iPod related killing in Brooklyn, NY

[seeberg]

I saw this on the news the other day, and it pisses me off that something terrible like this would happen to anyone. Here's the link.
Thoughts?

Late,
Abe

 

[elrod-tom]

I never know what to make of stuff like this. On one hand, is it a bit nuts to expect to venture out into some parts of the world with $300+ worth of electronics? Probably. On the other hand, it's stupid in the extreme that someone is dead over something like this.

It's not like stuff like this has never happened before. Remember a few years back when kids were getting killed for their new Air Jordans? That it's new to us is that it's been associated with a "fad" and that CNN feels like manufacturing "news" out of it. Sadly, it's an old story...just with new players.

 

[seeberg]

I see what you mean, and I agree. Also, I had no idea kids were getting killed for Air Jordans. Sadly, with the state of society I imagine in another 5 years more people may lose their lives for material things. And again it will be brought to light in a recycled fad fashion, as per the method of such news organizations, at least, that's what I'd expect with the state of things as they are. It's a damn shame that this happened, and it is that it will happen again, IMO.
Late,
Abe

 

[Firam]

This has been said before and doesn't apply to us but get rid of the stock earbuds. They say steal me all over them. If I was a thief all I would have to do is look for white earbuds and I find a target.

 

[scrypt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elrod-tom Remember a few years back when kids were getting killed for their new Air Jordans? . . . Sadly, it's an old story . . . just with new players.

Pun noted, sneak pimp killer reference filed.

Yes, I, too, recall that overhyped byline. I still recollect that the reps of certain Nyorican regulars and Matt Courtney MTV stunt doubles rose and fell on the strength of obvious comments on the ironies of branded violence -- all of which swung less convincingly than Scottish squaredance karoake. Rereading those novelty litanies feels like Detachable Penance and makes me wanna give a shout out to Old King Missile's ostentatiously unbranded thronewear. "Thank you for patronizing Domsey's on just the right day. You really must be an artist."

 

[Jahn]

i don't think it's getting too political to say that folks should be able to walk out the door anywhere in the world with white buds without fear of dying. that such a fear exists is more a social commentary than politics i think - like "what the hell is wrong with people?" but coveting your neighbor's posessions is an old vice, and will be around forever. the fact that domino's deliverymen get shot for pizzas and kids die over shoes and ipods tho - that's just damn sad that it's gotten to that point.

 

[DigDub]

may he rest in peace.

http://www.nbc10.com/news/4681305/detail.html

 

[LFC_SL]

it is a sad but somewhat expected aspect of society. Violent/street/petty crime does exist. Drugs, poverty, jealousy

 

[EyeAmEye]

Yet more shining examples of humans doing what they do best. Couple this murder with the inevitable heartwarming 4th of July tales of stuffing puppies' mouths with fire-crackers, and you have one fine weekend of heroic deeds.

But, in all honesty, and once again, why be surprised? There are millions of people who feel the immense need to own an "Ipod", nothing else will do, and to top it off, they are more than happy to flaunt it. Why even take a second to ponder the obvious outcome? As a few of you have suggested, it was sadly to be expected.

 

[headchange4u]

I bought my 11 year old neice a PSP for her birthday. I told her to be very careful when playing with it in public. I also told her about wearing her white PSP earbuds in public. They could be mistaken for iPod buds or someone could tell that they are PSP buds and decide that they may take her PSP.

Her dad thought I was crazy when I told him that people would rob you for wearing white headphones. I made sure to show him this news story about the kid getting killed for an iPod and the rash of iPod related robberies. He was dumbfounded to say the least.

I feel wary when I wear my Ety's in public. Most people have no idea how much a set of Ety's cost, but I'm sure there are some people out there that know what to look for. Ety ER-4P/S have a very distinctive look with the red and blue stems.

 

[rickcr42]

Just more of the "I must have that" mentality I see so much of where if something is in fashion and all your freinds or those you eny have a thing you do not then saving or working for it is not part of the equation when taking is so much easier.

When I was 16 someone,actually like 12 someones tried to mug me and while I eneded up hospitalised for a couple of weeks with a few cracked ribs and a bruised kidney the punks never got a dime (or my copy of Black Sabbath Vol IV I had just purchsed.No one has a right to own something just because they want it and that kid did not deserve to die simply because a Human POS decided he wanted something without working for it.I hope he burns in the cahir but unfortunately will most likely be either having his sob story told in court how it is not his fault because he does not know any better or get convicted but parolled in five years so he can prey on more innocent folks becuase they happen to own something this punk wants.

I have a cure for muggers and takers ! Try to take what is mine !

No mercy as the first crew found out over a period of time

 

[Kirosia]

The ipod should be packaged with mace or a switchblade or something. It's sad, cause it's by all accounts a great player, but the people who seem to buy it tend to be idiots. If I got an ipod, I'd ditch the stock buds, and keep the thing in my damn pocket. Common sense, nothing to do with audiophilia. That is, if I feel that I may be threatened. (I used to wear white psp buds, no one messed with me) Cmon, I've seen the guys who buy it, and 80% look like pansies. I'm pretty sure I could go up to em, look em in their eyes, and they'd just hand it over. Don't flaunt if you can't protect yourself. It's foolish.

 

[TWIFOSP]

A sad story to say the least.

I don't really like how it's sensationalized to focus around the iPod though. That annoys me a lot. Someone was murdered here. Shouldn't that be the focus? Would this have made news if an iPod hadn't been involved? Would this have made national news if the kid was killed for his watch?

Probably not. Which is almost as sad as the kid getting killed itself. The fact that the media, and therefore America, cares more about what consumer product is causing crime, rather than the crime itself.

<Annoyed>
</Rant>

 

[gloco]

East Flatbush? Not surprised one bit. These gang-like thefts occur quite often around Brooklyn. My brother and his friend had a close call years ago and so did i when i was in High School.

Even worse, the animals that committed this crime will probably get light sentences and be back out on the streets to continue their life in crime.

"The fact that the media, and therefore America, cares more about what consumer product is causing crime, rather than the crime itself."

I'd really like to answer this part but my thoughts are too political to post.

 

[Jahn]

update - they are looking for a couple more kids, but they caught 2 kids - one who is 16 who they think is the main suspect for the actual killer, and a 17yr old kid that they just released because they couldn't tie him to the crime other than the fact that the 16yr old said he had something to do with it.