Teen Charged in Animal Attacks at Frying Pan Park

Latka June 25, 2012 at 04:37 pm

I don't accept it but I'm not blind to the science and medical literature either. There is often frontal lobe anomaly or damage associated with this kind of behavior.

Dave Kirby June 25, 2012 at 04:44 pm

The acts committed on those animals were gruesome and inhumane; those responsible and found guilty should be appropriately punished. However, I see this kid has been tried, convicted, and now many are debating what the punishment should be. There is no indication he pleaded guilty so what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? "Based on a tip" certainly doesn't convince me this kid is guilty; maybe the tipster is the guilty one. It may be difficult for this kid to get a fair trial in our area.

Laurie Dodd June 25, 2012 at 04:53 pm

Erin, I agree.

Laurie Dodd June 25, 2012 at 05:00 pm

I agree that those who have weighed in demanding harsh punishment are reacting without knowing enough about the specifics of this case. Let the boy get a fair trial, and if punishment is needed, let it be appropriate and compassionate.

Skip Endale June 25, 2012 at 06:46 pm

I appreciate your insights. Thank you

Jerold D. McPhee June 25, 2012 at 06:47 pm

I agree with most if not all the posts pro and con. Nevertheless, I am both angry and disgusted with the unprovoked and premeditated criminal behavior of this "17-year-old Herndon-area boy." I am at a loss to understand, let alone explain, this type of behavior. As for the victims, certainly the maimed animals are victims; but in a larger sense humanity has also been victimized by this. We as human beings are better than this sort of behavior. As such we have all been victimized by this cowardly and clearly disturbed 17 year old.

Bob Bruhns June 25, 2012 at 07:51 pm

We hate the crime, so we would lash out at the accused. It is good that people are discussing this, because we need to deal with crimes better. First of all, we need to be careful about deciding guilt or innocence, then we need to respond properly to guilt when it is decided. If the person who did this is somebody who will now get needed help, then so be it. Or if the person who did this is someone who is beyond help, and just needs to be locked away, then so be it. It will take careful consideration to find the right course of action.

lew azzinaro June 25, 2012 at 08:14 pm

so this^,..this guy is very mentally ill,..and when the full story comes out,...watch it be revealed, that he was either subjected to similiar behavoir as a kid,..and or, was planning to "escalate" this behavior to humans,...think of the "buttock slasher" incidents earlier last year,...comes from the same twisted psychology,...hopefully they can either help this guy,..or put him away where he won't do this to animals,..OR PEOPLE! ..ever again!

lew azzinaro June 25, 2012 at 08:19 pm

totally agree with skip...this probably didn't happen in a vacuum,...abuse at home,...or some such,..will be found,..when the digging for reasons starts,...these folks always have deep issues as to why they would do something this sick,...not an excuse, of course,...they should still be punished to the full extent of the law,..but there's ALWAYS extenuating circumstances in cases like this!

Scott June 25, 2012 at 10:34 pm

Very well said Bob!! I have no idea who or what this person is all about, but like Reston Zoo more information will be forthcoming!! Anything to do with harming animals make me sick, my gut says he is a punk! However Bob is correct till we hear the rest of the story!!

Kerry Bergeman June 25, 2012 at 11:04 pm

This kid knows better. My 3 year olds know better than to hurt others even when they fight with each other in a physical manner they know it is wrong. This boy needs help because he is serisouly ill.

Barbara Merritt June 26, 2012 at 12:53 am

Well said Bob. Once the entire situation is revealed this guy needs serious help AND confinement. Sadly. Only the latter is likely and he will just be held somewhere to worsen.

Jamie June 26, 2012 at 12:58 am

And i wonder who it is that will make these determinations? The same ones that toss killers back into the mercy of society because they deemed them no longer a threat? Maybe he does need help, but i do not want nor feel safe having someone like this allowed to walk around unsupervised. He needs to wear a monitor for indefinate period. I'd sleep better.

Jamie June 26, 2012 at 01:06 am

Barbara, just because someone receives help does not mean that danger is not present. He is only as human as the one who treats. Nothing is concrete and clad in guarantee. He has a criminal mindset and criminals are shroud in dishonesty and secrecy. Even should he receive help, i would not trust him in my presence or the presence of anyone i cared about, including children. Would you?

Johta June 26, 2012 at 11:37 am

Howard, I find that interesting. Do you have a link to those studies. My hypothesis would have been most who slash animals have not slashed humans, and vice verse. I would think those who've done both is less than 10%.

Stella McEnearny June 26, 2012 at 12:06 pm

With you 1,000%, Howard. These are defenseless creatures who have no voice at all for themselves. The kid needs to be put away for so long, he, she or it forgets what its name was. This is the Sandusky of the animal world and a most heinous creature itself.

Jamie June 26, 2012 at 01:07 pm

Helped in what way? What method of help are you suggesting? I would just love to see studies to support what you say. How do you help a mind bent on maiming, pain and sadistic behavior? Had this been a child that he was carving with his weapon of choice would any of you here posting, feel the same way? Would you trust him around your families? Would you trust him around your daughter/son? Pets? I'm talking about after all this help that everyone suggest he needs.

Deanne Baine June 27, 2012 at 12:50 am

If this young adult is indeed guilty of these heinous crimes, he has a serious, likely irreversible mental illness. He should be incarcerated for life while serving humanity as a research subject who could be studied closely for ways to recognize others like him more quickly, which ultimately could help thwart additional cruelties to innocent beings.

Laurie Dodd June 27, 2012 at 02:14 am

From an article in today's Wash. Post: "The 17-year-old was arrested over the weekend after an informant who knew the teen told police the strange story behind the slashings ... The informant told investigators that the teen said he had gone to a paddock near the park on April 26 to film himself riding a horse, according to the warrant. The horses belonged to the Spirit Open Equestrian Program, which teaches children with disabilities how to ride. The teen donned a black mask and black clothing and climbed onto the back of a white horse, but the animal threw him, the informant told investigators, and the teen became angry. Police did not say why the teen was making the video or explain his outfit. “[ The teen] said he was mad and began to hit the horse,” according to the search warrant. “He also told the [informant] he then hit the other horses. Later that day, the teen took the informant to the paddock, according to the search warrant. The informant told detectives that he observed an open wound on the white horse’s thigh and blood running down its leg. At that point, according to the search warrant, the teen made a startling admission: He had cut the horses with a 22-inch machete. ...

Laurie Dodd June 27, 2012 at 02:14 am

"The informant gave the account on Friday and the teen suspect was arrested on Saturday, police said. The teen has been charged with four felony counts of maiming animals, three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful entry. He is scheduled for trial on July 13. His lawyer and his mother declined to comment. The injured animals are expected to recover."

Skip Endale June 27, 2012 at 02:30 pm

This topic is too important to ignore so I looked into it. Your comments were inspiring to say the least. Interesting source ISBN 0-06-098847-9 ("Teens have the power to determine their own brain development, to determine which connections survive and which don't, [by] whether they do art, or music, or sports, or video games." This second wave of synaptogenesis is not confined to the frontal lobes... "the brain... undergoes dynamic changes much later than we originally thought.").
Given these findings its difficult to write someone off as a basket case right from the get go. As in every case its easy enough to present images of the defendants brain to the judge. Further, according to the sources I have looked into it is possible to rehabilitate the brain to an astonishing and functioning degree.

On second thought June 28, 2012 at 01:17 pm

I think some of you sound just as viscious as him.

T-Bird June 28, 2012 at 03:35 pm

People like Michael are what's wrong with socitey. It's not taxes or immigration as some would like to think. It's a total lack of responsibility. It's making any kind of punishment an anathema. Instead we are told to treat people with the softest kid golves possible. As if everyone has some good in them, and it will come out if you only hold their hand and tell them it will be ok. Well, Michael, that's not the case. Some people are truly psyco. Criminally insane. And, in this case, just plain animals. Maybe this person was failed by their parents. I don't know, and frankly I don't really care. All I know is that he is a clear and present threat to socitey, and should be put down like the animal he is. For I, for one, do not want to put anybody's life in danger for your hair brained utopian ideals.

Skip Endale June 28, 2012 at 07:39 pm

T - you are asking this kid to be put down, just to get some attention. The kid probably wanted some attention too. He hurt some animals in the process. You are asking that a human life to be taken. I think you and the rest of the hard liners are out of control. In your world this kid would die... who is next? When people are talking about Nazi Germany and the Third Reich the conversation always ends with NEVER again. I think we are closer to this happening again then ever before, here in the United States. Thanks to people like YOU!!!

T-Bird June 28, 2012 at 08:11 pm

Skip - I am asking that people be treated as they should. Punished for crimes, and yes harshly. Especially when there is a very good expecation that they will escalate their crimes. Here's an example where we could actually prevent a violent crime. Yet, what are we going to do. What exactly would you propose happen if you know so much? A fine? A few days in jail and some court ordered therapy? Because that's all they will get. And in 5-10 years, he's going to hack someone to death with that machette. And THAT Skip, will be on the heads of people like YOU!!

John Whitten June 29, 2012 at 12:08 pm

Absolutely right. This kind of thing has been often documented in the case histories and criminal profiles of serial killers. Apparently many of them, as they are just starting out, act out their ... wackiness... on animals and small children who cannot defend themselves. Over time the events become more aggressive, violent and sadistic as they get used to what it is they're doing. I have no doubt at all that the police have done a fabulous job of apprehending a Ted Bundy wannabe in the making. Kudos to the cops! Now if we can just manage to hang on to him and not let him slip through our fingers in some misguided, soft-hearted attempt to "give him another chance". I absolutely believe in the idea of "inherent evil". There are some people who, for whatever reason, are so severely mentally damaged that they are simply beyond redemption. To permit them to walk amongst us is foolish and dangerous, and whomever would advocate such a course would be, in my mind, a contributor to whatever future acts the individual might commit. We've got him now. Don't wait for it to escalate. Next time it could be your kids-- or it could be mine. It could be your wife or daughter. It could even be you.

John Whitten June 29, 2012 at 12:11 pm

That's wonderful. But will it make a difference when he's standing over you with the knife?

Don Joy July 9, 2012 at 07:58 pm

Based on the suspect's statements about making a video of him riding a horse, we have to wonder where is the video (if it exists)--do the police have it? If not, who does? The kid had to have someone else involved if his intention was to make a video of him riding a horse...
Seeing as there's now a recurrence, and the kid in question is already in custody, the situation points to either a copycat, or another/others involved with the first suspect continuing the attacks.

Vasquez2 July 11, 2012 at 02:58 am

Stop calling him an "animal", animals don't hate. He's evil, plain and simple, nothing less.

Leslie Perales Loges (Editor) August 17, 2012 at 07:43 pm

The teen charged in this case was convicted yesterday. His sentencing will be later this year. Check out the full update on Herndon Patch here:
http://herndon.patch.com/articles/teen-convicted-in-herndon-area-animal-slashings