the gun and joking around," police said.

"Let's play Russian roulette," the boy allegedly heard McConoughey say, according to court documents.

A moment later, McConoughey allegedly pointed the gun at Hammond's head. "He pulled the trigger thinking it was going to click," police said.

Neal Hammond was struck in the right temple and died the next morning, July 20, at 9:30 a.m.

Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said there was no indication of any “altercation, animosity or ill will” between the boys.

“This is a tragic example of the consequences of the irresponsible handling of a firearm,” Higgins said in a statement. “Sadly, this is a situation that could have easily been avoided by adhering to two basic firearm safety measures -- always assume a gun is loaded, and never point a firearm at a target you do not intend to shoot. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the young man who lost his life.”

Investigators say another teen brought the revolver and bullets to the sleepover before McConoughey pointed the gun at Hammond’s head and pulled the trigger. Higgins, who could not be reached for comment, said McConoughey has been charged with aggravated assault as an adult. But that charge will be upgraded to homicide, Higgins told the Altoona Mirror, and whether the boy will face a third-degree murder or a manslaughter charge will depend upon an ongoing investigation, he said.

Whatever the outcome, Scott Hammond, 41, who works with at-risk youth in Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, hopes McConoughey doesn’t serve time for his son’s death.

“Cole’s pain has been a burden on us since the day it happened,” he said. “My wife and I have been praying for that poor boy. I don’t want to see him face any jail time.”

Hundreds of mourners flooded First Christian Church last Wednesday to honor Hammond, a popular wrestler and football player who would have entered his sophomore year at Everett Area High School next month. Rev. Robert Robertson said Hammond was remembered as a “laid back,” altruistic teen who transformed into a tenacious “scrapper” once on a wrestling mat.

“He was a character, a good, likable kid,” Robertson told FoxNews.com. “He had many friends.”

Elsie Meloy, a secretary at the church, said a “feeling of hope” pervaded the service packed with Hammond’s classmates and teammates.

“I’ve never seen that many people in the church for a funeral and I’ve been here for 30 years,” Meloy told FoxNews.com. “Neal was just a kind young man who liked everyone he met.”

Higgins has said charges are expected against other people, but declined to elaborate. An attorney for McConoughey, who was released after posting bail and is due to appear in court next month, reportedly wants the case moved to juvenile court -- as does Scott Hammond.

“I know that this kid could get help in a juvenile facility,” Hammond said of McConoughey. “I don’t think he’ll get the help he needs in an adult facility.”

For now, Hammond said he and his wife Georgina will rely on their faith to help them digest the “freak accident” that killed their son. And Hammond won’t paint firearms as the villain in the killing either, as Neal “knew about guns” from his father’s experience as a hunter.

“I don’t really blame anybody, it was a freak accident,” Hammond said. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward either youth or anybody. It was just an accident.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/31/small-pa-town-reels-after-game-russian-roulette-leaves-three-families/#ixzz22Ddx7qO4

unbelievable. Just ubelievable

**hotsauceman1**

Sounds like a few things.
First what parent left his gun around for a kid to get at? Leaving it in a drawer? with the ammo, in a house with kids that should be against the law.
And second what idiot thinks Russian roulette is a good idea? This get deserves punishment if you ask me As do the owners of the gun for being so careless ith their firearm.

**Melissia**

Sounds like a very dumb parent....

**MrMerlin**

Another reason to make it harder for irresponsible idiots to buy firearms... people like these parents really shouldn't be allowed to own guns. I don't think its the first time something like this has happened.

And don't get me wrong; I don't mind people owning a gun for sports or hunting or whatever, but please make sure they're responsible enough for it!

**Rarmah**

“This is a tragic example of the consequences of the irresponsible handling of a firearm,” Higgins said in a statement. “Sadly, this is a situation that could have easily been avoided by adhering to two basic firearm safety measures -- always assume a gun is loaded, and never point a firearm at a target you do not intend to shoot. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the young man who lost his life.”

Now I'm sorry. but what happened to keeping your firearm in a locked container out of the reach of the young!?

I know UK and US gun laws vastly differ but this sounds just rediculess. Granted the town's responce to this accident is commendable but it was an AVOIDABLE accident.

**Grakmar**

MrMerlin wrote:Another reason to make it harder for irresponsible idiots to buy firearms... people like these parents really shouldn't be allowed to own guns. I don't think its the first time something like this has happened.

And don't get me wrong; I don't mind people owning a gun for sports or hunting or whatever, but please make sure they're responsible enough for it!

Merlin, that's the wrong thinking. We don't need stricter gun controls, we need looser ones!

After all, had those other 2 boys been armed, this terrible tragedy could have been avoided.

**mattyrm**

If you stick two rounds into a weapon, and then point the fether at someone's head and pull the trigger, you fething deserve to go to prison. Its not like 15 is a little kid who doesn't know how guns work.

Stupid little gak. Sure it might not be murder one, but he must have gak for brains, inside is probably the best place for him before he starts drinking weedkiller or drag racing his dads car outside Walmart.

**MeanGreenStompa**

Living in the middle of deepest, darkest PA, all I can say is this bizarre attitude and stupidity are rife and, whilst I appreciate the trash self regulating like this, I do look forward to getting the hell out of here.

**deathholydeath**

mattyrm wrote:If you stick two rounds into a weapon, and then point the fether at someone's head and pull the trigger, you fething deserve to go to prison. Its not like 15 is a little kid who doesn't know how guns work.

Stupid little gak. Sure it might not be murder one, but he must have gak for brains, inside is probably the best place for him before he starts drinking weedkiller or drag racing his dads car outside Walmart.

I find it interesting you think he deserves to go to prison. What happened to kids do stupid things (aka pliers to the temple)?

**Melissia**

Well, obviously, stabbing someone with pliers to the forehead trying to stab out their eyes while shouting that you are going to stab their eyes out and that you hate them is not going to lead to injury and/or death.

**Jihadin**

(aka pliers to the temple)?

is the pliers loaded with one or two rounds?

**GalacticDefender**

If you are going to be stupid and play Russian Roulette, at least have the common sense to aim the fething gun at your foot, not your head.

**Lynata**

Jihadin wrote:"Let's play Russian roulette"

Fething kids these days.

Darwinism at work, even if it claimed "only" one victim this time.

Grakmar wrote:Merlin, that's the wrong thinking. We don't need stricter gun controls, we need looser ones!
After all, had those other 2 boys been armed, this terrible tragedy could have been avoided.

Too soon?

**Jihadin**

After all, had those other 2 boys been armed, this terrible tragedy could have been avoided

Be one sided still. They be armed with Airsoft pistols.

Which has me thinking. I wonder if he was treating a real live loaded weapon like it was an Airsoft pistol.

**kronk**

Rarmah wrote:
Now I'm sorry. but what happened to keeping your firearm in a locked container out of the reach of the young!?

100% agreement.

You absolutely should be keeping your guns locked in a safe and/or gun-locked. Any responsible parent with a gun knows this. Little kids get into everything. Bigger kids (teenagers) like to cause trouble and/or do stupid gak.

Obviously, these parents were careless with their firearms and another teenager lost his life. It's a horrible lesson-learned for parents and kids that were obviously close to each other.

**Lynata**

Jihadin wrote:I wonder if he was treating a real live loaded weapon like it was an Airsoft pistol.

The guns would look remarkably similar and have a comparable weight - but "bullets" for an airsoft revolver would have a hollow opening, which he should know as a 15-yr old if he were interested in airsoft. Most such weapons actually do not use shells, but those that do have them look something like this.
Generally, seeing a gun that looks real, one's first reaction should be to assume that it is, in fact, real, until told (by parents) or proven (by inspecting the ammo) otherwise.

And even if it were an airsoft gun, you don't aim one at another guy's head from close distance. Especially not if the target does not have protection for eyes/teeth. These beasts are gas-powered and it hurts like hell (which is why in a skirmish it's common courtesy to just say "bang" if you jump someone from behind instead of actually shooting them), and worst case ... well, you know the saying about "until somebody loses an eye".

Stupid kid is stupid either way. Damn, what an unnecessary waste of life.

**Jihadin**

Close Lynata. I treat my Airsoft pistol like its a real.

**SilverMK2**

If only the other kids had guns, that would have prevented this from hapeneing... everyone knows guns magically protect you.

**Hordini**

Jihadin wrote:Close Lynata. I treat my Airsoft pistol like its a real.

Exactly. You should treat all firearms, including airsoft and paintball guns as if they're loaded and not point them at anything you don't intend to shoot. That's about as basic as it gets in regards to gun safety.

It's a tragedy and these kids made some bad decisions that will follow them the rest of their life. Also, I totally agree that parents should be responsible with their guns and keep them locked or in a safe. That said, at 15 years old a kid is old enough to learn and know proper gun safety, and probably old enough to figure out how to take off a trigger lock or find the key to the safe.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

SilverMK2 wrote:If only the other kids had guns, that would have prevented this from hapeneing... everyone knows guns magically protect you.

I don't think anyone has ever made this claim, and having the chance to protect yourself or others in an active shooter situation has nothing to do with a 15 year old blatantly disregarding gun safety and unintentionally killing someone.

**Lynata**

Jihadin wrote:Close Lynata. I treat my Airsoft pistol like its a real.

Damn, you have one, too? And I thought I could contribute something.

Oh well. +1 karma for being in the hobby!

Hordini wrote:I don't think anyone has ever made this claim

Some opponents of (stricter) gun control do it all the time - just check out that mega thread here on dakka.

But of course it doesn't apply to accidents (read: stupidity) like in cases such as this one. Pretty sure it was intended as a joke (and slight stab towards said opponents), hence my "to soon?"]

**Hordini**

Lynata wrote:
Jihadin wrote:Close Lynata. I treat my Airsoft pistol like its a real.
Damn, you have one, too? And I thought I could contribute something.

Oh well. +1 karma for being in the hobby!

Hordini wrote:I don't think anyone has ever made this claim
Some opponents of (stricter) gun control do it all the time - just check out that mega thread here on dakka.
But of course it doesn't apply to accidents (read: stupidity) like in cases such as this one. Pretty sure it was intended as a joke (and slight stab towards said opponents), hence my "to soon?"]

I've seen the mega thread. But nobody said that more guns magically protect you. Deliberately misrepresenting an opposing opinion and applying it to a situation where it isn't really applicable (in this case what was basically an accident) doesn't really do anything to further the argument for stricter gun control.

I get that it was supposed to be a joke, it just wasn't particularly funny.

**poda_t**

I'm stuck at the part where it says "15 year old boy". At that age, I'm not going to blame the parents for firearm placement, because I got into all sorts of gak my parents thought they'd locked me out of. I blame this kid, and he deserves jail time. At 15, he should have basic ideas of cause and effect figured out, irrespective of the fact that it's only a 1/3 or 1/4 chance that the gun will fire. This shouldn't even be relegated to manslaughter. The kid wasn't being negligent, the kid loaded rounds into a gun, spun the cylinider, pointed it at someone and pulled the trigger. I don't see how you can make any valid argument of "i didn't intend to kill him". What was the intention then? Scare the living gak out of him? Yeah, then what, pull the trigger a second time and actually kill him?

**daedalus**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
First what parent left his gun around for a kid to get at? Leaving it in a drawer? with the ammo, in a house with kids that should be against the law.

I disagree. I knew how to handle a firearm responsibly at that age, and my family aren't really gun nuts. It shouldn't be the place of the state to legislate laws protecting the blatantly irresponsible. I agree that the parents in this case should be charged, but not for simply having the gun accessible.

And second what idiot thinks Russian roulette is a good idea? This get deserves punishment if you ask me As do the owners of the gun for being so careless ith their firearm.

Now this is a point worth repeating.

**Jihadin**

Why I mention Airsoft. I'm use to handling live weapons for long periods of time and treat my Airsoft the same If the kids were Airsoft fanatics then they're going to view the pitsol as a toy and instead of a dangerous live weapon

**Hordini**

Jihadin wrote:Why I mention Airsoft. I'm use to handling live weapons for long periods of time and treat my Airsoft the same If the kids were Airsoft fanatics then they're going to view the pitsol as a toy and instead of a dangerous live weapon

That's not necessarily true. I agree that it could be true, but it's certainly just as possible that they had been taught proper gun safety at that age (especially if their parents had firearms) and just chose to disregard it.

**Jihadin**

Saying its a possibility.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Off topic a bit. just seems this incident hitting close to home. Four days now I keep having the same dream (Before a majority of my I can't remember). I have eight canisters in front of me. I don't which canister is live but I'm figuring it out. Other clutch is. I'm not sure if its CS, Flashbang, Frag, Smoke, or Incendarary....

**Lynata**

Hordini wrote:I've seen the mega thread. But nobody said that more guns magically protect you.

The claim that guns would prevent crime and thus somehow safe more lives than they'd take was made in that thread - I remember because I specifically argued against that notion (though even the source used to "prove" that didn't say so, it was just interpreted weirdly by the poster).

Hordini wrote:Deliberately misrepresenting an opposing opinion and applying it to a situation where it isn't really applicable (in this case what was basically an accident) doesn't really do anything to further the argument for stricter gun control.

Eh, I think everybody understands what he was getting at. In this case, proponents for gun control actually interested in furthering the argument are more likely to point out how easy it was for the kid to get the gun from where it was stored.

Though I will say that ->

poda_t wrote:I'm stuck at the part where it says "15 year old boy". At that age, I'm not going to blame the parents for firearm placement, because I got into all sorts of gak my parents thought they'd locked me out of.

... is a very good point.

**deathholydeath**

Jihadin wrote:
(aka pliers to the temple)?

is the pliers loaded with one or two rounds?

6 full rounds of HATE!

**Jihadin**

Serious HATE I see. One round three kills

**Necroshea**

Who the hell points a gun at their friend and pulls the trigger? Even if the cylinder is obviously out of a revolver I would never point it at a friend, let alone touch the trigger. Sheesh.