By: Las Vegas Now Staff
The murder of Palo Verde freshman Chris Privett has gripped Las Vegas for more than a week. Police quickly identified the shooter as a fellow student, 16-year-old Gerald Davison.
Eyewitness News has learned that Davison's father, Gerald Davidson, Sr. has been in trouble with the law in the past.
North Las Vegas Police arrested the father last November for shooting into an apartment. The arrest report says it was an accident.
Still, Davison, Sr. was arrested for shooting into a building and drug charges. He also faces two counts of being an ex-felon in possession of guns.
North Las Vegas police confiscated a rifle and .38 Special revolver. Both still sit in evidence.
This incident and the murder of the student point to a growing problem of teens being exposed to guns.
“A lot of the guns we see used in crimes come from residential burglaries. Some of them also come from the residence that the child lives,” said Metro Officer Bill Cassell
Cassell says gun owners must take it upon themselves to lock up their guns in a safe. He says that will cut down on the possible supply hitting the streets.
District Attorney David Roger agrees, saying there are too many teens committing too many crimes with guns.
“Kids who are in high school are supposed to be enjoying these years. They are not supposed to be ducking for cover on their way home from school,” he said.
Roger says when teens commit adult crimes they will be punished as adults. Both Metro and District Attorney David Roger say parents should also give their kids the confidence to walk away from a friend who has a weapon.
Email your comments to Reporter Edward Lawrence
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I TOTALLY AGREE
Comment by FED UP ALREADY — February 21, 2008 @ 11:49 am
So let me see if I have this correct, the father of the kid that shot Chris Privett is a dirt-bag, felon, drug user. Is that correct? This makes it illegal (a Federal crime) to possess a firearm. This dirt-bag, felon drug-using dad is the one who is a bad influence, not the inanimate object/firearm. Millions of kids are “exposed” to firearms, yet they do not go out and shoot people because they felt “dissed” or other such nonsense.
Kids being exposed to dirt-bag parents is the problem. Had this kid, Dirt-bag, Jr., had a decent human being as a father, then perhaps he wouldn’t be a murdering dirt-bag. And perhaps Chris Privett’s mother wouldn’t have to burry her son.
Comment by Robert — February 21, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Comment by Robert — February 21, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
So let me see if I have this correct, the father of the kid that shot Chris Privett is a dirt-bag, felon, drug user. Is that correct? This makes it illegal (a Federal crime) to possess a firearm. This dirt-bag, felon drug-using dad is the one who is a bad influence, not the inanimate object/firearm.
This so-called “father” should already be in prison for shooting into an occupied buliding period! His murdering son should soon be on death-row awaiting a speedy execution.
You can’t make this stuff up. Crime families literally getting away with murder. Let all remember these crimes have a devastating impact, the next time we are called for jury service.
Comment by Jeff — February 21, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Yes sir, the liberal courts in this country are to blame for the death of this young lad. The gun mans father should have been behind bars and this now murder might of had a chance to become productive in society. Furthermore i strogly feel that he should be put to death and this should happen before the end of this year. Perhaps they should even charge the father for this crime as well, lets juice him as well to prevent any other dispicable acts to come from this lame excuse of a man.
Comment by George — February 26, 2008 @ 4:24 pm