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smb814Huh. In a sense, I expected this. In another, it's a complete surprise.
As anyone who's been following this ongoing saga on my LJ knows, my neighborhood's resident burglar has been hitting the neighborhood roughly once a week. It's entirely possible it's been more than that, but we haven't heard about any other instances because, well, we don't know everyone in the neighborhood yet. We're working on changing that, but at the moment, that's what we know.
So, today's burglary involved a townhouse about four blocks from our house. The kid broke in and stole a lady's computer equipment.
Let me clarify: he was trying to steal a lady's computer. The difference this time was that the lady came home while he was still there, pulled out her gun, and shot the kid in the head. According to the neighbor who just told us about it, he's dead.
Police have swarmed the area. Finally, they're doing something about it. And you know what? If they had followed our other neighbor's tip two weeks ago about where the thief was taking all the stolen goods, this particular death could have potentially been avoided. I'm afraid to hear how it's going to affect that woman's life, because right now I don't trust our legal system to not try to punish her for defending herself.
A part of me hates seeing anyone die like this; after all, he was someone's son. The other part of me is deeply relieved and saying, "Good! That's what you get for making a living out of terrorizing people and stealing other people's hard-worked earnings!" I really, really hate feeling like that about someone's violent death, but after all the crap we've been through the past few weeks, a little piece of justice like this goes a long, long way to restoring my faith in the world.
Granted, we're not entirely sure the kid who was killed is the same one who broke into our house all those times, but gee, stealing computer equipment and following that weekly timeframe? Sounds a little too coincidental, if you ask me. It would be interesting to hear if the neighbor who got that good look at the kid two weeks ago could ID him.
I'm sure this kid wasn't working alone and there's other creeps out there, too close to home, but maybe there will be a police investigation this time. Maybe they'll find more stolen goods (or, heh, our missing ADT sign, because exactly who would he be able to sell that thing to?). Maybe this kid's fellow creeps will give it a rest for fear of the same thing happening to them. Maybe there will be an effort to clean up that part of the neighborhood. Maybe we'll even have some peace of mind again in our own home, at least for awhile, until they start getting cocky and start the cycle up again.
If anyone's interested, let me know and I'll keep you guys informed of the fallout from this. And can I just say, again, how grateful I am for everyone on my friend list who provided their input, support, encouragement, and suggestions through the emotional turmoil of the past few weeks? Thank you all so, so much. Maybe this insanity is finally coming to an end!
As anyone who's been following this ongoing saga on my LJ knows, my neighborhood's resident burglar has been hitting the neighborhood roughly once a week. It's entirely possible it's been more than that, but we haven't heard about any other instances because, well, we don't know everyone in the neighborhood yet. We're working on changing that, but at the moment, that's what we know.
So, today's burglary involved a townhouse about four blocks from our house. The kid broke in and stole a lady's computer equipment.
Let me clarify: he was trying to steal a lady's computer. The difference this time was that the lady came home while he was still there, pulled out her gun, and shot the kid in the head. According to the neighbor who just told us about it, he's dead.
Police have swarmed the area. Finally, they're doing something about it. And you know what? If they had followed our other neighbor's tip two weeks ago about where the thief was taking all the stolen goods, this particular death could have potentially been avoided. I'm afraid to hear how it's going to affect that woman's life, because right now I don't trust our legal system to not try to punish her for defending herself.
A part of me hates seeing anyone die like this; after all, he was someone's son. The other part of me is deeply relieved and saying, "Good! That's what you get for making a living out of terrorizing people and stealing other people's hard-worked earnings!" I really, really hate feeling like that about someone's violent death, but after all the crap we've been through the past few weeks, a little piece of justice like this goes a long, long way to restoring my faith in the world.
Granted, we're not entirely sure the kid who was killed is the same one who broke into our house all those times, but gee, stealing computer equipment and following that weekly timeframe? Sounds a little too coincidental, if you ask me. It would be interesting to hear if the neighbor who got that good look at the kid two weeks ago could ID him.
I'm sure this kid wasn't working alone and there's other creeps out there, too close to home, but maybe there will be a police investigation this time. Maybe they'll find more stolen goods (or, heh, our missing ADT sign, because exactly who would he be able to sell that thing to?). Maybe this kid's fellow creeps will give it a rest for fear of the same thing happening to them. Maybe there will be an effort to clean up that part of the neighborhood. Maybe we'll even have some peace of mind again in our own home, at least for awhile, until they start getting cocky and start the cycle up again.
If anyone's interested, let me know and I'll keep you guys informed of the fallout from this. And can I just say, again, how grateful I am for everyone on my friend list who provided their input, support, encouragement, and suggestions through the emotional turmoil of the past few weeks? Thank you all so, so much. Maybe this insanity is finally coming to an end!
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no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 01:55 am (UTC)I'm just continue to keep everyone in my thoughts.
no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 03:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 04:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 05:24 am (UTC)Such a sad situation. I mean, he lost his life...and for what? Stuff. *shakes head* Such a waste...
This seems to be a "what goes around, comes around" type thing. Because truly, that's the risk you take when you terrorize people, their homes, and their possessions.
I'm just glad you are all right! *hugs* And I hope this'll solve the problem... or discourage whatever cohorts he may have had from attempting to rob anyone else.
~Misty
no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 01:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 02:47 pm (UTC)