Posted on 11/03/2007 7:53:09 AM PDT by Bluestateredman
Cops: Stickup teen says he meant no harm By Jessica Fargen Saturday, November 3, 2007 - Updated 10h ago + Recent Articles + Email + Bio Boston Herald Health & Medical Reporter Check out the Jessica Fargen Making the Rounds blog. E-mail Printable (9) Comments Text size Share (5) Rate A Dorchester teen allegedly armed with a semi-automatic weapon walked into Stalex Pizza planning to rob the mom-and-pop shop Thursday morning, but he later told police he never intended to hurt the owner, a prosecutor said yesterday.
Gary Johnson, 18, is accused of robbing the Norfolk Street pizzeria and then shooting 45-year-old owner Mumin Manavoglu as the hardworking dad chased the teen down the sidewalk.
Johnson, a student at ABCD Academy, was ordered held on $250,000 bail yesterday in Dorchester District Court and pleaded not guilty to armed assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and firearm charges.
Manavoglu remains on life support at a Boston hospital.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley called the shooting a tragedy. “Once again, an illegal gun has struck down an innocent family man, and once again a young man may pay for his actions for the rest of his life,” he said.
Assistant District Attorney Cory Flashner said Johnson covered his face when he entered the store at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday, flashed a gun, demanded money and fled with $60. Manavoglu was shot once in the head as he chased after him.
Johnson was arrested nearby after he dropped his outer layer of clothing and the weapon. In a taped police interview, Johnson admitted that he planned a robbery but did not mean to hurt Manavoglu, Flashner said.
“(He said) he did not mean to shoot the person chasing after him, but he did not deny he shot him,” Flashner said.
Johnson’s family, including his parents, appeared in court to show their support. Lamont, 31, of Dorchester said his younger brother didn’t carry a gun and didn’t need to steal. “It’s shocking to the family,” said Lamont, who didn’t want his last name used.
Johnson’s attorney asked for $10,000 cash bail saying her client had community ties and no defaults on his record. Johnson lives with his mom in Dorchester.
jfargen@bostonherald.com
Apparently a gun magically appeared out of nowhere and shot someone.
Poor kid, he didn't mean to hurt anyone.
I suggest life in prison for anyone who commits a crime using an illegal gun.
Moron.
***Johnson, a student at ABCD Academy***
I bet I was smarter than him when I was 10.
Had he carried the gun, but not loaded it, I might have believed him.
Gary Johnson, 18, is accused of robbing the Norfolk Street pizzeria and then shooting 45-year-old owner
Since when is an 18 year old a teen? So sorry, Charlie, but this guy is an adult. The other major error in the thought process of the article is, if Mr. Johnson meant no harm, he shouldn't have brought a gun to do then job, THEN use it during the getaway. Do the crime = do the time.
“Gary Johnson, 18, is accused of robbing the Norfolk Street pizzeria and then shooting 45-year-old owner Mumin Manavoglu as the hardworking dad chased the teen down the sidewalk.”
Teen, teen, teen. The guy is an adult.
“Only a lad”, I guess. (Oingo Boingo reference)
Doesn't the DA mean an "undocumented implement", it's not PC to call anything illegal. What if the implement had been documented and was legal? How does a gun become undocumented?
And the "young man" may pay for his actions, while the victim is on life support.
It is good to know that the perp didn't mean to shoot the victim {in the head}, and his smarmy lawbitch wants $ 10,000 in bail?
Well said.
>>Since when is an 18 year old a teen?<<
By definition, anyone between the ages of thirTEEN and nineTEEN is a teenager.
Oh here is another tidbit that speaks volumes, here is the blog on his school.
ABCD University High School
Mission
The ABCD University High School operates in cooperation with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) to enable nearly 100 young people each year to complete a curriculum approved by the Boston Public Schools at ABCD and still graduate from their original BPS high school.
Many students are over-age, struggling academically, or otherwise at risk in the traditional school system. Despite the high-risk profile of these students, over 90 percent of them successfully earn their high school diplomas.
The University High School strives to honor students’ individuality and unique learning styles in a safe, supportive educational environment.
The school helps students fully develop their strengths and skills through many classroom-based activities, discussions, and projects. At the same time, the school fosters development of a positive atmosphere and congenial sense of community in which all students and staff enjoy mutual respect.
Eigh.
Since the English language has been in use.
I would ask this 18 yr. old one question and one question only.......
“When you set out to do this act, did you know it was illegal?”
Rather difficult to get around that one.
Eighteen, it's in the last part of the word. He's still an adult though.
I think that it is safe to say that the article is using the teen reference to drum up sympathy for Mr. Johnson and to give the impression that he shouldn’t be held responsible for his actions considering his “tender age.”
If you will notice he is still in high school, when he should have graduated last June. Then please take notice the blurb on his high school, which is obviously a continuation school or reform school.
I am willing to bet that this isn’t Mr. Johnson first encounter with the police department.
Illegal gun? What is an illegal gun?
So sorry to point this out to you, but that all changed in 1972, when they changed the status of adulthood from 21 to 18. I remember it well.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley called the shooting a tragedy. “Once again, an illegal gun has struck down an innocent family man, and once again a young man may pay for his actions for the rest of his life,” he said.
Asshat.
Stupidity can be dangerous....
(Originally penned with unthinking teens in mind)
Stupidity can be expensive...
(Normally reserved for politicos and CEO's)
Also applies in this case...
This kid just "spent" his life's freedom and his rights to be a tough guy for ten minutes trying to steal a couple hundred bucks...
It's called the risk-to-reward ratio...
Bigggggg OUCH!!... kid...
If the victim dies....
Don't forget to kiss your momma goodbye before you get on the prison bus...
Sayonara!
I completely agree. When is an eighteen year old a "teen", and when is he a "young adult"? Depends on who's writing the story.
Side note, one evening my then 15-year-old daughter referred to herself and her friends as "young adults". I informed her she would be a "young adult" when she was paying her own rent, buying her own food, and willing to take full responsibility for her actions. She reverted to "teenager" very quickly.
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