Audio By Carbonatix
A 9-year-old boy in Bremerton, Wash. wrote a letter apologizing to a classmate who was seriously wounded after a gun discharged from his backpack, lodging a bullet in her spine.
The handwritten letter, which was written as part of a court ordered mandate, was addressed to Amina Bowman, 8, who was released from the hospital on Tuesday. The boy’s name has not been made public.
"I'm sorry I hurt you because I brought a gun to school. I did not mean for any one to get hurt," the boy wrote. "I wish everyone was okay. I made a bad choice."
The letter was written as a requirement of the boy’s sentencing when he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges stemming from the shooting, which police say was an accident. The Seattle Times reports the letter was written as the boy went through counseling, another sentencing requirement the boy must go through.
Six weeks after being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center, small milestones mark Amina's recovery.
A taste of soup, those first steps, and a brownie milk shake after being discharged from the hospital are all progress that her mother posts on her Facebook page.
"What a great day!!!" Teri Bowman wrote under a picture of her smiling daughter before she came home from the hospital.
On Feb. 22. Amina was shot during class at Armin Jahr Elementary School in Bremerton.
"I made a bad choice. I was sad, scared and afraid and I did not solve my problem well," the boy told her in his letter. "I will stay away from guns."
The school was put into immediate lockdown after the incident.
MaryLou Tucker, a parent of a student at the school, said the teacher in Amina's classroom did everything she could. "She had the kids sit, get underneath their desks and then made sure that the kids were accounted for," Tucker said.
The boy's prosecution will be deferred. His mother, Jamie Lee Chaffin, and her boyfriend, Douglas L. Bauer, pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to ABC affiliate KOMO.
Amina's parents said she'll likely return to school in the fall.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Colombia’s Vice President visits Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
6 minutes -
DVLA’s new number plates; some observations…
12 minutes -
Twellium named Ultimate Best Manufacturing Company of the Year at Ghana Beverage Awards 2025
20 minutes -
Chief Justice orders immediate closure of Kwame Danso District Court after violent attacks
29 minutes -
Russia hits back at Europe’s big plan to loan Moscow’s frozen cash to Ukraine
31 minutes -
US FDA intends to put its most serious warning on Covid-19 vaccines, sources say
31 minutes -
Diana Hamilton feeds over 450 school children at Bukom Park
32 minutes -
We’ll reconsider our decision following President Mahama’s request – Mahama Ayariga on anti-OSP bill
36 minutes -
Woodin, Cacao unveil sustainable ready-to-wear collection targeting Africa’s next-gen fashion consumers
50 minutes -
Ghanaian journalist wins Prestigious Africa Science Journalism Award
1 hour -
Ghanaian businesses urged to engage transaction advisors to spur growth and investment
1 hour -
EPA cautions against entry into abandoned mine sites
2 hours -
Court clears way for Daddy Lumba’s funeral on Saturday after applicants fail to meet GH¢2m payment deadline
2 hours -
Cassona reaffirms long-term commitment to transforming healthcare infrastructure across ECOWAS
2 hours -
Diana Hamilton clears medical bills for new mothers at Mamobi Hospital
2 hours
