According to Kosciusko Police Chief Herbert Dew, there have been three incidents involving youths in possession of firearms within the last month.
“I hope it’s a trend that doesn’t continue,” he said. “Luckily, nothing happened in either instance, but it could have been bad in both cases.”
On February 22, Capt. Tommy Pender responded to a report of a youth waiving a firearm around while walking on Aponaug Road. When Pender arrived at the scene, the youth actually pulled the firearm out in front of the officer.
“The officer had enough restraint not to open fire on him,” said Dew.
In a second instance, several officers responded to a report of a fight at Aponaug Park off West Jefferson Street. Three vehicles attempted to leave the parking area as police arrived and they were stopped for questioning. In all, 13 youths, two of whom admitted to talking about fighting one another, were questioned.
During questioning, officers asked three youths to remove their hands from pockets and as one did, Dew said he saw a weapon in the pocket of the hoodie worn by one of the youths who had talked about fighting.
In the final case, a 13-year-old reportedly shot another in the face with a BB handgun that looked like a real firearm.
Dew asked parents to be more diligent about knowing their childrens’ whereabouts and about any firearms that might be kept in the home.
