Irresponsible Gun Owner of the Day: William Oller, Sr.

As someone who can sing about as well as Brooklyn Decker can overhaul a diesel engine, I’ve dodged a few beer cans and heard the cries of horror from those on whom I’ve inflicted my voice. As Harry Callahan once said, a man has to know his limitations. Mumbling along to the Star Spangled Banner while safely drowned out by 18,000 fellow hockey fans? No prob. Grabbing the mic on amateur night for my rendition of American Girl at a local watering hole? Not even at gunpoint. Some, however, are blissfully missing any capacity to objectively judge their own warbling ability (have you watched American Idol’s audition shows?) and — despite all evidence to the contrary — never miss a chance to belt out their favorite ballad. And it’s just that woeful lack of self awareness that got William Oller, Jr. shot . . .

It seems his dear old dad, William Oller, Sr. just couldn’t abide Junior’s penchant for karaoke. According to redding.com., Senior was at Junior’s house back in January when young Oller’s holler became more than Senior could bear any longer.

…the shooting erupted after (Junior) and his father argued over his playing of karaoke music.

At one point, a sheriff’s report says, the elder Oller left the Sites Road residence and made a statement to the effect of “I’m going to shut you up.”

The senior Oller then went to his pickup, grabbed a semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at his son, who had gone outside to talk to him, the report said.

The younger Oller retreated into the residence and locked the door but later opened it after he believed his father had left the front porch, the sheriff’s report said.

But dad hadn’t left after all and directed his heater at his progeny again. A struggle ensued and junior was shot in the arm.

Despite his wounds, Junior’s a forgiving soul and didn’t want to see Pop prosecuted — even though he’s let him languish in the hoosegow for seven months awaiting trial. So this week,

In exchange [for a no contest plea], William Henry Oller Sr., 71, was sentenced to time served in jail and placed on informal probation for three years, Redding defense attorney Aaron Williams said. Unlike formal probation, those placed on informal probation are not required to report to a probation officer.

In light of the leniency shown toward Senior, we can probably agree that there are lessons in this disturbing incident for both Ollers. Senior needs to know that shooting your children makes for awkward Thanksgiving dinners. And Junior has to learn when to stuff a sock in it. But despite mostly skating on the attempted murder charge, Senior won’t be able to dodge our IGOTD trophy quite so easily when it’s tossed his way. But if he uses it to pound Junior’s karaoke machine to smithereens, we’ll understand.