A 15-year-old boy is dead after a 62-year-old man reportedly shot him in the abdomen this week for accidentally bumping into him at a local store. The teen’s family is now seeking justice as well as donations to help with funeral expenses.
William Pulliam, a white man, has been charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of James Means, an unarmed black teen in Charleston, West Virginia. Means’ family says the shooting was very much racially motivated because a remorseless Pulliam allegedly told investigators that killing the 15-year-old meant “another piece of trash off the street.”
Per a criminal complaint filed by Charleston Detective C.C. Lioi, the shooting occurred Nov. 21 outside a dollar store in Charleston, West Virginia. Means bumped into Pulliam and the two “exchanged words” before going their separate ways. Pulliams crossed paths with James again when Pulliam left the store and walked past Means and friend Clayton Ferguson hanging out on another friend’s porch.
Ferguson tells investigators that Pulliam and James argued again and when James crossed the street to confront Pulliam, the 62-year-old pulled out a gun and shot Means in the abdomen twice. Means died at a nearby hospital.
Pulliam, who went to dinner after killing Means, says he shot the unarmed black boy because he felt threatened by him. “I felt my life was in danger,” Pulliam told Charleston Eyewitness News in a jailhouse interview. “I’m sorry, but I’m 62 years old. I’m not going to take a bunch of punks beating me up.” The alleged murderer also denies telling investigators Means was a “piece of trash,” but claims Means “flashed a gun.” However, police say Means was unarmed and that there was no physical confrontation between the two.
Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Pulliam wasn’t even supposed to have the .38 he used to kill Means in his possession. Pulliam was previously convicted on a domestic violence charge which barred him from legally owning a gun.
Teresa Means, James’ aunt, advises others affected by the story to refrain from “posting any type of hatred or revengeful words on Facebook.” Describing her nephew as a “smart and loving” boy who could a “put a smile on anyone’s face,” Teresa says Facebook negativity done in James’ name wouldn’t be something he’d want.
The family has raised $40,000 on GoFundMe.