Monday, April 4, 2011

It's harder when it hits close to home

As much as we try to avoid them, we all read or hear the news stories about teen violence. We comment on the sorry state of things. We worry about our own kids. We wonder where the parents are in all of this. Then we continue on with our lives and hope it doesn't touch us. Then it does.

Attacked

This weekend, a friend was attacked by a group of teens on his way home from work. He is one of the kindest, gentlest men I've ever met. He's a great husband, a wonderful father and a talented musician.

Happily he will recover, although it's going to take a while. In the meantime, he can't work. And if he can't work, he can't get paid. He was working as much as he could lately because he and his wife are expecting their second child next week. Their daughter, an angel herself, is staying with her grandparents while he recovers. His wife is trying to take it all in stride. Their family and friends are rallying around them.

Charges Laid

The police have caught the 5 teens involved. Two were 14 year girls. Yeah, girls. They hurled racial slurs while they attacked him with the heels of their shoes as weapons when he was already on the ground, unconscious. They have been released into their parents custody pending a hearing. They will probably all get off with a warning.

Its hard hearing about violence, worse for teen violence. It's harder somehow when it affect someone you know. It shouldn't be, but it is.

2 comments:

K J and the kids said...

I'm so sorry. That story and every story like it, makes me sick. I can't imagine what makes people hurt people like this.
I hope he's able to recover some compensation for his ordeal and heal quickly.

Mom of Twins! said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend and it freaks me out that this occurs!!! How horrible! I hope he recovers quickly