A tragedy has occurred in my little town

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Community shocked by teen’s death

New Baltimore’s last murder was in 1967.

By Edward L. Cardenas, and Maureen Feighan / The Detroit News

*NEW BALTIMORE – New Baltimore is a place where neighbors really know one another and people flock to high school athletic events.

The buzz that began last week throughout the small city on Lake St. Clair was the success of local sports teams. New Baltimore was to come together this week to cheer on the Anchor Bay football and soccer teams as they competed in their respective high school playoffs.

But the roar of those crowds will be tempered with tears as residents cope with the weekend slaying of 16-year-old Justin Mello.

“It’s not even like school today,” Liz Lembas, 17, a senior at Anchor Bay High said Monday. “(Justin) … had so many friends and no enemies.”

New Baltimore’s first slaying in more than 30 years occurred Saturday night during a robbery at Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders, where Mello worked part-time after school.

Police say it was a setup.

“It’s so senseless,” said Betty Reim, administrator of the 42nd District Court, who discussed the slaying Monday with a court officer.

“Who expects somebody to die over $300? I would’ve given the guy $300 for this kid’s life,” she said.

Police on Monday would not disclose how much was taken in the robbery.

Meanwhile, a devastated Henry Mello, Justin’s father, urged his son’s killer to get help and pleaded for something more from other people.

“Don’t let this random act of violence stop you from living your lives,” he said.*

To see the rest of the article, click on this link.

http://www.detnews.com/2000/metro/0010/24/d01-138432.htm
I didn’t know this kid, but I live right next door to the high school where this kid attended school. I wish I had a digital camera so I could post a picture of the makeshift memorial going up in front of the school. This young man’s death was so senseless. He was a good kid who excelled in his studies and sports, and he was brutally murdered for $300. I feel so sad right now.

2

I hate it when stupid pointless horribly irreparable things like this happen. I don’t know what to say… There was a really bad car accident one block away from where I lived in Bethesda, and it helped to see the really nice notes and pictures people had put up on the “memorial tree.” Maybe adding something might make you feel better…

3

That’s terrible Shad. I think adding something to the memorial is a good idea. It is a good way to show you care as well as share your pain with the community.

Whenever I see something like this I just thank god that my kids haven’t been involved with something similar and pray that they will never be.

4

sigh…

They found the body of a ten year old girl missing in British Columbia.They have been searching for her for over 3 weeks.

Shadow, I am saving up for that island in the middle of nowhere… want to join me?

5

{{{:(}}}}

6

Shadow

Sorry to hear about this. :frowning:

7

UPDATE:

3 teens arrested in slaying of pizza shop worker

Todd McInturf / The Detroit News

  • NEW BALTIMORE – Three New Baltimore teens, one who attended part of Justin Mello’s funeral Thursday, were arraigned Friday in connection with the Anchor Bay High School junior’s death.
    Matthew Daniels, 16, Frank Kuecken, 18, and Jonathan Kaled, 19, were questioned by police and charged Friday with felony murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and using a firearm during commission of a felony.
    William Harding, of the Macomb County prosecutor’s office, said Daniels and Kuecken had no prior contact with his office, but said Kaled pleaded guilty earlier this year to breaking and entering of an auto and embezzlement. Kaled faced open charges of being in possession of alcohol.
    Police wouldn’t disclose whether the teens knew Mello, who was shot execution-style Saturday at Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders in New Baltimore. However, police did say they questioned the three after receiving tips from Mancino’s employees.* [snip]

The rest of the article is located here:

http://www.detnews.com/2000/metro/0010/27/metro-140174.htm

8

This is from my own school- which just increases the scare factor for me. sorry it is so long- taken from the october 11th issue of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch http://www.brainerddispatch.com
A student who brought a handgun to Brainerd High School on Monday was suspended for 10 days, Principal Steve Razidlo said today, adding that despite the incident, Brainerd High School students are safe.

The gun was retrieved from the student without incident by Razidlo and school liaison officer Larry Helsene, and Razidlo believes it was an isolated incident.

“It was an awful mistake made by one of the students, and I have shared this with the faculty and the students,” he said. “I believe our kids are safe.”

Razidlo said he received word from another concerned student about the gun at the end of third hour, about midday. He said he and Helsene were able to locate the student in about 10 minutes and escort him to the main office for questioning.

Upon questioning, the student told Razidlo and Helsene he brought the firearm to the school because of personal concerns happening in his life, Razidlo said.

The student was suspended immediately for 10 days, Razidlo said, and other possible penalties are still pending, though he couldn’t elaborate on what those penalties might be.

9

(((Shadowfox)))

That’s sad. Really, really sad.

Living in a community that is still reeling from a school shooting last year (the first grader, remember her?), I know how it feels when this kind of totally senseless violence occurs. I hope you and your community can band together and heal.