Autistic 10 year old shoots Grandmother

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A 10-year-old boy with autism broke into a locked compartment and took a gun at a Uniontown church, shooting his grandmother – the pastor's wife – twice in the parking lot, police said.

Valerie Hall of Uniontown suffered a wound to a vital area in the parking lot of Solid Rock Ministries on Millview Street shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when she confronted her grandson to hand over the gun. She was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia and was in stable condition Friday.

The boy lives at the church with his grandparents, who have cared for him since he was six months old, said his grandfather and the church's pastor, Elmer "Buzz" Hall.

The boy and his grandmother were at the church with six children and two adults for a Bible study and dance class when he found the keys to a locked bedroom in her purse in a hall closet. He rooted through his grandfather's dressers and was able to open the locked gun safe. He fired shots at the church building and shot Hall when she tried to take the gun from him, police said.

Hall wondered if his grandson saw the incident like a video game, where a player shoots an on-screen character who is fine moments later.

"He's 10 years old, but he has maybe a 4-year-old mentality. He's smart, but he's like a baby," Hall said.

This summer, the boy's behavior was better than ever before, his grandfather said. He said they have tried to manage his autism with counseling and medication. They recently spoke to a counselor, who decided to increase therapy to three days per week.

"[He] is an extrovert. He is outgoing and makes friends with complete strangers. Everyone loves him. He can be kind and gentle and nice," he said. "But he has his moments."

In 2018, the child accidentally caused a fire in the church. He had a fascination with lighters at the time, and found one in a purse set on the floor. He lit it and ignited sheer curtains, then came to his grandfather in a panic.

Among the boy's many friends are the members of the Uniontown City Police Department. He had a long fascination with the show, "Cops." Thursday night, he found himself in their custody.

The boy faces attempted homicide and other charges, and Kolencik said no charges will be filed against the Halls, noting they exercised due diligence in securing the weapon.