US boy, 12, held for slaying parents
Source: Agencies |
March 5, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
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THE 12-year-old American boy was described by friends as a wholesome kid who often volunteered at church, handing out bulletins, working audio and video equipment and helping other kids learn Bible verses.
They said he showed no outward signs of family problems.
Then, police say, the boy, whose name was withheld because of his age, did the unthinkable, allegedly killing his parents and wounding two of his younger siblings in a case that has rattled a Colorado rural farming and ranching community of 3,700 near the Kansas border.
Police say they discovered the attacks on Tuesday after the boy called 911 to report a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found the bodies Charles and Marilyn Long, who had been fatally shot. Two of the couple's children - a 5-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy - were wounded.
The 12-year-old boy was then taken into custody, stunning friends and neighbors.
District attorney Robert Watson said on Thursday he plans to file two counts of first-degree murder and other charges against him. He hasn't decided whether to try to prosecute the boy as an adult.
Tom Ward, a public defender representing the boy, declined to comment.
Charles and Marilyn Long, who were in their early 50s, had seven children; four of them are grown and no longer live at home. Marilyn Long home-schooled her kids and ran the children's ministry at the local Evangelical Free Church in Burlington, Colorado. Her husband served as an elder there.
Wally Long, the oldest brother of Charles Long, expressed disbelief about the accusations against his nephew, as well as concern for the boy. The 12-year-old is being held at the nearest juvenile detention facility in Greeley, about 200 kilometers from his hometown.
"Whatever caused it, he is still who he is. He's still my nephew. And the first question I would ask him is, 'How are you?'" Wally Long said on Thursday in an interview broadcast on Denver television stations.
Doctors expect the injured children to fully recover, he said.
Wally Long added his brother and sister-in-law lived for their children and there was nothing to indicate something like this could happen.
"It's a mystery to me. I'm sure it's a mystery to everyone," he said.
The pastor at the family's church agreed, adding he was unaware of any changes in jobs, housing or schooling that the family may have been dealing with.
The Reverend Ron Lee said the boy was involved with church activities, including greeting visitors before Sunday service, running PowerPoint presentations and helping other children memorize Bible verses.
They said he showed no outward signs of family problems.
Then, police say, the boy, whose name was withheld because of his age, did the unthinkable, allegedly killing his parents and wounding two of his younger siblings in a case that has rattled a Colorado rural farming and ranching community of 3,700 near the Kansas border.
Police say they discovered the attacks on Tuesday after the boy called 911 to report a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found the bodies Charles and Marilyn Long, who had been fatally shot. Two of the couple's children - a 5-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy - were wounded.
The 12-year-old boy was then taken into custody, stunning friends and neighbors.
District attorney Robert Watson said on Thursday he plans to file two counts of first-degree murder and other charges against him. He hasn't decided whether to try to prosecute the boy as an adult.
Tom Ward, a public defender representing the boy, declined to comment.
Charles and Marilyn Long, who were in their early 50s, had seven children; four of them are grown and no longer live at home. Marilyn Long home-schooled her kids and ran the children's ministry at the local Evangelical Free Church in Burlington, Colorado. Her husband served as an elder there.
Wally Long, the oldest brother of Charles Long, expressed disbelief about the accusations against his nephew, as well as concern for the boy. The 12-year-old is being held at the nearest juvenile detention facility in Greeley, about 200 kilometers from his hometown.
"Whatever caused it, he is still who he is. He's still my nephew. And the first question I would ask him is, 'How are you?'" Wally Long said on Thursday in an interview broadcast on Denver television stations.
Doctors expect the injured children to fully recover, he said.
Wally Long added his brother and sister-in-law lived for their children and there was nothing to indicate something like this could happen.
"It's a mystery to me. I'm sure it's a mystery to everyone," he said.
The pastor at the family's church agreed, adding he was unaware of any changes in jobs, housing or schooling that the family may have been dealing with.
The Reverend Ron Lee said the boy was involved with church activities, including greeting visitors before Sunday service, running PowerPoint presentations and helping other children memorize Bible verses.
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