No charges in pellet rifle fatality of PTC girl, 6
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 6:50pm
Submitted by Ben Nelms
Submitted by Ben Nelms
A 6-year-old Peachtree City girl died shortly after noon Jan. 20 after being accidentally shot in the throat by her brother with a pellet rifle, Peachtree City police reports said. No charges are expected to be filed in the accident.
The “middle brother” was standing at a window in an upstairs bonus room and swung around with a pellet rifle in his hands when his sister, Ellie Nigro of a Teal Vista address in Planterra Ridge subdivision, entered the room, police reports said.
“He turned in the direction of his sister who was standing in the doorway to the hall when he discharged the pellet rifle in her direction,” the report said. “He stated that he did not know it was loaded and the round struck his sister. He stated that he then threw the rifle out of the window and ‘smashed’ it.”
A pellet rifle with a broken stock was found by police in the driveway.
The father called 911, according to the report released Tuesday and officers and firefighters arrived at approximately 12:26 p.m.
“Upon arrival, the child was unconscious and in very critical condition as a result of this wound,” said department spokesperson Rosanna Dove.
With police units blocking intersections, fire department personnel rushed the girl to Piedmont Fayette Hospital where she died.
Dove said the pellet struck the front of the girl’s throat, adding that autopsy reports on the cause of death are pending.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family as they cope with this unfortunate accident,” Dove said.
The first officer on the scene found the child lying on the kitchen floor. The officer found the girl to be breathing shallowly and somewhat responsive. “I held the hand that was above her head and it closed lightly around my hand,” the officer’s report said.
Officers at the scene indicated that they located a number of Airsoft guns, both rifles and pistols, in the residence along with a number of CO2 cartridges.
Reports said officers found numerous Airsoft rounds on the floor throughout the upstairs portion of the house along with an open container of pellets near a window and a plastic container of BBs on a table. Also located in both the bonus room and in a boy’s bedroom were hand-drawn targets that had damage consistent with being shot with a BB or Airsoft gun, according to police reports.
Reports also noted that the trees located across the driveway from the window had damage consistent with being struck with BBs and pellets and that the yard and driveway were littered with Airsoft pellets. A further notation in the report said that it appeared that the window screen in the upstairs playroom had been permanently removed to allow the discharge of the weapons into the tree line on the property, adding that a closer inspection of the trees and surrounding area confirmed this.
Dove said that while it is legal to own a pellet gun in Peachtree City, the ordinance pertaining to such weapons prohibits the firing of projectiles inside city limits.
An account has been set up at Delta Community Credit Union in Ellie Nigro’s name for people who would like to help with the funeral expenses.
The funeral service was held Jan. 24 at Dogwood Church.
Wed, 02/08/2012 - 9:10pm
#2
Ben Nelms
AtHomeGym... I believe reporters have the responsibility to report a balanced story. He took information that was very black and white and printed a story solely based on the police report. Did he bother to learn anything about the family? Did he attempt to get a response from family or friends? Obviously he did not. It is not my place to share the otherside but the picture that was painted from the police report was very inaccurate. I'm sure if someone came in to your house unexpectedly they could probably write a report based on the findings they see and make you look bad as well.
Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:15am
#3
Athomegym
You are correct... Everyone has a right to their opinion,however, I am disappointed in the lack of compassion shown for this family ..especially the parents and two brothers who are suffering more than any of us can imagine. It is easy for us sitting back and making judgements because we are perfect. I would love to swim laps in the pool... If only it was open!!
Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:15am
#4
Athomegym
You are correct... Everyone has a right to their opinion,however, I am disappointed in the lack of compassion shown for this family ..especially the parents and two brothers who are suffering more than any of us can imagine. It is easy for us sitting back and making judgements because we are perfect. I would love to swim laps in the pool... If only it was open!!
Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:15am
#5
Athomegym
You are correct... Everyone has a right to their opinion,however, I am disappointed in the lack of compassion shown for this family ..especially the parents and two brothers who are suffering more than any of us can imagine. It is easy for us sitting back and making judgements because we are perfect. I would love to swim laps in the pool... If only it was open!!
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 4:01pm
#6
Shameful
In the January 20th article, the PTC Police spokesman Rosanna Dove stated "No further information will be released out of respect for the family,”. The keyword in this statement is RESPECT. I am absolutely ashamed of not only the citizens that have commented online to this story but to the Citizen for printing this story the day after this family held the funeral for this sweet girl. What happened PTC spokeman Dove and to the Citizen about respecting the family? Furthermore, the article could not have painted a more slanted or negative picture of this accident. If I did not know this family and had only this article to go by I probably would think the same thing. However, unlike some of the nasty people on this site, I do know the otherside. This article just shows me how not to believe anything this paper has to write about. Gun debates have gone on for years and will continue to go on but the BOTTOM LINE here is that two wonderful parents and two loving brothers lost their daughter and sister. They will have to live with this for the rest of their lives... no laws or legal punishment will bring sweet Ellie back. Everyone has a right to their opinion but you obviously DO NOT KNOW this family nor what really happened. If you want to pass judgement based on the conjecture presented by this paper.. that is your business but have enough respect for this situation not to voice it here. As for the Citizen.. you should be ashamed. Why couldnt you have left it with your original story like spokeman Dove requested. For all the bashers out there, you are the bigger fools for believing that you are perfect and "accident" free.
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 8:18pm
#7
Friends, let's make comments as if we were face-to-face.
I wonder how many of you would say, in person, all the things you write online. There are a couple dozen of us who have posted our opinion on this story. If the 20-30 of us were sitting in a small room together, would we be talking this way? Some of us, yes. Some of us, no.
If you don't have the courage to say something to everyone's face, don't say it here about this story. This isn't politics or a debate over a new big-box store. We're not complaining about landscaping on one of the parkways.
This is a family in great pain. You would be hard-pressed to find a lot of families who have had this level of tragedy. Sure, it happens, but this family is devastated, and some of you want to rub salt in the wound or are advocating criminal charges. Do you really think you can punish these parents beyond what they've experience? There's nothing you can do to punish them. Nothing. They know the mistakes they made, and whoa to you who think you aren't making parenting mistakes.
I learned a long time ago that when I start pointing at the speck in someone else's eye that I soon find a plank in my own.
I could go on and on about how this tragedy could have been prevented. What good would that do? Nothing. Those parents are going to be more critical of themselves than you could ever be.
So, for those of you steaming with anger and pointing fingers, please read your Bibles and calm down.
God is real, and He teaches us humility when we get too proud.
And for what it's worth: Cal, is there a particular reason you thought comments should be open for this article? And wasn't the article you published last Saturday good enough? It gave the basic details and was fine the way it was.
Dude...come on!
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 4:04pm
#8
Well said! Thank you for your
Well said! Thank you for your positive feedback and support.
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:17am
#9
He who is without sin...
This is just a horrible, gut-wrenching tragedy. No charges were filed and no charges should be filed. The law simply should not attempt to find criminal fault with every bad thing that happens. These parents will certainly suffer enough and will live with regrets the rest of their life.
We all have made mistakes and errors of judgement in our lives that, had events turned out for the worse, would put us in a similar situation. Let's show a little compassion as a community and let the family grieve for the loss of a child; a situation I cannot even begin to imagine. He who is without sin, cast the first stone.
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:10am
#10
So things we grew up doing
So things we grew up doing were wrong, that's why laws were changed. That's why kids are in car seats and they have to wear a helmet when riding bikes. So there's not a law yet to keep children from playing with what could be lethal. There should be, but die hard NRA freaks want no regulations for guns. They say...I teach my kids how to use a weapon and that would never happen. But not all parents are responsible, obviously. Should these parents be held accountable, absolutely. If mom left her meth where her kid could get ahold of it and ingest it, and the child died...she would have been in jail that night...it was an accident, sure, but it was still neglect and abuse. Would her family be mourning, of course. But it would still be her fault. Mom and dad purchased these "toys" for their children and provided zero supervision of their use. Their action, or lack of supervision directly caused a beautiful child's death. Personally I think it's a travesty they weren't arrested or at least under a DFCS investigation, and citizens of PTC should be appalled. How could anybody think those children are in a safe environment? Come on PTC protect our children, even if the parents refuse to.
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 4:10pm
#11
Are you seriously comparing
Are you seriously comparing this situation to a meth Lab? If so, you are only showing the lack of intellegence you hold. Jail... DFCS??? Seriously... You obviously do not know the situation nor the family. If you go through life only believing in what you read in the papers.. you are being severely misinformed and have no clue of the real world. Enough said!
Fri, 01/27/2012 - 9:52am
#12
Chavez is for you
Come on PTC protect our children, even if the parents refuse to.
Yes the Government knows best. Surely some elected official is far more intelligent then those that actually work for living.
Fri, 01/27/2012 - 10:16am
#13
Well you know Steve
It does take a Village! :)
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:25pm
#14
sad loss
Offer love and support for this family...not judgment
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:26pm
#15
sad loss
Offer love and support for this family...not judgment
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:11pm
#16
Big Difference
There can be a big difference between an AirSoft plastic "BB" and a pellet gun.
Which was it?
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:28am
#17
Kid + Airsoft =Bad Parents
PERIOD!
Sat, 01/28/2012 - 4:18pm
#18
Yo... airsoft, bb guns,
Yo... airsoft, bb guns, pellet guns have been marketed toward children for years!! My brother had one growing up so there must be millions of "bad parents" out there. Accidents happen everyday.. unfortunately this accident cost a sweet girl her life and her parent and brothers will have to live with this for the rest of their lives. I am sure they know the things they "could have" done differently.. but bad parents they ARE NOT! Do you know this family? Do you know all of the things they do for their kids everyday? I highly doubt you do. Therefore, please refrain from calling people you DO NOT KNOW "bad parents".
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:33pm
#19
You should be ashamed Yo
The parents are grieving and you throw a rock at them. Shame Shame Shame on you!!!! God bless their family. Nothing will ever heal this loss but time will mend it some.. my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Yo... someday your comment will bite you in the behind and i wish you the best when it does. no one deserves this kind of treatment after a loss. you should be ashamed!!!!
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:41pm
#20
Understand
I understand your comment and in the other article I offered my prayers and condolences... BUT...my statement wasn't directed at this family, but to ALL parents that allow their kids to have these deadly weapons. My heart aches terribly for this family and has cost me days of sleep since it hit so close to home. My own son BEGGED me for an airsoft rifle because his friends had one. I had enough common sense and parenting intelligence to say NO... Plus he had to listen to my non-stop preaching that something bad was bound to happen... and horrificly it has. I am very,very angry... god and this country gave me a right to an opinion... this whole mess could have been prevented. And now I "hear" parents are taking their kids airsoft rifles away now all over town...REALLY...did it take this horrible tradgedy to motivate parents??? So incredibly sad...
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 8:48am
#21
Maybe they can make a new line of clothes for kids
You know use bubble wrap instead of cotton.
Instead of painting the kids room we can using old mattresses.
Also need to get rid of all metal utensils in the house... Use plastic instead.
You know Cars and Buses are just so danged dangerous just keep the kids at home and don't even let them outside.
I mean we have to protect the little fledglings don't we?
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 5:58pm
#22
Really?
If you think they qualify as the same threat as something that has the word "GUN" in the description, congratulations... you are the next parent of the year...unbelieveable
You know use bubble wrap instead of cotton.
Instead of painting the kids room we can using old mattresses.
Also need to get rid of all metal utensils in the house... Use plastic instead.
You know Cars and Buses are just so danged dangerous just keep the kids at home and don't even let them outside.
I mean we have to protect the little fledglings don't we?
Fri, 01/27/2012 - 9:56am
#23
Ban water guns as well...
I think that they should ban all water pistols and even nerf guns.
After-all it has the word "Gun" in it so it's obviously evil.
Ever had someone shoot you in the eye with a water gun... I mean it can make you blink and say ouch and all that.
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 6:27pm
#24
Yo & S. Lindsey
Yo,obviously you don't know Steve, who is a serious "gun guy"--don't try to read too much into every post and always be on the lookout for serious sarcasm.
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:09am
#25
When i grew up
11 year olds hunted for deer and went duck hunting. When I grew up high school kids had guns in their gun racks at school. Now you are arrested for a boy scout knife. Shame on you for pointing a finger at the parents once again. I had a BB gun when I grew up and my kids had airsoft. They are alive and well. Shame on you. Shame on you for blaming the parents. Shame on you!!
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 8:36pm
#26
and...
we once lived in caves, alienated races, mistreated women etc etc... but progress makes us better. Shame on you for taking you narrow minded view of the world and found acceptence because YOU had a simaler hobby. If this family was in the ghetto and the girl found a crack pipe and died from it, you would defend the parents cause you dabbled in a little pot back in the day. No... you would have this parent arrested immediately.
And all of you cut the "god" crap... unless you want to accept Pearl Harbor, Waco, and 911 as gods will. Google how many accidents these "toys" cause every year.
11 year olds hunted for deer and went duck hunting. When I grew up high school kids had guns in their gun racks at school. Now you are arrested for a boy scout knife. Shame on you for pointing a finger at the parents once again. I had a BB gun when I grew up and my kids had airsoft. They are alive and well. Shame on you. Shame on you for blaming the parents. Shame on you!!
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 1:33pm
#27
Shame on you!
Who is to blame? The mailman? the neighbor down the street? Aunt edna in Toledo? you?
Of course the parents are to blame for this. It is the parents responsibility to educate their children properly and it appears the parents failed miserably. My guess is you also were taught (which you then passed on to your kids) proper gun etiquete and safety. I know when I was young had I pulled my BB Gun from it's case inside the house, I would have been whipped. The article leads me to believe that the children in this house were given the freedom to play with these weapons as if they were nothing more then a set of Lincoln Logs.
While I am not faulting the parents for giving the kids these weapons in the first place, I am faulting them for not taking enough time to properly teach them the risks of owning one.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:42pm
#28
*
*
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 11:47pm
#29
This is ever so sad.
This makes my blood boil to hear about tragedies like this. Where are the parents?
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:08pm
#30
Where where my parents
when I had a bb gun or a wood burning kit or a chemistry set or lawn darts or swimming in the kiddy pool in the back yard..or riding in the car with out a car seat . Your right it is a tragedie ..but please let the parents morn.. You do not know what they feeling right now. Why pile on!!! you also should be ashamed!! God Bless the family my thoughts are with you.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:10pm
#31
k
k
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:49am
#32
Yes Cy this is a Sad Story
I hope and pray that this family can heal and recover from this tragedy.
It sounds like this child had been shooting out of that window for a long time. They are lucky he didn't hit anyone else. About 6 months ago an ER doc had written a letter to this paper asking people to be careful because of the number of kids he had seen that were losing eyes because of "airsoft" guns and pellet guns. Hopefully now we can all learn from this tragedy. Take kids to a gun range where they can practice on targets in a safe environment. Our local 4-H club has a group that has won many awards in gun competition, plus the kids learn gun safety. Autery's in Fayetteville has NRA safety classes that would be a perfect place for kids to learn and practice.
Just because the police don't enforce the city ordinance about target practice or firing guns in the city doesn't mean it's not a good ordinance. The ordinance about not firing guns (unless you are defending your life) is a good one designed to keep us all safe.
This was a tragic accident that didn't have to happen.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:17pm
#33
Skyspy & Tragedy
Of course your cmts are all correct, but editmom & justacitizen will chuck you into the "no compassion"/insensitive" basket instead of being able to see the "lessons learned" aspect of your post. Ahhh, mids at Atlanta Center--what a drag! For that matter, mids anywhere! I was always absolutely wasted about 5am.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:26pm
#34
Hey AtHome: Safety
I'm not insensitive. I think many parents really don't know how dangerous those little plastic and metal pellets are. I don't think they know that we have a city ordinance to keep everybody safe. The last time a mayor addressed the problem of kids shooting off "airsoft" and BB guns within city limits was Steve Brown. He was the last mayor to address the issue in a city newsletter. I guess we all just need a reminder now and then. Sadly enough our city was given a very sad and tragic reminder. As terrible as this accident was I bet half of the parents in PTC are thinking to themselves: "this could never happen to us". This COULD happen to any one of us, and we need to learn from this so it doesn't happen again.
Hey the mid shift is great until about 4am then I hit my wall. I eat popcorn and an orange and that gets me through until 5:30 when the breakfast shift gets in.
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 9:23am
#35
skyspy & mids
Munch on some of those chocolate vovered coffee beans avail at The Fresh Mkt!! Only catch is they lv a helluva mess in your teeth!
Thu, 01/26/2012 - 9:32am
#36
Love the Coffee beans
I like the ones from Harry and David they have white and dark chocolate and cinnamon . Tastes good and gives me enough energy to make it through the day.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:34am
#37
It was a tragic accident
Cyclist, how dare you?? "The parents" are mourning the loss of their child in a horrible accident. Your blood can boil all it wants for the tragedy, but do not cast blame. Leave these good people alone. You have no cause -- nor right -- to judge them.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:22am
#38
Editmom & accident
Wouldn't you agree that--if Ben Nelms report is accurate--such a permissive environment added to the possibility of such an accident?
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:45pm
#39
It's not our place to judge. Why is that so difficult for
everyone to understand? Why does every Tom, Dick and Harry feel like they have to weigh in with their condemnation and holier-than-thou attitudes? Don't you think these parents are now second-guessing their every move, their every purchase, their every decision? Let the police do their work; if a crime has occurred, they will deal with it. (And please don't let that statement start another round of "discussion.")
Let the parents grieve without castigating them. This is a tragedy, but do not worsen it for this family. People should stop the blame game and tend to their own environments.
Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:29pm
#40
So true
Let these folks grieve they lost a beautiful young daughter. I can not imagine. Please leave them alone.
Are you disputing the facts as reported by Ben Nelms? They apparently come directly from the investigative report RELEASED by the PTCPD. Reporting on community activity, both good and bad, is what newspapers and their reporters DO for pete's sake! It is NOT disrepect for the family, but normal human nature for readers to consider the reported facts and come to their own conclusions. I suspect most comments came from others who are currently raising children or have in the past--I know I did--mine are now 40 & 38--older-- I suspect--than you! We are all free to form our own opinions, just like you, and state them as we see fit--just like you did. Maybe you need a few laps in the pool!