12-year-old killed in Halloween shooting

[Milk2Go]

This news article Wrote:SUMTER, S.C. (Nov. 1) - An ex-convict who thought he was being robbed gunned down a 12-year-old trick-or-treater, spraying nearly 30 rounds with an assault rifle from inside his home after hearing a knock on the door, police said Saturday.

Quentin Patrick, 22, is accused of killing 12-year-old T.J. Darrisaw on Friday night. T.J.'s 9-year-old brother, Ahmadre Darrisaw, and their father, Freddie Grinnell, were injured but were released after being treated at a hospital.

The family attended a Halloween celebration in downtown Sumter, 45 miles east of Columbia, then stopped at Patrick's house because the porch light was on, police said. Another sibling was with them, but wasn't hurt.

Police said at least two of the boys were wearing ghoulish masks when they knocked on the door. The boys' mother and a toddler stayed in the car nearby.

Patrick emptied his AK-47, shooting at least 29 times through his front door, walls and windows after hearing the knock, Police Chief Patty Patterson said.

He told police he had been robbed and shot in the past year.

"He wasn't going to be robbed again, and he wasn't going to be shot again," Patterson said Saturday at a news conference.

She said T.J., a bright young man, suffered multiple wounds, including a fatal shot to his head. No one answered the door at the family's home Saturday.

"This is by far one of the worst tragedies that I have had to personally experience," Patterson said. "It happened basically because kids were out doing what they would normally do on Halloween."

Patrick has been charged with murder, three counts of assault and battery with intent to kill, and one count of assault with intent to kill.

Police said they also charged a 19-year-old in his home, Ericka Patrice Pee, with obstruction of justice when she was caught trying to run away after the shooting with $7,500 in cash. Patterson did not give an explanation for the money.

Pee's 2-year-old daughter was inside during the shooting and is now being cared for by family members.

Patterson said Patrick had multiple drug convictions but police do not believe he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the shooting. Authorities did not know if Patrick or Pee had attorneys. Both are being held without bond.

A man who identified himself as Patrick's brother but declined to give his name said in a call to The Associated Press that he believed Patrick was suffering from post-traumatic stress after a break-in last December. The man's account matched the information police provided.

"We want to let his family know that this is a total tragic accident," he said. "He was trying to protect his family."

Patrick's home is off a busy, two-lane road in Sumter, a city of about 40,000 people. On Saturday, shattered glass still covered the front stoop and about 20 bullet holes peppered the front door and a front-window casement. A firefighter used a hose to wash bloodstains away.

The shooting shocked residents of a neighborhood where most people know each other well.

"I just hate it that that little kid got killed. It used to be the quietest place. I knew everybody and everybody knew me," said Vivian Johnson, 81, who lives two doors from Patrick and Pee but said she did not know them.
County Councilman Charles Edens said he lives just a few blocks away and passed the crime scene on his way back from trick-or-treating with his 13-year-old daughter, who was upset by the news.

"It's going to put a dampening on Halloween," Eden said. "I would think twice about going to a door that we don't know who lives behind."

The legal system isn't dealing with a murderer or some psychotic homocidal guy. The legal system is dealing with a total dumbass who shouldn't be allowed in public. Let me get this straight: it's Halloween. A 12-year-old is at your front door wearing a costume. You see tons of trick-or-treaters in the distance behind him. What do you do? You kill the kid because you fear he's going to fucking rob you? How do you even fucking know how to breathe, let alone operate an assault rifle?

I hope this guy gets the death penalty. Nobody this stupid should be allowed the right to live.

[John Tuttle]

I totally agree that this person is a waste of carbon.

[6moredetentions]

sucks 4 the stupid kid....thats y u shud just take other ppls candy...

[monkey]

ugghh just another reason to crack down on trick or treating,

"I would think twice about going to a door that we don't know who lives behind."

[Rebelnerd]

jesus, what a fucking nutcase. guys like him are the reason people think gun owners are insane. frankly, no matter what side of the political fence you're on, i think we can all agree that he should not have been able to buy and keep an AK with an obvious mental problem like that.

[Thought Criminal]

fail man fails. god what an idiot. im surprised he hasn't killed himself trying to fly off a sky scraper yet. and where the FUCK did this mentally unstable dumbfuck get an AK? jesus christ this just makes me sick!!