Uncle charged in death of nephew, 12, shot while hunting

Wake Forest, N.C. — The uncle of a 12-year-old Tarboro boy who was fatally shot during a hunting trip last month has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities said Friday.

Jason Matthews Parker, 30, of Franklinton, was also charged with obtaining a hunting license under false pretense.

Parker was hunting deer Dec. 28 with 12-year-old James Lee Parker, the boy's cousin and the boy's father. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officers initially said the shooting was an accident.

Following an investigation, authorities decided to file the charges. Parker surrendered at the Wake County Detention Center on Thursday evening.

Geoff Cantrell, spokesman for the commission, said Jason Parker had not taken a mandatory free hunting education course.

“Hunting education instructors stress point a firearm in a safe direction at all times. That is rule one,” Cantrell said in a statement.

James Parker was a sixth-grader at Phillips Middle School in Edgecombe County. His family had said he was an avid hunter since age 4.

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Look at it this way. What if every time one of you posters misspelled a word, someone near you was shot? Mistakes are churned out constantly by some folks, I'd rather not go shooting with any of you.

Rebelyell
January 18, 2013 6:18 p.m.

I understand the uncle needs to be charged, However, I don't think prison time should be given. The guilt he has to carry will last a lifetime, no about of prison time will ever make that go away. He shouldn't be allow to have any firearms or hunting licenses again.

Bob3425
January 14, 2013 3:09 p.m.

"How can you obtain a license legally if you have no proof you took the required course and passed it?" - bubbasu1

There is an exemption that you can sign a statement saying that you have previously had a hunting license prior to July 1, 1991. Sounds like he never had one, thus the charge of obtaining a hunting license under false pretense.

"just because yopu own a gun doesn't mean you have a clue what you are doing." - Grand Union

Definitely agree.

"it should have been "broken" whilst walking or have no shot in the chamber and safety on if a pump action" - Grand Union

Unless they were stalk hunting. Someone has already pointed out the problem here, in that he didn't pay attention to the direction his gun was pointing. That's the #1 safety rule, whether you are ready to shoot or not.

Lightfoot3
January 14, 2013 11:48 a.m.

"So we want to put a safety class requirement for all gun owners? What a stupid idea."

why is it a stupid idea?....as this case shows just because yopu own a gun doesn't mean you have a clue what you are doing.

" Do you realize there is an existing requirement for a safety class prior to obtaining a hunting license? This guy was licensed, but had not taken the course. Boy, those bans/requirements really work well, don't they!"

Loose and ineffective regulations mean they are easily avoided and ineffective. Regulations need not be loose nor ineffective.

Grand Union
January 14, 2013 11:00 a.m.

"If you look at the story from other outlets, the uncle tripped with a loaded weapon resulting in an accidental discharge into the nephew who was walking in front of him."

Still no excuse.....if it was a side by side it should have been "broken" whilst walking or have no shot in the chamber and safety on if a pump action. Yes the death of his Nephew is likely punishment enough for him but the lesson needs to be learned by others hence the charges.

Grand Union
January 14, 2013 10:57 a.m.