Keith Walendowski, this is your 15 minutes of fame.
The story of shots being fired Wednesday morning on Milwaukee's south side near Howell and Morgan was reported on JS Online.
Gunfire is by no means commonplace in this area of Milwaukee.
Milwaukee police are gathered with a suspect in custody on the city's south side after he fired a shotgun in the area.
Early information provided does not indicate whether the man was firing at anyone or into the air, but police remain on the scene near S. Howell and W. Morgan avenues today.
Officers responded to the area for a report of shots fired about 9:30 a.m.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
I didn't expect that there would be such a lengthy delay from the time the shots were first reported to the more thorough explanation of the incident.
It took 48+ hours to find out what the shooting was about.
It was lawn mower rage.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
A 57-year-old south side man, who might have been struggling with a hangover, is charged today with shooting his lawn mower with a sawed-off shotgun.
"I'll tell you the truth," a criminal complaint quotes an apparently inebriated Keith Walendowski. "I got pissed because my lawn mower wouldn't start, so I got my shotgun and shot it.
"I can do that. It's my lawn mower and my yard, so I can shoot it if I want," Walendowski told police.
...Walendowski is charged with a felony count of possessing a short-barreled shotgun and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct while armed. If convicted of both charges, he faces up to six years and nine months in prison.
The shooting occurred Wednesday at a home Walendowski shares with his mother in the 3500 block of S. Austin St.
According to the complaint, Walendowski had been drinking all morning. Around 9:30 a.m., he attempted to start his 21-inch Lawn-Boy - unsuccessfully.
After shooting the mower, he went in his basement, where he was arrested by police, the complaint says.
Police recovered the shotgun, shells, a handgun, rounds for the handgun and a stun gun.
The story of Walendowski's outburst has been picked up by news outlets across the country. His mug shot is all over the Internet. It has that Nick Nolte look to it.
People can relate to Walendowski's frustration, I suppose. It's funny, but it's not funny at all. There are lots of kids in that neighborhood, playing outside. There are plenty of pets and people walking around. Furthermore, a bullet could have made its way into a nearby home.
It's scary to think a guy is drunk enough and angry enough to drag out a sawed-off shotgun and shoot his lawn mower.
Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Although Walendowski is facing felony charges for his actions, he is getting a bit of revenge and may be finding it somewhat satisfying.
All over the country and beyond, people are learning that a 21-inch Lawn-Boy wouldn't start.
That's certainly unwanted publicity for Lawn-Boy.
Lawn-Boy -- The mower that owners want to shoot.
14 comments:
> It's scary to think a guy is drunk enough and angry enough to drag out a sawed-off shotgun and shoot his lawn mower.
It's scary to think that anyone in the US can have access to guns.
Anonymous, what's wrong with people having guns? You have something against the second amendment? I don't own a gun, nor do I plan to, but what gives you the right to take that choice away from me? Let me guess, you think government knows best and should protect us from ourselves right?
Anonymous,where do you live? Anyway, you don't think its silly that this guy is potentially facing jail? I mean seriously, six years in jail for shooting his own property while drunk on his own property. That doesn't sound ridiculous?
Granted he was drunk, granted he had a sawed off shotgun (illegal), and yet they want to put him in jail even though he's anything but a hardened criminal. When jail is only sure to make him such considering how hard it is to get a job and the lack of rehabilitation from society.
Now am I saying he shouldn't be punished for his actions no, I just think sticking him in jail and having tax payers pay for his well being for six years is ridiculous.
Eh, how hard it is to get a job with a felony on your record that is. My point is that society isn't very forgiving, and despite paying their debt to society society never really allows these people to redeem themselves. Again, I'm not talking about real criminals here I'm talking about people who makes stupid mistakes.
"It's scary to think that anyone in the US can have access to guns."
That is the funniest thing I have read all day! The way it's worded makes me think you don't realize every person on Earth has access to guns. Just like every person on Earth has access to heroin or cocaine or bomb making material, etc. etc.
It is the individual who decides what path they take in life. Having a gun does not make you a criminal anymore than having a drink makes you an alcoholic. But, having a drink and a gun will make you want to shoot your lawnmower!
LOL in the USA!
Benjamin,
The guy violated the NFA (national firearms act of 1934) with an unregistered short barreled shotgun. That is a Federal felony and he will probably see jail time for it. An SBS is legal if it is registered and the $200 tax is paid to Uncle Sam.
The lesson here is make sure you use a shotgun with a minimum barrel length of 18" to shoot your lawnmower and you will only be facing a misdemeanor.
:)
No, No No! You guys are missing the point here. Don't overlook that damned lawn mower. When I heard of this on Paul Harvey this morning, I determined that I would be using this in a post. I am on a quest to divest myself from small gasoline engines because I don't want to end up like Keith. I just stopped in from yard work to rest a bit and decided to see if there was something online I could use for my post (to come later). This is the first post that popped up, so no doubt I will link my post to it. I don't drink, don't own a shotgun, but I can tell you that small engines that won't start are are very frustrating. I laughed and empathized when I first heard the story. It is worse than road rage cause that thing just sits there taunting you to give it another pull!
This case isn't about having access to guns.
It's about personal responsibility.
The gun didn't shoot the Lawn-Boy. Walendowski did.
I think it's scary to live in a country where you could be imprisoned for this sort of thing. I think it's scary that the United States has the world's highest incarceration rate, higher than totalitarian dictatorships, because we throw people in prison for having a minor lapse of judgment that hurt no one.
@Benjamin, who said: "...but what gives you the right to take that choice away from me?"
So, you're pro choice?
@Mary, who said "It's about personal responsibility."
Difficult, when you're drunk, wouldn't you say?
> That is the funniest thing I have read all day! The way it's worded makes me think you don't realize every person on Earth has access to guns. Just like every person on Earth has access to heroin or cocaine or bomb making material, etc. etc.
Ever been outside the great USA?
"anonymous, 6:25 AM, July 27, 2008"--
Becoming that drunk IS Walendowski's responsibility.
Choosing to shoot his lawn mower IS Walendowksi's responsibility.
Good grief.
I have never seen this blog before. Heard about the article and linked to it that way. I am thoroughly disgusted that a blog that calles itself freedom eden is against a guy shooting an inanimate object in his own yard. the shooting while drunk thing is a little scary, but the chances of bullets flying everywhere are low. you need to change the title of your blog.
Walendowski is charged with a felony count of possessing a short-barreled shotgun.
Freedom doesn't mean Walendowski has the right to break the law.
Walendowski also was charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
Do you think it's OK to be firing an ILLEGAL gun when you're drunk?
I don't.
Walendowski fired the gun in the city, where homes and yards and the sidewalk and street are in very close proximity.
He was drunk! Because he was intoxicated and because of the layout of the neighborhood, I would not say that the chances of a bullet going astray were low.
I'm NOT against the 2nd Amendment and the rights granted to us by the Constitution.
Good grief.
Post a Comment