7-Year-Old Boy Faces Felony Charges For Shooting BB Gun

A seven-year-old North Carolina boy is facing felony charges after shooting his BB gun at passing cars while playing in his yard. The boy’s parents have expressed anger and dismay at the decision to prosecute the youngster, who they feel is too young to understand the charges pending against him.

Despite his tender age, Sam Grant is expected to be charged this week with two felony counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. If he’s found guilty, the child could be sentenced to a year of probation and be required to complete hundreds of hours of community service.

According to Sam’s parents, the incident occurred in February. The seven-year-old was playing with his BB gun in their yard, taking shots at an abandoned house located across the road.

Cherry Robbins, the boy’s mother, reportedly turned her back for a moment. In the interim, Sam changed targets, shooting the BB gun at two vehicles that were passing by the family’s home.

Although no one was harmed during the incident, the seven-year old’s mother immediately notified the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department of the situation.

According to Cherry Robbins, the responding officer and vehicle owners indicated that no charges would be filed regarding the BB gun incident.

“The officer told me he did not want to charge my son, the lady told me she did not want him charged,” explained Sam’s mother.

“The next thing I know, I am getting a letter from the DPS saying he has been charged with two felonies,” she continued. Sam’s parents remain stunned with disbelief that a seven-year-old child would face felony charges for something as innocent as shooting a BB gun.

“We are both just shocked. We have been in a state of shock over this,” explained Sam’s father, Ray Robbins. “They considered his BB gun a firearm. It’s not a firearm — it’s a BB gun.”

The seven-year-old and his parents are now preparing for Sam’s first court appearance on Friday. While they’ve been informed that the youngster is expected to be formally charged with the two felony counts that day, Sam’s parents are hoping that the court will concede to dropping the case against their son.

If the seven-year-old is found guilty of felony charges relating to shooting his BB gun at passing cars, the conviction could reportedly remain on his record until he reaches the age of 16.

Do you think Sam should face felony charges for his actions?

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