Mark Tyson
November 10, 2003, 09:38 PM
Posted on Mon, Nov. 10, 2003
Kansas City Star
Shooting suspect, 6, evaluated
The Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY — A 6-year-old boy suspected of shooting his grandfather to death with a .22-caliber rifle had a history of mental illness and of attacking family members, authorities said.
James Zbinden, 59, was found dead Friday at his Cole County home after his grandson ran into the street and flagged down a passing neighbor, Cole County Sheriff John Hemeyer said.
The boy, who has not been identified, is being evaluated at a central Missouri mental health facility.
“We believe, at this time, that he killed his grandfather intentionally,” Hemeyer said. An autopsy Saturday morning showed Zbinden bled to death from a single gunshot wound near his armpit.
Hemeyer said Zbinden and the boy were alone Friday when the boy apparently found a gun that family members thought had been disposed of years ago. It’s unclear what led to the attack, Hemeyer said.
“This is a kid who has attacked family members before with no provocation,” Hemeyer said.
On the Monday before Zbinden’s death, the boy had been released from a central Missouri mental health center, where he had been admitted for treatment after he attacked another family member, Hemeyer said.
Past assaults have involved siblings and parents, Hemeyer said.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/7224167.htm
Kansas City Star
Shooting suspect, 6, evaluated
The Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY — A 6-year-old boy suspected of shooting his grandfather to death with a .22-caliber rifle had a history of mental illness and of attacking family members, authorities said.
James Zbinden, 59, was found dead Friday at his Cole County home after his grandson ran into the street and flagged down a passing neighbor, Cole County Sheriff John Hemeyer said.
The boy, who has not been identified, is being evaluated at a central Missouri mental health facility.
“We believe, at this time, that he killed his grandfather intentionally,” Hemeyer said. An autopsy Saturday morning showed Zbinden bled to death from a single gunshot wound near his armpit.
Hemeyer said Zbinden and the boy were alone Friday when the boy apparently found a gun that family members thought had been disposed of years ago. It’s unclear what led to the attack, Hemeyer said.
“This is a kid who has attacked family members before with no provocation,” Hemeyer said.
On the Monday before Zbinden’s death, the boy had been released from a central Missouri mental health center, where he had been admitted for treatment after he attacked another family member, Hemeyer said.
Past assaults have involved siblings and parents, Hemeyer said.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/7224167.htm