Bullshit he put himself in that position not society.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/crime-law/teen-shot-at-mall-had-troubled-past-but-was-making/njYn5/
Correct.
The story in the second link really has the spin doctors in high gear. Sheesh. 16 years old, a high school sophomore, already involved in multiple instances of criminal activity, and everyone is shocked -- SHOCKED! -- that he "got involved" in something like this.
BS indeed.
Jawaad moved to the Middletown City Schools District from Columbus earlier this school year, and was a sophomore on the football team, school officials said. Earlier this year, he was charged with petty theft for allegedly stealing Pop Tarts, two plates of fried chicken, a Snickers bar and a plate of sushi from Kroger, 3420 Towne Blvd., according to Middletown police reports obtained by this newspaper. Two other juveniles and MHS football players were charged with petty theft, according to police reports.
Sounds like a high school with a football team that has a "corporate culture" problem. Shame on the coaches for not teaching their players to behave like human beings.
Jawaad also was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly punching a Hamilton High School student at a basketball game, and he was in possession of a “small baggie of marijuana,” while at school, according to police reports.
In other words, at 16 he was already a multiple offender.
The Rev. Michael Bailey, pastor at Faith United Church and linkage coordinator at MHS, said Jawaad has been suspended at least twice for his actions. Bailey said he was “blown away” when he heard Jawaad, a soft-spoken student, was allegedly involved in an attempted robbery over a pair of tennis shoes.
“How did I miss this?” Bailey asked. “I never saw this coming.”
He said losing a life over a pair of shoes shows how materialistic our society has become.
“It’s like, ‘I got mine. What about you?’” Bailey said.
I can't be sure if the good reverend is criticizing the punk for getting himself killed over a pair of shoes, or if he's criticizing the shooter for defending himself against an armed assault. I hope it's the former because, if it's the latter, there's a man who has no business being a pastor.
Ladonna Matthers, one of Jawaad’s cousin, spoke with his father about the deadly shooting.
“He’s very heartbroken; it’s tragic,” said Matthers, who said Wallace Jabbar was out of town working on Monday. “This is very unfortunate. He’s very polite and well mannered, he likes video games…a good kid. Unfortunately, he got caught up in something that ended his life.”
No, dear, he didn't "get caught up in something." He made a conscious decision to become an armed robber. Actions have consequences.
Matthers said she never knew Jawaad was involved in criminal incidents.
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
“Very surprised to hear about this,” said Matthers. “Regardless like I said of anybody’s past or anything he’s a 16-year-old child.”
A 16-year old who indulged in committing adult crimes. You can't just write off a criminal history with “Regardless like I said of anybody’s past or anything ..."
