Download the AOL News Toolbar
Our new toolbar integrates latest news into your Web browser and installs in seconds. Download it now!
Send Us Feedback
News Video

Find, view and share videos about news and entertainment from around the Web.
See Videos »

News Alerts

The latest updates sent straight to your inbox.

Get AOL News Alerts »

7-Year-old Boy Dies in Trespass Shooting

AP
posted: 4 HOURS 20 MINUTES AGO
comments: 2902
Text SizeAAA
HOUSTON (May 9) - A 7-year-old boy who was allegedly shot in the head by a couple who thought he and three other people were trespassing on their property died Saturday, authorities said.
Donald Coffey Jr. died Saturday morning at a Houston hospital, less than two days after the boy was struck in the head by shotgun pellets, Liberty County Sheriff's Cpl. Hugh Bishop said.
Skip over this content
Sheila Muhs and her husband, Gayle Muhs, both 45, were charged with second-degree felony counts of aggravated assault in the shootings Thursday. They were being held at Liberty County Jail with bail set at $25,000 each and had not yet retained an attorney, Bishop said.
Bishop said the district attorney could upgrade the charges to murder on Monday, but investigators were "still trying to get the circumstances behind the incident."
Skip over this content
Our new toolbar integrates latest news into your Web browser and installs in seconds. Download It Now
The boy, his 5-year-old sister, their father and a family friend were off-roading near a residential area about 40 miles northeast of Houston when they were shot after stopping so the children could go to the bathroom.
Authorities said the couple fired after they mistakenly thought the group was trespassing on their property.
Bishop said the area includes a dirt road, trees and overgrown brush and that it wasn't uncommon for people to go off-roading there. The Houston Chronicle reported that a sign in front of the suspects' home reads: "Trespassers will be shot. Survivers will be reshot!! Smile I will."
Liberty County Chief Deputy Ken DeFoor said Sheila Muhs fired a 12-gauge shotgun once, then handed it to her husband, who also fired once.
Skip over this content
DeFoor said Sheila Muhs then called 911 and told the dispatcher: "They're out here tearing up the levee, so I shot them."
DeFoor said the levee belonged to the subdivision and was not private property.
Bishop said there was no indication the unarmed victims did anything threatening toward the Muhs.
Donald Coffey Sr. suffered a pellet wound in his right shoulder and his daughter, Destiny, suffered a wound to the elbow. The family friend, 30-year-old Patrick Cammack, was in serious condition Saturday with a head wound, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center spokeswoman Alex Rodriguez said.
Skip over this content
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-05-09 15:23:19
GOOD READ?
365 votes

Related Articles

  1. See More Related Articles and Blog Posts
(2902)
Sort by:

1 - 10

ohd629

07:54 PMMay 10 2009

That's what happens when Mom & Dad are brother & sister. These two even look alike.

AVG RATING:
(0)

PANHERMES

07:53 PMMay 10 2009

TEXASSS! AGAIN!!! I've spent many enjoyable times with many friends throughout that great still and forevermore state. These two pieces of fecal matter deserve to be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, and mureder one, plust woundidng three additonal individuals. This took place, according to the above report, off their property, even had it been on their property, no warning. The sign on their property is also damning. Seems this was done in broad daylight the sign indicates the incident was committed with malice of forethought. Wonder if the FED's will discover other missing persons burried on or near that vicinity. Just going by the Muhs looks-the scum of the earth=let them rot for life until dispatched.

AVG RATING:
(1)

NFSGamerUSA

07:53 PMMay 10 2009

Just what we need when Democrats are trying to crack down on gun laws. Way to go, rednecks!

AVG RATING:
(0)

hdubs93

07:53 PMMay 10 2009

I goota respect that cool sugar daddy! haha

AVG RATING:
(0)

pepper260409

07:52 PMMay 10 2009

these ******* people look like METH HEADS or CRACK HEADS and look like like they were paranoid at someone being on their land...kill them and kill their family...get rid of one less crack headed addicted insest having family..i feel bad for family and will offer any help i can..to rid the world of crack heads like this

AVG RATING:
(0)

DancesWitMopps

07:52 PMMay 10 2009

THE BLACK CHILD WAS THERE TO STEAL STUFF .

AVG RATING:
(0)

WeRz937

07:52 PMMay 10 2009

IF YOU HAVE MEXICANS ALL AROUND YOU, YOU WOULD FEEL SYMPATHY FOR THESE POOR AMERICANS. MEXICANS AND ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE THE WORST PEOPLE AND LOWEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET.

AVG RATING:
(0)

KMLIEBE1

07:52 PMMay 10 2009

yeah!!!! let's give a gun to who ever wants one right!! am I right?? Yes let everyone who wants a gun have one sh!t we should hand out guns with soc. sec #s.

AVG RATING:
(0)

SherrieBaby1969

07:52 PMMay 10 2009

WHOA Kinda sickening how you people no NOTHING more then anyone else reading this story yet you've typed, Ohhhhh I bet the people they shot were black, or OMG these 2 white racist rednecks are on Meth. Its obvious both of these people have major issues and a child is dead but you cant judge a book by its cover, and.......You " BLACK Racist" Are making fools outta yourselves.

AVG RATING:
(0)

Rich2244

07:52 PMMay 10 2009

These two should be on every gun control poster. Obvious disregard for life. They shot a a couple of kids, they should be put to death.

AVG RATING:
(2)

1 - 10 of 2902

{ JOIN the CONVERSATION }

YOU'LL BE ASKED TO REGISTER OR LOGIN BEFORE POSTING A COMMENT.

News Makers

NewsmakersBack together again on 'SNL,' Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg come up with another catchy tune. It's called 'Motherlover.'1 of 8

News Makers

Eye on the News

    Indonesian monks receive meals from Buddhists on Vesak Day, also known as "Buddha's birthday," at the Borobudur Mahayana Buddhist monument on May 7. The monument's annual celebration attracts so many visitors, it has become the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia. The holiday is observed during the full moon in May or June.

    Ulet Ifansasti, Getty Images

    Belarussian WWII veterans dance during a Victory Day event outside Minsk on May 7. Belarus celebrates the official Victory Day commemorating the end of WWII on May 9.

    Viktor Drachev, AFP / Getty Images

    Villagers stand in line outside a polling booth at Kashtala village, southwest of Calcutta, India, May 7. The voting was part of the country's monthlong national elections for a new Parliament.

    Sucheta Das, AP

    A firefighter sprays water on a house burning in the Jesusita fire in Santa Barbara, Calif., May 6. The wind-driven wildfire destroyed homes in the central California foothills, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and injuring three firefighters.

    Gene Blevins, Reuters

    Pope Benedict XVI waves as he is driven through the crowd during his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican on May 6.

    Andrew Medichini, AP

    A Kosovo Albanian woman looks out a window, in the village of Babaj Bokes, after sheep were slaughtered during the celebration of the traditional feast of Saint George's Day on May 6.

    Armend Nimani, AFP / Getty Images

    Refugees look out of a truck as they flee fighting near Swabi, Pakistan, May 6. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistani people fled their homes due to fighting between the Pakistan army and Taliban forces in the Northwest Frontier Province.

    Daniel Berehulak, Getty Images

    Residents ride bicycles on a street during a sandstorm in Hetian, in China's Xinjiang Ugyur Autonomous Region May 6.

    Reuters

    A Russian Christian pilgrim is overcome with emotion while waiting to get into the tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City May 6.

    Tara Todras-Whitehill, AP

    An art handler places drugs for the art installation 'In this terrible moment we are victims clinging helplessly to an environment that refuses to acknowledge the soul' by British artist Hirst in the new Brandhorst modern art museum in Munich May 6.

    Alexandra Beier, Reuters

All Good News, All The Time

GNN


* Want the latest Hot Seat polls delivered to your Vista desktop? Hot Seat Vista Gadget »

Politics Daily

Sports

Money

Technology

Health

Entertainment