This is one of the top trials going on in my area (Richland,
Washington) this month.
On July 4, 2013, 2 teenagers shot and killed another in
front of our development (Horn Rapids).
Kristin Kraemer, a local reporter for the Tri-City Herald, has been
covering the story well (good ledes, details, quotes, etc.). It’s the basic story of how kids ruin their
lives over drugs and alcohol. Having 3
teenage boys, I pay close attention to these stories. This type of thing makes me keep close tabs on my kids – probably
more than they would like. I still can’t
believe something like this happened less than a mile from our house.
One of the main contributors was marijuana – a substance now
legal in our state for those over 21.
Many Washingtonians (yes, that’s what they call us) believe the
legalization of marijuana will lead to similar episodes of violence. Despite the recent political endorsement, this
issue will be under debate for some time.
It looks like the jury had trouble reaching a verdict last
week. I would imagine it would be tough
– especially when kids are involved.
Link:
Charles, I'm so lost with this phenomenon of teenagers killing teenagers. Truly sad!
ReplyDeleteThe good lord saw fit to give teenagers all that strength and energy and no wisdom at all. (We really do talk like this in Texas)
ReplyDeleteI take a lot of violent people to jail. They are almost all young. Outside of domestic violence, most people age out of street violence by their early thirties.
While a parent(s) can do everything right and still have a kid turn out "bad." The trend of single parent homes and drug culture is the most powerful indicator for risk of a teen.
Teens live in very small myopic worlds. If they don't have some source that is opening their eyes to all the world has to offer and how you get into the various pipelines for those paths...all a teen will have is modern tribalism. Which is street culture. It is the default setting for those who have not been enlightened to a larger world. Street culture is the lowest cultural setting and that is what a teen will plug into if no one shows him other options and a real understanding of how to make it.
Street culture afflicts all races and creeds. It is raw and functionally bereft of hope. Education is salvation.