Current:Home > reviewsMichigan gun owner gets more than 3 years in prison for accidental death of grandson -Elite Financial Minds
Michigan gun owner gets more than 3 years in prison for accidental death of grandson
View
Date:2025-04-17 19:40:08
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! (3)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Tennessee GOP senators OK criminalizing helping minors get transgender care, mimicking abortion bill
- Deceased humpback whale washes ashore in New Jersey beach town Long Beach Township
- Vice President Kamala Harris meets with families of hostages held by Hamas
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- TikToker Nara Smith Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Husband Lucky Blue Smith
- Ralph Puckett Jr., army colonel awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during Korean War, dies at 97
- Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says the abortion ruling from justices he chose goes too far
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- The internet is attacking JoJo Siwa — again. Here's why we love to hate.
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Ralph Puckett Jr., army colonel awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during Korean War, dies at 97
- O. J. Simpson's top moments off the field (and courtroom), from Hertz ads to 'Naked Gun'
- Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife will have separate bribery trials, judge rules
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Lululemon's We Made Too Much Drop Includes Their Fan-Favorite Align Tank Top For Just $39 & Much More
- Iowa governor signs bill that allows for arrest of some migrants
- Caitlyn Jenner Shares Jaw-Dropping Message After O.J. Simpson's Death
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Biden announces new steps to deepen military ties between the U.S. and Japan
Look back at Ryan Murphy's 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' following athlete's death
20 years later, Abu Ghraib detainees get their day in US court
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Where are they now? Key players in the murder trial of O.J. Simpson
Horoscopes Today, April 11, 2024
Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter charged with stealing $16M from baseball star in sports betting case