17 hours ago
Friday, November 14, 2008
a Stranger
As I was checking out at my Stop and shop last week, I intuitively knew SOmEtHinG was up by how the employees were acting- Staring towards the other end of the store, whispering to themselves. There was a hush in the air. I asked my check out lady.. Is something wrong? She stared intensely into my eyes a few seconds and said.. "well, I guess I will tell you, Someone tried to shop lift a grocery cart full, and When the security guard tried to stop him, he slashed the kids face. He was bleeding real bad, and an ambulance came for him.. You can't leave out that door down there, the police have it blocked." I was so horrified! I said "the kid? how old is the security guard?" She said in his twenties. OH NO! My heart just about broke for this poor boy. To have that kind of serious injury and be scarred for life over a basket of food?! I couldn't help thinking of my own twenty something kids. It also scared the hell out of me, that this was all going on, while I was in my own world down each aisle. I know crimes and injustices happen everywhere, but geeez.. it shocks you when it's right where you shop each week. I wasn't nervous to walk out to my car because the police literally had the place surrounded. I over heard that they still didn't get the bastard. All week, I just keep thinking of the poor kid. I know he is a total stranger to me, but I keep saying a silent prayer that he will be okay.
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19 comments:
A reminder of all the many strangers we should spare a thought for.
That is awful! I hope they get that guy. Sometimes I just don't get people.
Hey, I have something for you over on my journal. :-)
http://cookingmom.livejournal.com/33058.html
I like that the stranger in your story was the 20-something-year old security guard, not the criminal. So often the word "stranger" evokes negative feelins, but in your case, it was sympathy for a stranger, rather than fear of a stranger. Great post!
Poor guy - but so close to 'home' makes you wonder how safe you are.
A terrible case, but it hapens all too often nowadays. Empathy, and speaking about it like this, is the way to pass on the message that it is unacceptable.
that is scary indeed.. i am thinking the security company should have better trained the guard... don't approach someone like that for heavens sake... call the police... it isn't easy to disappear with a full shopping cart... is it???
Oh Lucy, how horrible. That poor kid, hope he's going to be okay!
I hope he'll be okay. Unfortunately in these economic times this is not the first time to hear a similar story. I pray it gets better soon!!
I'm kind of confused. I swear I left a comment on this post already... but I guess I didn't hehe
But that is such a sad story. I think it is only human to get shaken up by what happens to strangers. After all, it could just as easily have been one of your kids like you say. I really hope they catch the guy who did it.
It's a crazy world!
Excellent story! You wrote it so well; it kept me interested all the way through.
desperate times, desperate measures.
good thoughts for the secrity guard is a given.
Wow, this reminded me of a book I'm reading describing different witnesses of a crime. But it's real! And yes it must have felt strange knowing it was so close-by. It's not difficult to feel compassion for strangers, is it? ;)
how sad...hope the young man is okay.
when i was younger, my mother always suggested we say a prayer each time we heard the sirens from a police car, fire vehicle or ambulance. something i still do!
What a shock to have it happen so close by! I hope the young security guard is not so badly injured but what his face can be repaired by a good plastic surgeon.
Ohmigosh! That's a frightening story - I, too, hope he'll be all right - and really glad that you're okay. It does make one want to be a little more careful and observant, though, doesn't it?
That is a shame Lucy! I was wondering if these kinds of crimes would rise. I guess we should all be more aware these days.
HUGS
you know it makes me wonder, if someone needs to do this for a basket full of food, how bad he/she might be starving
Just devastating...no amount of money is worth a crime such as this!
I worry the same as you do! Let the companies hire security if they want the thieves chased. Kids aren't equipped for these situations!
That is so sad. I hope you'll update us if you find out how he's doing.
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