A 10-year-old South Texas boy was questioned for allegedly threatening to kill a classmate, during which he revealed that he had killed a man two years ago. The child confessed to shooting and killing 32-year-old Brandon O’Quinn Rasberry in Nixon, Texas in 2022. He explained that he took a pistol from his grandfather’s truck and entered Rasberry’s RV before shooting him. The child claimed that he had never met Rasberry before and had no reason to be mad at him.
Investigators found the gun used in Rasberry’s murder at a pawn shop in a nearby town and matched shell casings from the scene to the weapon. However, due to the child being under the age of 10 at the time of the crime, he cannot be charged in connection to the homicide according to Texas law. The victim’s brother expressed disbelief and sadness at the fact that his brother’s senseless murder was committed by a 7-year-old. The child has been charged in connection with the threat made against his classmate and is currently in juvenile detention awaiting a court date.
The Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District released a statement revealing that the child had confessed to the murder while being questioned for threatening to kill a classmate on a bus. The child provided detailed information about the shooting death of Rasberry, including his actions leading up to the crime. Despite not knowing Rasberry personally and having no prior motive for the murder, the child carried out the act, shocking investigators and the community.
Law enforcement officials were able to locate the murder weapon and match it to the shell casings found at the crime scene. However, the child’s age at the time of the homicide prevents any criminal charges from being brought against him. This loophole in the Texas Penal Code has left many questioning how to handle the situation of a child committing such a serious crime. The child’s current detention in connection to the threat against his classmate underscores the need for appropriate consequences and rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.
The victim’s family members expressed their grief and disbelief at the tragic loss of their loved one at the hands of a young child. The senseless nature of the murder and the inability to hold the child accountable for his actions have left them grappling with the complexities of the situation. Despite the child facing consequences for his recent threat, the justice system’s limitations in dealing with juvenile offenders commit such heinous acts presents a significant challenge. The community is left to ponder the implications of the case and seek ways to prevent similar incidents in the future.
