A 48-year-old Gwinnett County man, Shihchen Chou, was arrested after allegedly shooting two children with a BB gun for making noise while cutting through his yard. The incident occurred on Monday last week near Lawrenceville, prompting a police response, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
The children, ages 6 and 7, were playing near Chou's home when they were shot. One child was hit in the back of the head and the other near the neck, though the injuries were not life-threatening. WSB-TV reported that Chou became upset with the children running through his yard. Neighbors and the children’s parents have expressed concern, with one mother, Zulma Navarrete, saying, "The scare…I feel awful because I can’t believe it."
Chou is facing multiple felonies, including first-degree cruelty to children and aggravated assault, as well as two misdemeanor counts of battery. A judge denied him bond, deeming him a danger to the community. After the arrest, Estefani Gonzalez, the mother of the two children, expressed relief, saying, "Now I’m feeling okay, because he’s in the jail," in a statement obtained by WSB-TV.
It is unclear whether the BB gun was recovered or if Chou has legal representation. Police have not provided further details about his next court appearance.
