(11-01-2023, 03:41 PM)Diamonds of Frost Wrote: The 'young man' comment I imagine was used deliberately to put a stopper in our sympathy. 'Child' is a far more impactful word and will make most of us feel a sort of horror that a little boy had a gun and used it. 'Young man' is more in keeping with the US gun attitude of nothing to see here move along.I would also add his choice of words (in the moment) is in keeping with a police chiefs demeanor and training. When speaking (especially in public announcements) they tend to be more reserved and formal.
Sounded as if he used "young man" simply from a chiefs commanding perspective, perhaps out of deference to the victim(s) and the student respectively. Saying "minor" sounds cold, saying "child" (directly after an incident of this nature) might offend the victims, as it implies an innocence incongruent with attempted murder, and saying "juvenile" has an element of criminal connotation - the chiefs natural choice would be simply to call him "young man" (and like you say above)...
If you listen to the newer community updates by the chief, he emphasizes the word child when speaking of him.