“If the injured man had stood his ground at his front door, rifle blasting he would be fine”

Terrific. And what if he had missed and shot into a neighbour’s house instead?

“If the injured man had stood his ground at his front door,”

In CT he’d likely be looking at the possibility of a stretch in prison. Really, property is not worth any of this.

Annie, I looked up a news article on this and it sounds even worse than what I got from your OP. I can understand your anger and frustration, being so close to the case. This closeness may also affect your reaction to the hindsight comments; while they don’t help this particular young man, they do serve as a very important reminder to the rest of us how quickly incidents can escalate into something tragic. Even if someone were to follow the above-quoted foolish advice, the case instantly changes from simple theft into an event with potentially tragic life-altering effects. Property is not worth it.

I wish for the very best outcome for the victim and his family.

Yes FOAS, the lore was always, if you shoot someone on your property, you better drag the body inside the house before you call the cops.

And thank you for saying about the need to remind others of how quickly these situations can escalate out of control. It helps.

Yes, I agree that property isn't worth it, but from his POV, it wasn't just a car radio or even a car, but his livelihood. When you're in that business, your truck and all your tools are the business. So that would give him greater impetus to act immediately to protect his property. In that business, if you don't work that day, you don't get paid. There are no sick days, no paid holidays or vacation days.

We have our pick-up parked in our yard. We keep it locked and so far no one has broken in, though we have no idea if anyone attempted to. But it's over 20 years old and we use it for yard work and such. If it disappeared, we'd be upset, but not broken by it. Different value, different incentive.

^^^ Exactly, Annie. There was a lot at stake — practically and emotionally. It was his livelihood and his family’s well-being. He might have lost his place to live as well.

The likelihood of his tools and equipment being recovered was likely slim.

Of course, in hindsight….

In this capitol city, we have seen an exponential increase in what used to be "quick property hits" and things like purse snatchings (ie from a car or the person at a gas pump or loading groceries into their car) that now involve violence and end in injury to the victim. It sometimes seems like the perps are looking for an opportunity or excuse to be violent.

One of the community leaders blamed the rapidly increasing violence from teens and young adults on the community rec centers having been closed during the peak of covid in 2020. SMH!

I wonder if the essential tools and equipment were adequately insured?

Even if they were, there would be a lot of down time waiting for the claim to be processed if he couldn't afford to replace them all on the spot, and then purchasing new tools, if they were actually available, since a lot of stuff isn't on the shelves due to supply chain issues. (And I don't know what it's like in the US, but here it can take several months/over a year to get a new vehicle once ordered, and the price of second hand vehicles is consequently ridiculously inflated.) So it wouldn't have been easy to just stand there and think, "go ahead and steal my stuff, I'm adequately insured."

He has been in my thoughts these past days. Including him in my prayers with Cooper and Jamie (from another thread).

Thank you bpath. Last update I got, he's still intubated, in a coma, brain still swollen.

Oh, dear.

Oh, Annie, such a heartbreaking story.

So much crime, guns, cruel young people hurting others.

I, so hope he pulls through. So sad.

Jane

I can't even imagine the medical bills -- on top of everything else! And...if (I hope *when*) he does recover, the family will have been without income for so long. Such a bottomless tragedy.

Just heard from his sister that he is still in a light coma but is able to breathe on his own. This is going to be a very, very long road.

Annie, that sounds encouraging.

Breathing on his own is a first step. Hopes for many more steps on the road.

My comment is going to sound like victim blaming and I really do not want it to come off this way. Cars are insured. Businesses are insured. Both are just "things" that are replaceable. Vehicle break ins and thefts are at an all time high all over, even here in Calgary. My husband and I each use a steering wheel lock that can't be cut with bolt cutters. But we get up every morning and yet still check to make sure our trucks are both still there. Then when we start them, we hope the catalytic converter is still attached as they've been getting cut out left right and center and insurance doesn't cover that. Rule of thumb is: do what you can do to protect your belongings, but never risk your life. I'm sorry your friends grandson is going through this, and I do hope the Go Fund Me is helping with the bills. No family in the US should ever have to go into bankruptcy because of hospitalization of any kind. Maybe the good people on this forum can donate a few dollars if you have the link to the donation page. $5 is better than no $. I wish all the best for him and do hope the doctors can bring him back to his old self again soon.

Thanks Deb, I don't think I can post a link to the go fund me here.

I'm sure he never thought he was risking his life, only wanting to scare them off. And it did work in that his truck and belongings are in tact. I wish I could say the same for him. It's still so heart breaking. And no word on the status of the police investigation.

Annie, we have dine a few Gofundme’s here on the KT.

Having the breathing tube removed is a VERY positive sign!

The brain does heal, but it is often a very, very slow process, and often never quite completely.

When he makes it to rehab, (hopefully one that specializes in brain injury) there should be a support group for his family - if not, encourage them to seek one out.

I pray for his continued progress, and strength, patience, support and comfort for everyone.

Yes, raee, there is an excellent brain trauma rehab place and the family is already working on getting him there when he's released from the hospital.

Annie, thank you for your updates. Their lives and especially his have certainly been turned upside down. I continue to pray for him & those who love him. Just like with what happened at the parade, this causes so much anger in me....so totally wrong. But I am thinking positive for him!!

My ring neighborhood app goes crazy at night with all the reported attempts of these horrible people. You see them on the ring cameras checking car doors, Then, there is usualy someone driving the get away car. and they all pile in and on to the next cul de sac. We got hit not too long ago but there was nothing to steal but a couple of measly dollar bills in the tray. Been here going on to about 40 years and this is the first time and am just now becoming aware of making sure the cars are locked. It have never been a real problem. I dont understand what they are getting from this. Most people dont leave valuable stuff in the cars.

Just what we expect law enforcement to do is a bit unclear. Here in the burbs it is hard to make a move without being caught on someones camera. But it only helps when the alarm goes off and by then it is often too late. Most of these characters all look and dress alike so it is difficult to see an individual. I understand the frustration, but what is law enforcement really going to do about this, realistically? They cant patrol every street.

Your story of this young man is just awful. So sorry for him.

Annie....how is he doing?

Update: he had a very delicate 4+ hour surgery yesterday on his chest and lungs, which should help improve his breathing. His brain is still swollen...it will be weeks before they can put his skull back together. He is still in mile one of a thousand mile journey.

Thanks so much for asking.

Update on our friend's grandson. He had surgery today to put a shunt in to drain the excess fluid from his brain. Then hopefully in a couple of days he may be in a regular hospital room. They hope in a couple of weeks they may be able to put his skull back together. He's probably on Mile 2 now of a 1,000 mile journey. The poor guy.

No word on the perps who did this yet. I doubt there ever will be.

Sending warm Get Well wishes to your friends grandson.

Such a sad story. poor guy.

Goodness ...

I have been watching, thinking, and praying.

You have to believe that justice will happen somehow. You have to believe he's going to get better.

Nothing comes from fretting forever. Of course we all fret at the beginning, but if you think about it, and you shore yourself up with friends, like us, you can be brave now.

Be brave! You have nothing to lose when you hope.

Hugs

So very sad and unfair. As far as robberies, DH workplace parking lot has security cameras, fenced, lights etc. Yet, trucks and equipment are often stolen. Not only are vehicles taken, tires are removed from trucks, locked trucks broken into…etc. Nothing is safe, no matter how hard one tries to prevent thefts.

Thank you for the update, Annie. I was thinking of this fellow as I updated on Cooper, and hoping for news. Has he been in ICU all this time? Heartbreaking.

Oh, Annie. So very sorry that this happened to your friend's grandson.

The world has indeed changed and not for the better.

bpath, he was able to be in a regular hospital room for the first time for a few days last week, but now, after surgery of course, he's back in the ICU.

Thank for the update

I do hope for the best for him. Such a crap shoot. I can only hope he improves.

I'm praying for his full recovery.

Long journey for this young man...thank you for the update. I am lifting him up for healing.

Continued prayers for this young man. I sincerely hope he can fully recover from this horrible trauma.

I'm appalled on almost a daily basis by the things some young people are doing. I think as long as criminals keep getting a slap on the wrist for committing crimes, things like this will continue to happen.

Thanks for the update. I hope this young man will improve and fully recover eventually but one never knows. It is really hard to believe how badly out of control crime is getting.

When you read about a 13 year old being one of the 4 arrested for beating up a taxi driver in NYC it just boggles my mind. And i think another was maybe 14. How desperate were these people to rob and beat a 60+ cab driver?

What are America's children *so angry* about? This decent man is another victim of our crazed society.

Yesterday we started watching a movie staring Michael Caine. It's fantasy/catharsis, titled "Harry Brown", in which a British pensioner takes gang crime into his own hands because the law is hamstrung. It's unsettling to realize that this movie was made in 2010; the evil has only spread.

I got an update. He's finally made it to long-term rehab, but will probably be back in the hospital again when they are able to put his skull back together. He's off of the tubes, has been able to feed himself and is starting to show some signs of movement on his right side, though his right arm is still not working well. He's got a long road ahead yet, but so glad to see signs of improvement.

Annie, how is it that you know when I’m thinking of him? He came to my mind today, I lifted him up, and here you are. There is so much work ahead, and any sign of controlled motion is a sign of hope. I’m sure he is very motivated. Thank you for the update.

Oh, that IS good news! What a valiant struggle. Getting out of hospital alone has to feel so good. I hope the rehab situation is good -- not a 'parking' spot.

No it's a top notch place with an excellent reputation.

Oh, that sounds like progress. Never underestimate the strength of our youth. He's been in my thoughts.

Prayers. I am so sorry. I just hate this new world we live in !

Annie, it’s nice to read some encouraging news about this young man. I sincerely hope there is continued improvement.

We've come a long way with medical procedures....just not far enough. Hoping he makes a full recovery. Thanks for the update Annie.

What nicole said, exactly. Hoping he and his family and friends can find some joy this season, and find the strength to keep looking forward.