14-year-old after shooting friend in the head: six years in juvenile detention!

14-year-old after shooting friend in the head: six years in juvenile detention!

A tragic incident recently caused a stir in the small community of Dietingen-Irslingen in the Rottweil district. On December 15, 2024, a 14-year-old shot his twelve-year-old friend from close range with a rigged blank gun, leaving him blind. Today the teenager was convicted of attempted murder by the Rottweil regional court and must spend six years in juvenile detention Mopo reported. The verdict is not yet final because the case was handled in camera, which is due to the age of the defendant.

At the court hearing, the youth chamber identified a mixture of anger, hurt and a sinister fascination with weapons as influencing factors. No concrete motive for the crime could be found. However, it is clear that the defendant, although he did not intentionally cause his friend's death, put his friend's life in danger and thus showed conditional intent to kill. The two boys had previously been relaxing and playing on the bed when the fatal decision was made.

The consequences for the victim

The victim survived the attack but has suffered lasting and devastating effects from his injuries ever since. The shot in the head left not only physical damage, but also psychological scars that will shape the boy's entire life. In an impressive move, the injured party appeared as a co-plaintiff in the proceedings, a sign of courageous rebellion against the injustice suffered.

The circumstances that led to the incident highlight the challenges many young people face. The question arises to what extent the influence of computer games and the parents' use of weapons have contributed to avoidable misfortune. Investigations are ongoing against the teenager's parents for weapons law violations and negligent bodily harm, such as daily news reported.

A look at juvenile crime

This incident is not an isolated case. Youth crime is an issue that urgently needs to be brought into the focus of our society. Statistics show that a significant proportion of young people become delinquents, and although violent crimes are rare, they should still be taken seriously. According to a study, 43.7% of male and 23.6% of female students reported crime in 2007/2008, indicating a widespread problem. It is also known that most young people only commit crimes sporadically and are not considered hardened criminals, as the Federal Agency for Civic Education states ( bpb ).

At a time when violence and aggression among adolescents are increasing, families and institutions have a duty to act preventively. The key to reducing such violent situations could lie in better integration and social support for young people in order to offer them orientation and perspectives.