When police arrived, an apparently inebriated Walendowski was quoted as saying, “I’ll tell you the truth, I got [angry] because my lawnmower wouldn’t start, so I got my shotgun and shot it.
“I can do that. It’s my lawnmower and my yard, so I can shoot it if I want,” Walendowski told police.
Apparently not.
Unimpressed with Walendowski’s defense, police charged him with felony possession of a short-barreled shotgun and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct while armed.
If convicted, he could face up to six years and nine months in prison and an $11,000 fine, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Dick Wagner of Wagner’s Garden Mart, a lawnmower store not far from the crime scene, said shooting the mower didn’t help Walendowski’s odds of getting it started. Wagner said it was “unlikely” the Lawn-Boy could be repaired.
“Anything not factory-recommended would void the warranty,” he said.
A few comments from the peanut gallery:
Man in Connecticut: Well, that will teach that pesky lawnmower. I shot my car once when it ran out of gas — hasn’t happened since.
Alison in New Mexico: I tried kicking the bejeebers out of my lawnmower one day. I was so mad at that miserable thing.
After about the 20th kick I decided not to bust up my feet anymore and turned to go to the house and there stood four Jehovah witnesses. They said they’d come back another time. Told them I’d appreciate it!
Ross in Detroit: When he gets out of jail he can come over and shoot mine. I’ll provide the beer.
Unnamed: How much you want to bet he forgot to put gas in it?
