billjohnson asked
Des Moines, November 12th, 2004 - Des Moines police are calling a shooting on the east side a case of terrorism. The weapon used? A b.b. gun. A 13-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after the shooting. The incident happened Wednesday night at a playground in the 2800 block of 35th street. 13-year-old Sierra Gearhart said the evening began as usual. She and some of her friends went to a neighborhood park after school. Suddenly she and her friends heard what they thought was gunfire. 'At first I thought it was a paintball and I wasn't sure.. I told my friend I'd been hit', says Gearhart. Sierra was hit by a b-b- gun pellet in the side of her face. She had to be taken to the hospital where she was treated and later sent home. Police later caught up to a group of teenagers including 18-year old Robert Coffman. Inside the car, the b.b.gun and a small amount of marijuana. Because a weapon was fired into a group of people police listed the offense as a case of terrorism. The charges against Coffman were downgraded to intimidation with a weapon. Not surprising to Des Moines police who say Coffman and the other juvenile's in the car simply made a bad decision. 'Who knows what gets into these kids minds they do things without thinking once they do it later they have time to reflect on what they did and they regret it a lot of times', says Todd Dykstra, Des Moines Police. As for Sierra, she knows Coffman and says she does not think he would intentionally shoot anyone, although she does think he should serve some jail time for what he did. Sierra may get her wish. We spoke with Coffman's mother late today, she says she plans on leaving her son in jail long enough to learn his lesson.
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