If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
WEATHERFORD, TEXAS: The Emma Brown case has reignited the ongoing argument between those who support and oppose guns. The 12-year-old girl, in a ‘murder pact’ with a friend, shot her father Daniel, and then killed herself. In the investigation, officers found that the incident which took place on September 20, 2022, was pre-planned. Parker County District Attorney’s office said that she had planned on killing her entire family and pets with an unidentified 12-year-old girl from Lufkin, Texas.
“The charge was not dismissed. The allegations were fully prosecuted with a final disposition of the case occurring on March 14, 2023,” said a spokesperson since the Texas state law protects the identity of juveniles charged with a crime. A source close to the family said, “It's an awful tragedy. Her parents didn't know anything about the other girl, they still don't.” Emma succumbed to her injury two days later in a hospital. Her father, Daniel, survived the attack and was released from the hospital after making a full recovery according to the authorities.
A spokesman for Parker County Sheriff's Office previously said, “The 12-year-old female juvenile involved in the shooting incident in northwestern Parker County on Sept. 20, 2022, succumbed to her injuries on Sept. 22, at a local hospital.” It added, “The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy and ruled the cause and manner of death as a suicide by gunshot wound of the head. Her father, who was the victim of a gunshot wound to the abdomen was recently released from the hospital and is expected to recover.”
Social media was flooded with comments and opinions as the pro-gun and anti-gun supporters attacked each other. One user highlighted the shocking stats, “Pew Research -Homicide was the largest single category of gun deaths among children and teens in 2021, accounting for 60% of the total that year. It was followed by suicide at 32% and accidents at 5%.” The second user also was against the easy access to guns in the country, "It's a fact that homes with guns have much higher rates of homicide and suicide. This is a tragedy. This baby was obviously distraught, and this man will live with second-guessing himself for the rest of his life. Please when it comes to kids and guns be very careful." Another user wrote, "Children don't need access to guns. I grew up with guns. I never understood why my father needed so many guns. I don't have gun as an adult and don't feel the need for one. Guns are not toys."
One user pointed out that maybe it was not the gun, but the child may have been a victim of abuse, "I can’t help but wonder if she and her friend had been being abused? It’s so unusual to see a little girl do this. Maybe I’m just old…" While another user also suggested a similar angle, "The story keeps changing. The first story said she was changing for bed in her bedroom when she shot him. Why was he in there? Was it self-defense? Then she ran away and shot herself in the driveway.
