JB, to my point about the behavior and resolving the tantrum as two separate issues…
I don’t think any of us would argue his home life (minus one parent) is a big part of all of this, it is a cause for most of his problems and there are probably numerous solutions and ways to help, including as you say get him into a program. There is still plenty of time for this kid though (evidenced by his own recognition of his poor choice in throwing the fit), I don’t think he is on the road to gunning down fat slobs in line at McD’s. The school most likely has made mention of any issues if they’ve noticed them, but on that who knows, no info in the reports.
All that is totally separate from resolving the child’s wild tantrums, there might be more ways to resolve that then there are ways to incorporate help for the problems at home with no dad. The kid is 8, not mentally developed enough yet to recognize all the things that go into causing our reactions based on the entire spectrum of emotions, not to mention he isn’t anywhere near physically developed yet either. For Christ sake the kid can’t hit a curve ball yet. So he’s wielding some wooden wall trim, now you’re telling me some grown men (holstering a baton, and professionally trained to handle a violent adult assailant) are in a life or death situation, as to warrant using a weapon of their own, FFS

I could understand if the kid had a gun, any weapon that fires a projectile or maybe even a knife, but something that doesn’t even double as a baseball bat in Cuba, should we petition for 10 day waiting periods on all home improvement lumber purchases in order to complete the background checks?
An 8 yr. old can most certainly know the difference between right & wrong in many cases, but they are still 8 and have a long way to go in regards to full recognition of even their own feelings and emotions (not to mention the root causes etc). Still there are probably 3 dozen ways to get the kid to put down the wooden wall trim, starting with “hey look over there it’s Batman”, pepper spraying/tazing probably comes in around option 238 on the list though. I mean really wooden wall trim, oh is poor Mr. PoPo going to get a sliver, JFC. A woman teacher I can kind of understand, although locking themselves in a closet (which I believe is sensationalism by the reporter) is unacceptable. But a trained cop (man or woman)? The other problem with these stories is the reader gets all worked up and plays the extreme cards, whether about the bodily risks to those trying to subdue the child or as in placing blame on the kid (to give the impression they are all about self responsibility). Even to the point many will try to over play the self responsibility schtick for the sake of defending authority (serious conformist attitudes there). Yeah an LEO’s job is thankless, that is true and a shame, however when one (or more) is dealing with an 8 yo the context of the situation changes, and their fully developed brains need to step up and take control. Would the LEO get heat regardless of what they did, probably, comes with the job, but their lives were not at risk in any way shape or form from a wooden wall trim wielding kid that can’t get on the Millennium yet. Not even close. The kid probably couldn’t hurt a grown man with a flail.
B4 anyone flips their lid and plays the “you obviously don’t have kids card and don’t know what you’re talking about”, spare me the over hyped drama. I was 8. Plus I’ve been around plenty of kids on a daily basis (insert joke here_______). Parenting is certainly hard, and arguably the most significant responsibility one can take on, but dealing with kids in these situations doesn’t have to be hard what so ever, the KISS method works just fine.
Peeker, I’ve lived this life, came from a single parent home, when I was 8-9 I had more responsibility than most 14 year olds. Half raised myself and a sibling, doesn’t make me God, nor more right or wrong than anyone else. Played it straight though, 80% of the credit is due to mom no doubt (relevant to different times as well). But I do know if a kid lacks respect for LEO, LEO cracking down on kid in this manner doesn’t ensure the kid gains that respect nor trusts LEO in the future, it makes it that much more a 50/50 flip of a coin.
Mo is also correct in pointing out the litigious angle is huge today.
CDT, step off, it’s a 686 7 shot…and I own a speed loader, but with you I wouldn’t need it just a quick “hey, there’s Batman”.