Mother, boyfriend face assault charges in Bremerton school shooting
Mar 13, 2012, 3:52 PM | Updated: 5:28 pm
The mother of a 9-year-old boy who shot a fellow student at a Bremerton Elementary school will now face assault charges in the incident, the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Jamie Lee Chaffin’s boyfriend, Douglas Bauer, also faces a charge of third-degree assault in the Feb. 22 shooting at Armin Jahr Elementary School that left 8-year-old Amina Kocer-Bowman in critical condition. Both Chaffin and Bauer also face charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors allege the couple’s negligence allowed the boy to obtain a loaded firearm from their home, which he then brought to school in his backpack. Police say a bullet from the .45-caliber handgun struck Bowman after the firearm accidentally discharged.
The boy pleaded guilty in juvenile court to unlawful possession of a firearm, bringing a weapon to school and reckless endangerment. In exchange for the guilty plea, he will was given probation and asked to testify against Chaffin and Bauer.
If found guilty of third-degree assault, both Chaffin and Bauer could face up to five years in prison. They will make an initial appearance in Kitsap County District Court on Thursday.
