Baldwin Teenager Shoots Dad To Save His Mom

Alabama Shooting Deputies say 13-year old boy shot his father when the dad attacked and threatened to kill his mother

by Pat Peterson

Published: Wed, October 14, 2009 - 6:39 pm CST

BAY MINETTE, Alabama - Harry Williams says his 13-year old nephew was forced to grab a shotgun and defend his mother who was being attacked by his father.

"He saved his mama's life, that's what he did," says Williams. "If you snap a gun on somebody and kick a door in, you're fixing to kill them, I believe that! If I snap a gun on you three times, Hell, it's going to be some fireworks sooner or later!"

Late Tuesday night, investigators says Joseph Pruitt held his wife at gunpoint inside their Williams Drive home and threatened to kill her. When Pruitt's gun jammed, deputies say that's when the boy grabbed a shotgun from another room and shot his father twice.

"You have to wonder what all was going through his mind," says Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack. "Ultimately, he stood in defense of his mother who he believed was about to be shot and possibly even killed and he intervened in this in a way he felt he had to do."

Pruitt was rushed to USA Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery. The boy was questioned by detectives. Investigators say it's unlikely the teen will be charged in the shooting. Mack says if Pruitt survives, he could be charged with attempted murder later this week. The Baldwin County District Attorney's Office will review the case.

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aubiefan Says:

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 12:32 pm

poor kid, but good choice…. the father needs to be put away for sure and counseling fir the child… pray for this family and the well being of the boy….

bamafan Says:

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 4:52 am

My heart breaks for this family. My mother was a battered woman. My brother and sister and I had to endure several years of watching him abuse her. Even with them both having died long ago, you never forget something like that. This child, has seen and heard way to much. It will effect, for the rest of his life.But if the truth be told I would haved loved to have done that to him, so she would not have had to go thru so much pain. It was a terrible situation. I hope when he grows up to be a man. That he is a true man,not one who has to beat up a woman to make him feel like a man.

Matt Says:

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 3:13 am

Way to go kid.

lovepeace Says:

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 9:54 pm

I’d say he’s pretty much blown his opportunity to become a respectful father as well. As far as I’m concerned, try to shoot my mama, put me in a position to have to shoot someone at 13, you’ve lost your position as a fatherly role model. Maybe in the future he can turn his life around and they can re-establish a relationship.

I’m sure the boy will always love his dad and be conflicted over what happened, but I think the most respectful thing he can do for his son at this point is to leave the mom and son in peace, pay child support, and possibly provide emotional support from afar.

(Of course I’m assuming here that this happened as reported and he didn’t have a valid reason to be aiming a gun at the mom.)

What a brave young man!

dbrinkm Says:

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 8:14 pm

I hate that the father had to put his son in the position of choosing to have to shoot him. This young man will need help in the future to deal with this. Hopefully this will be a wake up call for the father to change his life.Hopefully he will become a respectful dad to his son because he’s blown his opportunity of being a role model husband.

rmseek1234 Says:

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 6:57 pm

Good job kid! I bet you made your mama proud!I’m sure it was a tough decision…but a good one.