Dylan Francisco, who was killed in Chicopee, as seen in a Facebook profile photo uploaded June 24, 2016.
Funeral services have been scheduled for a 15-year-old boy who was shot to death by a homeowner Saturday. […] The teenager, whose obituary who gives his full name as Dylan Christopher Waitson-Francisco, attended the Glenwood School in Springfield for elementary school, according to the obituary. Later he attended middle school in Chicopee. He also started working for the Summer Youth Program with the Valley Opportunity Council in July.
He leaves his mother and step-father, Heather Francisco and Steven Beauregard, and three siblings, Damien and Desiree Francisco and Anthony Beauregard.
Sounds like a good kid, who was gunned down for being a teenager doing teenager things. Unfortunately, this has sparked discussion of the so-called Castle doctrine, where some people are actually defending Lovell. Thankfully, there is no Stand Your Ground law in Massachusetts. So, where are all the pro-lifers, screaming in outrage over this child’s death? Where is anyone screaming in outrage over this death? You know we’re beyond fucked when the important conversation is deemed to be one over whether or not castle doctrine applies. I’m sure that’s of great comfort to Dylan’s family and friends.
Here in Massachusetts, there is no stand your ground law.
However, local attorneys said that homeowners have some rights, but they come with standards.
“To obtain the defense of self defense, the homeowner has to show that the intruder had actually entered into the home of the person who fired the shot in self defense. Furthermore, there has to be a threat of imminent serious hard. In other words, if the person has a weapon or threatens a weapon, if a person doesn’t have a weapon, I don’t believe there is a right to use force like a gun,” said Jack McQuade from the Law Offices of Mark E. Solomone.
Jeffrey Lovell.
“Mr. Lovell told this party to ‘get the f–k out’ and ‘stay the f–k out.’ As the … party continued to bang on the door Mr. Lovell stated that the window broke at which time Mr. Lovell raised his loaded S & W (Smith & Wesson) firearm and shot one round through the glass of the door,” the police report states.
The door has three windows lined up vertically. The top window broke when the boy was knocking on it, said James Leydon, spokesman for Gulluni.
“Mr. Lovell stated he aimed towards the … torso. After firing the weapon, Mr. Lovell then looked out of the kitchen door and saw the individual lying on the ground at the bottom of the stairs and the … individual was moaning,” the police report states.
[…]
When police arrived, they found no evidence that the victim entered the home, court records said.
“Mr. Lovell also indicated that the victim never entered his residence,” the police report says.
So, it’s obvious Mr. Lovell was not in any danger whatsoever, let alone imminent danger. I think it’s best to remember that this is the man who festooned his Pinterest page with photos of weapons along with “Can you say ‘pest control?’ Gotta get one. ”
The amount of cultural introspection and action it would take for this country to begin approaching a state of decency is boggling.
No shit. I’m pretty sure we’re completely lost. This isn’t going to change in the life I have left.
The nearest Planned Parenthood?
Thanks for putting a face to this story, and by that I mean Dylan’s.
I hope Lovell gets a taste of justice the way it is meant to be served. Not really hoping for much, though…
hoping for = expecting :P
As an outsider I can’t even comprehend the cognitive dissonance that allows so many conservatives to be pro-gun, pro-life even at the expense of the woman’s life, stand-your-ground and uncaring about those in terrible circumstances all at the same time. It requires a truly twisted set of beliefs and values to square the whole crock of shit away.
Rob @ 6:
Yes, it does. It’s evil, wrapped in barb wire, drenched with poison, and coated with sugar.
I fully expect that Lovell will be pleaded down to involuntary manslaughter, slapped on the wrist, and be allowed to keep his personal armory.
I am amazed that cops allowed those “guard your castle” laws to pass at all, since they seem like they’re designed to encourage someone to shoot at cops.
Marcus @ 8:
Cops want to be able to murder with impunity too. I would have thought cops would be the biggest bloc voice for gun control, but no, most of them are rabid gun fondlers.
@ 8&9
If I were to think of an (albeit pretty dark) rationalisation for the pro-gun position of the police, I might suggest that the ubiquity of guns provides an excuse to shoot anyone, on the basis that anyone has the right to carry a firearm so could reasonably be treated as armed -- but I doubt the reality is a considered position -- more likely pro-gun is part of a wider macho fantasy.
This story makes me so sad. Such a waste. :(
:( :( :( :( :(
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The gun fetishism is bringing out way too much rage in me these days.
A coworker was just murdered in his home monday.
I think I need to take a break from the internet.
CC:
Oh no. No. I am so sorry.