jason
Well-known member
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1128071&srvc=home&position=rated
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Grieving mom recalls ‘angel’ son killed at gun show
The mother of an 8-year-old boy who shot himself to death at a supervised gun expo in Westfield yesterday says she’ll remember her son as an angel.
“He was a beloved, beautiful child. He was an angel,” said Suzanne Bizilj of Ashford, Conn., whose third-grade son, Christopher, died Sunday after firing an Uzi submachine gun at the Westfield Sportman’s Club.
Christopher apparently lost control as he fired the gun, forcing it upwards and back, causing him to shoot himself in the head, said Westfield Police Lt. Hipolito Nunez. Christopher was under the supervision of a certified instructor, as well as his father, Dr. Charles Bizilj, when he was shot.
The annual machine gun show is advertised as a free-for-all for gun enthusiasts, and has created discord among some club members, said longtime club member Bob Greenleaf.
“To let an 8-year-old boy fire an Uzi is the height of stupidity,” said Greenleaf.
Greenleaf, a member of the club for 44 years, was so opposed to the annual machine gun shoot that he resigned from the club’s board of directors four years ago.
An ad for the show posted on the Sportman’s Club Web site boasts: “No age limit or licenses required to shoot machine guns, handguns, rifles or shotguns!!!”
“You will be accompanied to the firing line with a certified instructor to guide you, But You Are In Control - Full Auto Rock And Roll.”
The annual expo is run by a group called C.O.P. Firearms and Training Co., based in Amherst. The head of that group is Pelham Police Chief Ed Fleury, Greenleaf said. Fleury could not be reached.
Pelham Police Lt. Gary Thomann, who answered the phone today at the police station, said his chief would have no comment.
“He’s not talking about it,” Thomann said.
He said Fleury will be out for the remainder of the week.
Nunez said the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives is expected today to aid in the investigation.
No charges have been filed in connection with the death, he said.
“We are still researching the law,” he said.
The Office of Hampden District Attorney William Bennett is also investigating.
The annual show has become extremely popular, Greenleaf said.
An event listing on the club’s Web site reads: “It’s all legal and fun - No permits or licenses required !!!!”
Anyone under 16 was admitted for free. Available targets were to include pumpkins, vehicles and “other fun stuff we can’t print here!!!!!” according to the club’s Web site.
:'(
:'(Grieving mom recalls ‘angel’ son killed at gun show
The mother of an 8-year-old boy who shot himself to death at a supervised gun expo in Westfield yesterday says she’ll remember her son as an angel.
“He was a beloved, beautiful child. He was an angel,” said Suzanne Bizilj of Ashford, Conn., whose third-grade son, Christopher, died Sunday after firing an Uzi submachine gun at the Westfield Sportman’s Club.
Christopher apparently lost control as he fired the gun, forcing it upwards and back, causing him to shoot himself in the head, said Westfield Police Lt. Hipolito Nunez. Christopher was under the supervision of a certified instructor, as well as his father, Dr. Charles Bizilj, when he was shot.
The annual machine gun show is advertised as a free-for-all for gun enthusiasts, and has created discord among some club members, said longtime club member Bob Greenleaf.
“To let an 8-year-old boy fire an Uzi is the height of stupidity,” said Greenleaf.
Greenleaf, a member of the club for 44 years, was so opposed to the annual machine gun shoot that he resigned from the club’s board of directors four years ago.
An ad for the show posted on the Sportman’s Club Web site boasts: “No age limit or licenses required to shoot machine guns, handguns, rifles or shotguns!!!”
“You will be accompanied to the firing line with a certified instructor to guide you, But You Are In Control - Full Auto Rock And Roll.”
The annual expo is run by a group called C.O.P. Firearms and Training Co., based in Amherst. The head of that group is Pelham Police Chief Ed Fleury, Greenleaf said. Fleury could not be reached.
Pelham Police Lt. Gary Thomann, who answered the phone today at the police station, said his chief would have no comment.
“He’s not talking about it,” Thomann said.
He said Fleury will be out for the remainder of the week.
Nunez said the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives is expected today to aid in the investigation.
No charges have been filed in connection with the death, he said.
“We are still researching the law,” he said.
The Office of Hampden District Attorney William Bennett is also investigating.
The annual show has become extremely popular, Greenleaf said.
An event listing on the club’s Web site reads: “It’s all legal and fun - No permits or licenses required !!!!”
Anyone under 16 was admitted for free. Available targets were to include pumpkins, vehicles and “other fun stuff we can’t print here!!!!!” according to the club’s Web site.
