A handout photo provided by the New York Police Department January 18, 2013 shows a .22 caliber handgun, an ammunition clip and a flare gun that was found in the backpack of a 7-year old boy at a elementary school in New York Thursday.
A handout photo provided by the New York Police Department January 18, 2013 shows a .22 caliber handgun, an ammunition clip and a flare gun that was found in the backpack of a 7-year old boy at a elementary school in New York Thursday. REUTERS/NYPD/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW)

The recent spate of incidents of involving kids who accidentally shoot family members while toying with a gun is quite understandable since the young children couldn’t distinguish between a play thing and a real weapon.

However, when it is adults involved, the misuse of firearms is unforgivable, or at the very least, criminal.

One such case is that of Lothar Shcafer of Poinciana, Florida, who bought a .45 High Point carbine with 100 ammunition rounds for 15-year-old son Konrad from the Mega Gun and Armory shop in Kissimme on June 25, 2010. His reason for the purchase was to provide Konrad a weapon for self-protection, according to Daily Mail.

But it turned out, it was people who needed protection against Konrad who, on the same day, stole the family car, took the carbine and went on a two-week joyride and killing spree with three friends in Osceola County.

Konrad became trigger-happy and aimed at anything he saw, from people lounging on their porches to bedroom windows with kids inside and cars. Had he not been arrested, Konrad was planning to shoot cops for the heck of it, reports Addictinginfo.org.

During the shooting spree, Konrad killed two people – 22-year-old Eric Roopnarine and 17-year-old David Guerrero. Konrad shot Guerrero who was waiting at a bus stop on June 26, and killed Roopnarine in the University of Central Florida student’s house on July 3.

Konrad’s trial is schedule in April. Shcafer, who purchased the gun, not thinking his son would use it wrongly, entered into a plea deal with the circuit court judge who agreed to place on hold adjudication if he serves out the probation and has no further breaches, allowing the father to escape conviction.

When Schafer learned of Konrad’s misuse, he confiscated the weapon, but the teenager still stole and used it for killing people.

Konrad is being tried as an adult despite being a minor. He and his three friends are charged with first-degree murder.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au

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