Boy Set on Fire Over Video Game Debt
Normally, we're of the type who would defend the youth of America. Sure, they're not the brightest crayons in the box, but we think, at heart, they're generally well intentioned. But we're done defending them after hearing about 15-year-old Florida boy Matthew Bent and his four hoodlum friends, who set fire to classmate Michael Brewer this past Monday.The incident unfolded thanks to the $40 Brewer borrowed from Bent to purchase a video game. In retaliation for this unpaid debt, Bent attempted to steal a bike, belonging to Brewer's father, on Sunday. The crime was thwarted when Bent was observed by Brewer, who promptly called police.
Bent took this as an excuse to escalate the conflict. He enlisted four friends, and returned to Brewer's apartment, where they surrounded him, doused him with rubbing alcohol, and set him ablaze. Brewer broke free of the pubescent mob, and jumped into the swimming pool of his Deerfield Beach apartment complex, but not before suffering second-degree burns over most of his body.
Most disturbingly, the Miami Herald reports that Bent ordered the other boys to "pour it on him," while the others shouted, "He's a snitch," as if they were exacting revenge for some organized crime syndicate. Bent, and the other boys -- Denver Jarvis, Jeremy Jarvis, Steven Shelton, and Jesus Mendez -- are now in police custody and being charged with with aggravated battery. Mendez faces the additional charge of second-degree attempted murder for being the one who supposedly ignited Brewer.
All of this over a video game. Maybe all those curmudgeons who complain there's something wrong with today's youth really are on to something. [From: Miami Herald, via Gawker]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gonch said 11:31AM on 10-15-2009
I hate censorship and blaming the media, music and games for violence.
Despite that, my views are starting to change as I see the results from generations that are growing up with the internet and movie franchises like Saw. These kids are spending too much of their lives in the dregs of the net, where they pore over pictures of real gore and sex, desensitizing themselves to the hardest of hardcore before they've even become teens. They've developed sub-cultures around the concept, and that's what disturbs me the most.
Organized desensitization. No different than the brutal civilizations of thousands of years ago. Civilizations that also culled the weak, the infirm, and ruled their populace with intimidation and violence. But hey, they say history goes in cycles, so I'm not really surprised.
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old_fogie_late_bloomer said 2:53PM on 10-15-2009
Well, OK, but on the other hand, I think there are some larger decline-of-society issues here, like the fact that the parents aren't monitoring internet usage, and AREN'T TEACHING THEIR KIDS NOT TO BE BRUTAL SAVAGES!
Seriously, do you think we could maybe have parents say to their kids, "Hey, you know, this is a difficult subject to talk about, but dousing people in rubbing alcohol and lighting them on fire is not a good way to resolve conflict..."? We live in a time where parental guidance is needed more than ever, specifically because there is so much more-or-less unavoidable STUFF out there (slash films, shoot-em-up videogames, whatever), and yet parents seem to be parenting less and less, exerting less discipline, and so forth.
Ali said 4:41PM on 10-20-2009
I don't think it's just violent video game, raunchy music videos, or shoot em up movies that is the cause of this. It's the parents that don't take the time to teach their kids right from wrong, and to let the media be their moral compass. I played Resident Evil, I listen to rap but I haven't "Busted a cap" in anyone. Nor have I lit someone on fire. Parents need to serisously take an active role in parenting. If you are in capable of doing that you don't deserve to have children. I was completely floored when one of those hoolem's mother had the gaul to say her kid is a good kid and wasn't actively involved. Correct me if I'm wrong, but standing there and letting it happen and shouting encouragment is taking an active role. Lock these punks up for good.
Lisa Mazelli said 11:57AM on 10-15-2009
I'm so sorry for the pain this little boy has to endure.
I hope the law will incarcerate the four boys for the rest of their days. It sounds as if the children in this group could have the potential to be serial killers, or they have no concern for human life. In most situations it's due to poor parenting and as far as I can see these parents need to be charged with the inability to bring good decent people into this world. They obviously are not fit to teach children right from wrong and should have to sit in jail with their children.
I hope the victim will survive, but he's got a long road ahead and needs a lot of prayers. God will bless him..
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chadmumm said 12:24PM on 10-15-2009
I'm not trying to start a flame war, but Apple suxors! He should have bought an Xbox 360!
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neofolklore said 1:03PM on 10-15-2009
Well .... snitches get stitches, you learn that in elementary school, and that has nothing to do with a generation of video games and violent movies.
@chadmumm, lol, "flame war", I see what you did there.
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Mary said 1:56PM on 10-15-2009
This is so sad. My prayers go out to this boy. I hope he survives. This has gone way beyond snitching, and whatever you want to call it. Welcome those kids who perpetrated this to the adult world. They all have graduated to bona fide, first-class, possible real jail time now.
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