Current:Home > MyMichigan gun owner gets more than 3 years in prison for accidental death of grandson-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Michigan gun owner gets more than 3 years in prison for accidental death of grandson
View Date:2024-12-23 17:01:25
DETROIT (AP) — A man whose loaded, unlocked shotgun was used in the accidental death of his 5-year-old grandson was sentenced Monday to more than three years in prison for violating Michigan’s new gun storage law.
“This tragedy was 100% avoidable,” Judge Robert Springstead said. “All you had to do was listen to the people in your life that were telling you to put these loaded guns away.”
Braxton Dykstra was shot and killed on April 1 when a 6-year-old cousin got access to a shotgun at Karl Robart’s home in western Michigan’s Newaygo County. Braxton’s 8-year-old sister witnessed the shooting.
In August, Robart pleaded no contest to violating Michigan’s gun storage law, one of the first significant convictions since the law took effect in February.
Firearms must be locked up when children are present. The consequences for a violation depend on the details and whether someone is wounded or killed.
Robart, 62, will be eligible for parole after 38 months under the sentence ordered by the judge. A similar case against his wife remains pending.
“There’s a lot of things I could tell you. It’s not going to change what happened,” Robart told the judge, his voice breaking.
Braxton’s father, Domynic Dykstra, acknowledged that his son’s death wasn’t “done maliciously.” But he added that most deaths involving drunken drivers aren’t malicious, either.
“Owning firearms comes with a great responsibility,” Dykstra said in court. “Common sense tells you if you have guns in your room don’t let children in there. ... I guess it’s not so common anymore, is it?”
At least 21 states have criminal laws related to failing to keep a gun away from children, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
___
Follow Ed White at https://twitter.com/edwritez
veryGood! (56)
Related
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Stop picking on 49ers' QB Brock Purdy. He takes so much heat for 'absolutely no reason'
- Yes, exercise lowers blood pressure. This workout helps the most.
- Alaska governor pitches teacher bonuses as debate over education funding dominates session
- 32-year-old Maryland woman dies after golf cart accident
- 'Swift Alert' app helps Taylor Swift fans keep up with Eras Tour livestreams
- Syphilis cases rise to their highest levels since the 1950s, CDC says
- Boeing declines to give a financial outlook as it focuses on quality and safety
- Louisiana asks court to block part of ruling against Ten Commandments in classrooms
- Woman, 71, tried to murder her husband after he got a postcard from decades-old flame: Police
Ranking
- Chipotle unveils cilantro-scented soap, 'water' cup candles in humorous holiday gift line
- Simon & Schuster marks centennial with list of 100 notable books, from ‘Catch-22' to ‘Eloise’
- Broadway Star Hinton Battle Dead at 67
- Police Arrest Pennsylvania Man Who Allegedly Killed Dad and Displayed Decapitated Head on YouTube
- Where you retire could affect your tax bill. Here's how.
- Could seaweed help us survive a nuclear winter? A new study says yes.
- Woman, 71, tried to murder her husband after he got a postcard from decades-old flame: Police
- Miracle cures: Online conspiracy theories are creating a new age of unproven medical treatments
Recommendation
-
Smithfield agrees to pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant
-
Dunkin' faces $5M lawsuit: Customers say extra charge for non-dairy milk is discrimination
-
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's PDA-Filled Daytime Outing May Just Blow Your Mind
-
For Chicago's new migrants, informal support groups help ease the pain and trauma.
-
Tech consultant testifies that ‘bad joke’ led to deadly clash with Cash App founder Bob Lee
-
Eminem retracts threat of diss track directed toward Lions OC Ben Johnson
-
'Redemption': Wedding photographer's free portraits for addicts put face on recovery
-
This Michael Kors $398 Crossbody Can Be Yours For Just $63, Plus More Deals Up to 82% off