February 15, 2008
Family Will Sue City Over Cop Who Shot Toddler
A total no-brainer: The family of 17-month-old boy who was shot in the arm by an off-duty police officer has filed a notice of claim against the city. The Porcellini family will also pursue action against the NYPD and 24-year-old police officer Patrick Venetek.
Last week, Venetek's service pistol fired through his Brooklyn apartment floor - right above the Porcellini's. The bullet passed through the Porcellini's ceiling and through the left forearm of little Jonathan, who was in his playpen. Venetek claimed that he left his gun on his table for cleaning, but got hungry and made a sandwich first. Upon returning with his sandwich, he hit the table and the gun fell off and discharged. Ray Gordon, the Porcellini's lawyer, said, "There should never have been a bullet in his gun while he was cleaning it."
Newsday reports Jonathan was in high spirits, in spite of the bandage on his arm. The child's father Justin Porcellini doesn't want Venetek, an Iraq war veteran, to lose his job, but "What I hope to see is that the city is liable for this police officer, who is not even experienced on the job...We need to know more about his background and what he went through psychologically."
The electricity had been shut off in the apartment Venetek shares with his brother, who told reporters, "On a cop's salary, we're f---ing poor. I clean sewers and he's a cop. Rent was more important [than electricity]."
Photograph of Venetek via the Daily News
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I would sue Coors for making that Light beer he was drinking. That was the underlying cause. Also the makers of that T shirt he was wearing. Polyester blends kill more people than guns.
Idiots kill people guns only assist.
Revolver? Are we sure about that or is that being used as a generic term for gun? A revolver is a very specific type of gun and, I'm fairly sure, is not standard NYPD issue.
Though if it was a revolver, that makes it even less likey that the gun accidentally discharged as claimed. It was already almost impossible but if it was a revolver then it becames pretty much totally impossible.
Maybe he fired his gun on nailing the opponent's drinking cup. I know I would, but that's just me.
@SJ: You're totally correct 'Service Weapon' is the better term in this case. A revolver is a specific type of weapon which has a rotating chamber, among other definite characteristics. Most NYPD carry semi-automatic Glock pistols. Officers used to carry a .38 revolver, and some still due, but it isn't on the list of official service weapons any longer. I'd say with 99% certainty this dim fellow had a Glock, which is not a revolver.