very upsetting :(

[Morning Angel]

I wanted to share a terrible experience that my 17-year-old sister and her friends went through last Friday. It really shook me up to realise that there are dangerous people... dangerous kids!... even in a relatively safe neibourhood.

My sister's friend was driving her and some other kids around when a 19-year-old boy from their high school began following them in his car. They vaguely knew him, and they knew that he used drugs and was generally bad news. (Earlier that day, my sister's friend (the owner of the car) had accidentally hit his car with hers in the school parking lot. Although there was no damage to either car, the boy got upset and yelled at her. He didn't want her insurance information, he just wanted to be mad.) So my sister's friend pulled over onto a side street, hoping that he'd pass them by or say his peace and then leave. But he also pulled over. He then took a pellet gun and fired four shots at them. The first shot hit the windshield. The second shot hit the driver in the temple, and she had to go to the hospital. Luckily, she ended up with only a bump on her head and no lasting damage. The other two shots smashed the rear passenger side window where my sister was sitting. She was also lucky - she only had a few small cuts.

The boy was arrested but got out the same day on bail. He is under a restraining order and cannot come within a certain distance from the high school. He is suspended from school and will be expelled. He has a court date scheduled for a year from now. But today he is free. This boy whose temper flared over an insignificant car accident can walk the streets and go wherever he pleases with one small restriction. He has nothing against my sister specifically, since she was just a passenger in the car, but I am still afraid for her. What on earth possesses people to act like this? What kind of person would pull a gun, even a pellet gun, on four teenagers, three of whom are completely innocent, and the other guilty of the smallest of crimes? I'm in university, living in a different city from my family, so I feel helpless. I guess I just needed to vent my anger, fear and confusion.

Morning Angel

 

[qjakal]

Hubris...

We're a territorial species and it does odd things to our judgement. Having lived in some interesting areas of NYC I can testify that this behavior isn't all that extraordinary for certain personalities. All affronts and situations are regarded as confrontational and to back away from them would endanger (in their minds at least, and sometimes correctly) their standing/reputation and ability to conduct "business" in their territory.

Doesn't make it correct or even understandable to the majority of people, and certainly is of little help to either your sister or anyone involved with these critters. Treat them like rabid wolves and assume the worst of them...you won't be disappointed too often.

Q

 

[Limeoutsider]

People suck. All people, not just the mean ones.



Seriously, people that have bad tempers shouldnt be allowed out during certain hours

 

[the_Baron]

i have sometimes felt as Lime does.

 

[ticklebutton]

I'm so sorry, Angel!

It's frightening to have danger approach people we love, and at a distance you feel so frustrated that you can't be there to help them.

Consider this comforting thought, though - it sounds as if the adults around her did all the right things immediately such as the restraining order to keep him away from them & from the school etc.

I hope your sister is getting professional help to deal with the trauma of it, and please take good care of yourself as well, Angel.

Button

 

[Knox The Hatter]

One day, this kid's gonna do that, and the person in the car will pull out something a little bit more potent, and put great big holes in his head with exit wounds.

 

[Iggy pop]

I think this experience is terrible, but I like to say that I have used drugs and never done anything like this.

 

[Mitchell]

Iam very sorry to hear about this incident Angel. It was very scary. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. It seems that anyone can make a terribly violent incident over a little mishap. Clearly, this was a severe case of delayed road rage. It seems psychotic to cause someone physical harm over anything, especially over something minor like a tapped fender with no damage. Clearly, the guy should have been more severely punished. In addition to the incident, there is undoubtedly much trauma involved for your sister and her friend. An incident like this just shows how violent and screwed up some in this world are. It is a sad testimonial to the deterioration and violence in our society.

Mitch

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

This is just plain sickness on this boy's part. Theres really no excuse for what he did. If he doesn't have mental problems then surely hes prone to acting out his thoughts. He could have simply thought "what if?". I myself (as I'm sure we all have) have thought of doing something weird, violent or whatever. I believe this boy simply may have had a twisted fantasy and thought it would be cool to try it out and see what happened. Maybe he did it for the rush. It sure wasn't worth it. Its good to know your sister and the others are ok though.

 

[AphxA]

this young generation is sooo lost. I am sorry to hear of your incident Morning angel. Such a sad,sad world we live in.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Lost? Yeah, lost and dengenerative. Wait, am I included with them? Thats not fair. 🙁

 

[His Divine Shadow]

People today. No one cares anymore about anyone other than themselves and their own property. What happened to the times when mistakes or accidents meant an "I'm Sorry" and calm words instead of screaming, violence, and court dates. Hopefully before we kill ourselves off humanity will open it's collective eyes and see just what it has become. But, like a hopefull dreams, this one will likely not come to pass. Darned shame.

 

[TKpervert]

Forgetting civility for a moment, this 19-year-old has a serious need for one of his 'victims' to hurt him badly.
Not to the level that Knox suggests, just something that will have him laid up for six months or so and in lots of pain.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Actually, TK, it was not something that I was hoping to happen...just a suggestion that it is a very feasible scenario...especially in the neighborhoods I live ten or fifteen minutes from. It could very easily happen tonight...or for a reason even more trivial.

 

[TKpervert]

I understand Knox. Lethality (sp?) isn't necessary as a response.
However, it's always good to have a bully overpowered early in life to avoid a string of victims such as Morning Angle's sister.

Four broken ribs (with the requisite punctured lung), a broken jaw, and a concussion is a good start.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Why be so violent? Put him in one of those "Scared Straight" programs, and throw him in the cell with the big boys. If that doesn't break him, then there are other options.


EDIT: I'm in no way meaning to downplay the severity of what he did, it was vicious and wrong. But beating him to a pulp isn't the answer. I think getting through to him mentally and scaring him is more effective. Roughing him up might just cause him to be even more violent and likely to do things like this again, or worse.

 

[TKpervert]

I say beat him to a pulp first.
If that doesn't work, then lock him up.

 

[Moses25]

One day, this kid's gonna do that, and the person in the car will pull out something a little bit more potent, and put great big holes in his head with exit wounds.

Nice one, Knox. 😎

"Exit Wounds", eh? It's too bad that DMX wasn't upon this scene when it went down. Where's a hardcore gansta when you need him?

Btw, my shizzle's in the fizzle and sumpin' sumpin'.

Cheers.😀

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Actually, the First Shower Of The Stretch is a likely scenario, too. After they're done with him, he'll need help up off the floor, help getting dried and treated, and help getting back to the cell. Not pleasant.
Here's something to ponder: what if this kid feels that the pain he dishes out to others doesn't come close to the pain he's been dealt in his life? He just might be beyond any remedial activities at this point...and you might think that 'exit wounds' would be a remedy that benefits the environment he lives in, and possibly society itself. At least it's the easy way out in a country where most people have a very short attention span for debate about complex issues.
What a world we live in!

 

[Morning Angel]

thanks everyone

Thank you all for your support, suggestions etc. My sister is dealing remarkably well with the whole thing, and since word spread quickly through her school and the neighbourhood this troubled kid is being watched like a hawk everywhere he goes. These things are somewhat of a comfort.

I'd like to say that I won't wish the kid harm and that I'm above vengence, but don't think I haven't wished for a ton of bricks to fall on his head. Maybe they'd knock some sense into him.

I don't know if this generation (my generation? I'm only 22!) is any less functional than previous ones, I just know that although it's a crazy world and anything can happen, we won't let it get us down. My sister has other things on her mind, like applying to college, and I may be moving overseas in a year; yes, it's upsetting, and yes, some jerk with a pellet gun can shake us up, but worrying about him is not going to consume our days. Thanks again to all of you.

Morning Angel

 

[BigJim]

I don't know about exit wounds Knox, if he's going anywhere near a prison shower, then it's entry wounds that he should be worrying about. 😀

Morning Angel, you have my deepest sympathies. I personally think the little shit should have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon or wounding with intent and something a tad more serious done to him, than being slapped with a restraining order.

 

[Morning Angel]

Thanks BigJim🙂

I wish that more serious immediate action were being taken too. The kid was charged... I think there were 4 charges in all... not sure what they were exactly. The problem is that the courts work disgustingly slowly, so he won't get to court for a year. At least he'll be tried as an adult, since he's 19.

heehee... entry wounds...

Morning Angel