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14-year Old Boy Shot to Death for Egging SUV

Three teenage boys in Columbus, Ohio were being stupid, destructive kids: they were spending an afternoon of fun throwing eggs at passing cars.

Their prank turned deadly though when the driver of an egged-SUV took matters into their own hands:

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 14-year-old boy who was throwing eggs at cars along with two other teenagers was shot and killed by someone who had been in a sport utility vehicle that was hit, police said.

Danny Crawford was killed by a gunshot wound to his upper body, Franklin County Coroner Brad Lewis said. He died in an alley on the city’s west side early Saturday, authorities said.

The teens were throwing eggs at cars when an SUV that was struck chased them, Detective Tim Huston said. The vehicle stopped and several gunshots were fired, he said.

Did this boy deserve to die for throwing eggs at the SUV? No, he did not. Is it utlimately his own damned fault? Yes, it is.

_________

Death penalty opponents like to claim that the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime. While this is not a case of a state-sanctioned and legal death penalty, the young boy in question did in fact receive a death penalty for his minor crime of vandalism.

How much scratch do you want to bet that his two accompli never throw another egg at another car the rest of their lives?

_________

UPDATE (12/17/06) —  According to the two other boys who were with Danny when he was shot, Danny was not the one who threw the egg. If this is the case, and if Danny was not participating at all in throwing eggs that day (not just at the SUV who ended his life, but at any car that day), than I recind my earlier comment that it was “ultimately” his fault.

And to reiterate, Danny did not deserve to die, and I hope his killers are quickly caught, tried, and sentenced to death for their crimes. But, because they were out engaging in criminal behavior, the boys are responsible and at fault for their own actions.

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Sunday, December 3rd, 2006 | Trackback |

41 Responses to “14-year Old Boy Shot to Death for Egging SUV”

teenage boys in Columbus, Ohio were being stupid, destructive kids: they were spending an afternoon of fun throwing eggs at passing cars. Their prank turned deadly though when the driver of an egged-SUV didn’t think too matters … Original post by Robbie

Left by Cars Blog on December 3rd, 2006 at 2:35 pm

It’s his own damned fault he was killed for throwing eggs? Holy cow, you really have a screwed up world view. I think the fault goes to the person who pulled the trigger. It’s not reasonable to kill someone for egging your car, nor should that be the expected reaction.

Left by Dan on December 3rd, 2006 at 6:23 pm

There was a car speeding on my street today, I shot the driver. Did this boy deserve to die for speeding? No, he did not. Is it ultimately his own damned fault? Yes, it is.

How much scratch do you want to bet that his two accompli never drive above the speed limit for rest of their lives?

Left by Preston on December 3rd, 2006 at 7:29 pm

Preston - I think you’re being too subtle. I think Robbie would blame the speeder. I know it sounds crazy.

Left by Dan on December 3rd, 2006 at 8:15 pm

Hell, those two boys will never be able to enjoy an omelet or a slice of cake, knowing what the main ingredient is.

Left by The Holywriter on December 3rd, 2006 at 10:27 pm

I have said it once I will say it again respect each others property.

Left by GOD on December 3rd, 2006 at 10:50 pm

Or somebody will kill you and the unhinged will think it’s your own fault.

Left by Dan on December 3rd, 2006 at 11:00 pm

Damn Robbie that is a stretch. Those accompli might well go on to bigger and better crimes inspite of the fact thier friend was killed in the act of so minor a crime.

Left by Lance on December 4th, 2006 at 1:37 am

Dan, you ignorant slut.

It IS the kid’s fault! How so? If he wasn’t out throwing eggs, he wouldn’t have been killed.

What if he was home playing with his Wii? Alive.
Shopping at a mall for Christmas? Alive.
Walking down the street, behaving himself? Alive.

His actions led to his death. Was the guy who shot him dead wrong in doing so? Hell, yeah. But, in the end, it was reaction to action. Remove the action and you have no reaction.

Left by dan's a dope on December 4th, 2006 at 7:50 am

I hope they catch the thugs who killed that boy. And when the do, I hope it’s a speedy trial, and I hope he gets the death penalty for his crimes.

The shooter is solely responsible for his own actions. But the boys were not without fault.

Why do I say “is it ultimately his own damn fault”? Because, if you commit an act that results in a reaction that would not have otherwise occured had you not commited your initial act…then the resultant act is your fault. It may not be what you deserved (as in this case), but it is still your fault.

Left by Robbie on December 4th, 2006 at 9:24 am

It’s not just an action that creates a reaction. It was an illegal action not resulted in a greater illegal reaction.

Left by Anonymous on December 4th, 2006 at 10:26 am

It’s not just an action that creates a reaction. It was an illegal action not resulted in a greater illegal reaction.

Yeah, this is the attitude that sets the stage for generations of revenge killings in Pakistan in the Middle East.

Back here in the place we used to call the Civilized World we allow the police and the government decide how a crime is to be punished.

Or will you similarly tolerate my vigilante justice for the crimes of my choosing: death for tax cheats; torture for embezzlement; run a guy off the road for dangerous passing?

Left by Preston on December 4th, 2006 at 1:45 pm

This should have read: It’s not just an action that creates a reaction. It was an illegal action that resulted in a greater illegal reaction.

And Preston, fuck off. It was already said several times that the person who shot the kid should be arrested and charged with the death penalty. When he’s on deathrow, you can whine about him.

Left by Anonymous on December 4th, 2006 at 2:11 pm

Preston, I’d like to see torture for the jerkwad who trips me into my morning ritual of road rage. I’m liking your way of thinking there…

And let’s not limit it to only the jerkwads… my son deserves his fair share of torture for not eating the second batch of french toast he so adorably requested this morning. Little snot.

Left by kw on December 4th, 2006 at 2:30 pm

:)

Left by Preston on December 4th, 2006 at 3:02 pm

This is a nonproductive debate.

Left by dianne on December 4th, 2006 at 4:08 pm

So, is it okay if we shoot Robbie for starting it?

Left by Dan on December 4th, 2006 at 4:27 pm

Haha.

Uh, I mean: No shooting, please.

Left by Preston on December 4th, 2006 at 5:18 pm

Probably a bunch of damn gang members out making their daily rounds of crack and meth dealing. It would be a matter of pride to such as them to not let such an action go unpunished. So, they shot them, not out of a sense of self-defense, but for the, to them, equally odious act of disrespecting them.

Now that I have probably accurrately identified the shooters, doubtless Dan will see them in a new, more positive light, maybe Preston as well.

For my part, I don’t care. Had he not been shot, he would likely have gone unreprimanded, and eventually have gone on to throwing rocks, to shooting, hijacking, robbing, drug dealing, and possibly murder.

What happenned here was not something to be applauded. On the other hand, in reality it amounted to nothing more than thinning out the herd.

Left by Patrick Kelley on December 4th, 2006 at 5:31 pm

Patrick Kelley made a ridiculous comment. We get to shoot him now - it’s his own fault.

The “herd” won’t miss him.

Left by Dan on December 4th, 2006 at 9:02 pm

Ah, but you don’t know where I live, Dan. Good thing for me, too. Not because I have the slightest worry you would shoot me, so much as subject me to months of torture in the form of “anger management therapy” and “sensitivity training”.

Left by Patrick Kelley on December 4th, 2006 at 11:33 pm

Don’t worry, Patrick. I only shoot clay pigeons.

Also, I don’t think you need anger management therapy or sensitivity training. You strike me as one of those guys who says obnoxious stuff to get a little attention. Too bad you’re not as good at it as Limbaugh or Coulter, you might make money at it.

Left by Dan on December 4th, 2006 at 11:40 pm

So far, no reactions from you or anyone else on my assessment as to the probable identities of the shooters. Only accussations that I am trying to get attention. Oh well, at least you didn’t accuse me of being racist for guessing they were probably drug dealers, as I am sure you would have assummed I meant they were black.

Now, come to find out, you actually have a skeet gun? Damn, Dan, what’s next-goose hunting with John Kerry?

Oh well, as long as you don’t take up troll hunting, I guess I’m safe.

Left by Patrick Kelley on December 5th, 2006 at 12:11 am

What’s next? Certainly not quail hunting with Cheney!

Left by Dan on December 5th, 2006 at 11:06 am

Better quail hunting with Cheney, then taking a late night drive with Ted.

Left by Anonymous on December 5th, 2006 at 2:27 pm

How did we get from shooting a little kid who did not know any better to shooting Quail? you guys obviousely miss the point and are now arguing with each other. if we really think that it is ok to shoot a kid over a stupid incident, then what kind of culture do we live in? stop the car, get the kid’s parents and ground that little bastard.

Left by chris on December 5th, 2006 at 4:25 pm

I hope they get the guy that killed the kid. Shooting is not a proper response to egging. If it were would have probably been killed in the mid ’60s. My buddies and I did some truly outstanding eggings in those days. Had we been caught I’m sure we would have been punished like the vandals that we were. By the way none of us went into a life of crime, most of that group would now be described as “Pillars of the Community”.

Funny thing: My house was well egged by a group that seemed to know their business a while back. I have a feeling they hit the wrong house. When we saw it I started to the garage to get a hose and pressure washer. My wife stopped me to ask weren’t we going to call the sheriff’s office about it. I told her I had to pretty much chalk this one up to karma. As they say “what goes around comes around”, sometimes it just takes a while!

Left by Dave_D on December 6th, 2006 at 1:11 pm

Are you kidding me?! You people suck! Our son did not throw an egg, this has been confirmed! He did not throw an egg! You tell me what kids didn’t do crazy stuff, and what happened, you got beat up maybe, nobody deserves to be shot and killed for this, especially not an innocent child, and that’s what our son was. This was not ultimately his own fault, it was the gunmans! You people are ignorant!

Left by mom on December 11th, 2006 at 10:30 am

You run your car through the carwash and it’s like the whole thing never happened.
If it bothered the driver that much, he should have called the police.

Left by Steve on December 14th, 2006 at 3:28 am

How dare you people sit back and judge a child you did not know. I gave birth to him. He would have been reprimanded had he actually done the deed however in this day and time people take actions into there own hands. My son was a shy, playful, wonderfully loved 14 yr old CHILD. No he shouldnt have been out, however the father of the child he was spending the night with is to blame for that. No teenager has the common sense of most adults and it is still our job to make sure they learn proper decision making skills.

It is people like you on this website that allow this crap to continue. Specifically Patricia Kelley-you make me sick…..thinning out the herd? He was a child who went thru 7 1/2 yrs of school without meeting the principal except to recieve awards for work he did. You are one of the people who should not be allowed to breed with that attitude. How about someone thin out your herd and see how you deal with it!See if your sttitude is still the same.

Left by Kelly Crawford (Mother) on December 17th, 2006 at 9:35 pm

Hey, “Kelly Crawford (Mother)”, seems to me you have a lot of misplaced anger here. Hey, I have a thought for you. Instead of judging me, who reacted to the story as told and assummed it was correct, why don’t you have anything to say about the “people” who assummed they had the right to kill “your” child for egging their car?

Me, I stand by what I say. Exhibit all the selective outrage you want, I said it was wrong for them to kill the kid, I said they were probably neighborhood crack, or other, drug dealers, and they should be prosecuted. Well, looking back, I said it wasn’t something to be applauded. To spell it out for you, since that would seem to be necessary, that means I think the perpetrators should be prosecuted, and hopefully receive the death penalty when and if convicted.

But I’ve had enough experience with these kinds of kids, and adults, to know it doesn’t take too much of a leap to graduate from disrespecting somebody’s property, to destroying it, to stealing it, to ultimately asaulting and maybe committing murder. I’ve been in all kinds of neighborhods, and criminal behavior usually in most cases can be traced to those young and formative, and “innocent” years.

You would be well advised to look in the mirror if you got a bitch-”mom”.

Left by Patrick Kelley on December 19th, 2006 at 3:50 pm

Well advised to look in the mirror? I raised a 14 year old boy alone. I NEVER would have let him out that time of night.

My anger is directed at the killer. But i have seen so many articles where people think this is ok. That this man was justified in what he does.

Thinning out the herd is just about the most callous cruel and cold thing i think i have heard yet. He was not one of the herd, and before you judge a child or myself maybe you should put yourself in our shoes, amybe you should consider how your mother or father or siblings would feel before you make comments.No one who hasnt had this happen can even begin to imagine the devestation this causes to everyone.

Maybe a mile in DJ’s families shoes would do you some good.

Left by Kelly Crawford on December 20th, 2006 at 8:36 pm

Dear Kelly,

I just want to pass on my deepest sadness for you loss. What happened to your son was just terrible & so wrong, no matter what he was involved in, or not involved in, at the time. For someone to carry a gun with the intention of using to kill another is just evil. I live in the UK, where gun crime is on the increase but still not as bad as over there in the US. I’m not sure what the situation is, but I really hope you manage to get some kind of justice & your sons murderer is brought to justice.

This holiday season will be so hard for you, but I hope that in some way you manage to find peace.

My thought’s are with you,

Sharon (Derby, UK)

Left by SHARON on December 23rd, 2006 at 9:58 pm

I knew of Danny. I met him once. He was a good kid. All kids do stupid things. I also know the kid who did throw the egg. Sad thing is, he don’t seem to care that his actions took another kids life.

I’m a 17 year old young man, myself. When I was an immature 14 year old, I threw eggs, and put bologna on the peoples car. I smoked weed, I did alot. Danny did not deserve to die. And any of you sumbitches that thinks he did e-mail me under-the-lotus@sbcglobal.net and see if you want to say something.

Left by Rick on February 18th, 2007 at 1:41 am

I hope you never have to find a child dead in your back yard.That was the worst day of my life. Lots of children do stupid things and if you think egg on your car justifies murdering a child you need help and for the loved ones Danny was not alone when he passed. Thank you , Rick Phillips

Left by rick on September 10th, 2007 at 11:17 pm

The night I found Danny in my back yard will probably be burned in my memory forever. I did not know him but I know he didn’t deserve to be executed. For the Mother I want you to know that he was not alone when he died. I talked to him and told him to go easy. I don’t know if he could here me but I feel he was still there. I am very sorry for your loss.

Thank you, Rick Phillips, Columbus,Oh

Left by rick phillips on September 11th, 2007 at 12:07 am

I just heard about DJ. I am so very sorry for you Kelly and the whole family. I knew DJ when his dad and step-mom lived in Maine. When I heard I could not believe it. I actually goggled it and this site came up. I cannot understand the down right mean comments people are leaving. I knew DJ he was a great kid. I also know he came from a home where the parents cared about what he was doing. I keep thinking about the tree house DJ and his dad built together. I am sure you all have wonderful memories of him. Remember the special time you had with him. I hope they catch this evil person.

Left by JoAnn on October 1st, 2007 at 3:28 pm

how the fuck do u firgure it was his falut im a personally friend of danny and i kno for a fact that it wasn’t his fault and that he would never do anythin like that and don’t say anythin about him cuz u don’t know him like i do so keep u comments to ur self and don’t ever say that he desevered to die cuz he did and thats my bestfriend and i kno wat happened cuz one of the boyz that were wit him called me right after it crying on the phone with me!!!!!!!! so keep ur comments to ur self since u don’t even know him

Christina
P.S
RIP Danny we luv
and miss u alot

Left by christina on December 3rd, 2007 at 11:16 pm

for all the people that think that someone should die for a small crime they are wrong he was just a boy at the wrong place at the wrong time and something all little as egging a car doesn’t give any one the right to take someones life that is gods job and for two if you think it is right then you are stupid let me ask you a question if that was your friend or your family even one of your children would you be saying that i don’t know him but i respect him because he gave up he’s life for something he didn’t think was going to end the way it did. he was young and had dreams like every body else. can you really say that he should die you are dumb and you have serious problems in your head if you think that go to netcare because no one desived to die for something like that.

Left by melinda on December 3rd, 2007 at 11:24 pm

umm i jus wanted to say i knew danny ,we went to westmoor together he was a good frand and ppl loved him alot and i am myslef an teenager im 15 ….and yea i can say i have threw eggs at cars ,to many to count really but im pretty sure everyone has in there days and its not like ur hurtin the car its just a joke ..and you can wash it right off im mean how could someone do that its not worth killing over …i hope the person that did it suffers 100 times worse ….if anyone has any comments message me babygurl_gotta_luv_me@yahoo.com

WE LUV AND MISS YOU DANNY
P.S RIP WE KNO YOUR WATCHIN OVER US
ASHLEY SLONE

[Editor --- Your teachers should be fired and your parents given a refund for whatever your education has cost them. Seriously.]

Left by ashley slone on March 20th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

Im srry for your lose as well as everyone else is. I knew danny though n i also know the boys who actually threw the eggs n for a boy who didnt do anything two get shot is unspeakable. Eceryone misses him so very much up to this day n you can ask any teacher at Westmoor how good of a kid he was. We still have teachers at Westmoor who brings him up n talks about him n still its unbelievable. But he was n still is a loved person but why was he the one who had to be gone after? He just moved up here n was up here for a little while n had to end his life at the age of 14 over a damn egg! If you go on Valleyview to the Hilltop Ymca you will see a tree planted by the parking lot with a little flower garden around it n you will find some flowers there to, that tree n garden n flowers was bought n planted especially for him that way we could alwayz have in our hearts n so he could have us in his memories! But if you think about it hes in a better safer place now n dont have 2 live in this world even though i do wish he was still here! People come n go though when its there time! Maybe it was just him time n jesus needed him! I just hope the best for you n your family! I will pray for all of you as much as i can! Best wishes to you guys! Good Nite!

Left by Megan on May 18th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

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