spring break volunteer shot, in critical condition (1 Viewer)

[neworleanshoo]

Peters Twp. native shot while volunteering in New Orleans

Peters Twp. native shot while volunteering in New Orleans
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A 23-year-old Peters Township native who was volunteering with AmeriCorps in New Orleans was shot Thursday evening after he interrupted an attempted car theft.
Mark Smith, a 2007 Grove City College graduate, was returning to a volunteer center in the 17th Ward with a friend when he saw four men trying to steal a car parked in front of the facility. Mr. Smith and his friend were pursuing the men as they ran away when one of the men turned around and shot Mr. Smith, striking him two to three times in the abdomen. Today, Mr. Smith is in critical but stable condition, his father Ray Smith said.
Mr. Smith was captain of the 2006-07 Grove City College basketball team that won the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

the sort of thing we all knew would happen one day... won't exactly help our national image

awful news for the kid and his friends/family of course. but chasing down armed robbers? not. worth. it.

 

[Saint_Kyle]

Sorry, I know this is terrible, but this would happen in any city if you "interrupt a car theft," not just in New Orleans

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Not a single story about this in local (new orleans) media, as far as I can tell. Sorta weird.

 

[saint hdawg]

Sorry, I know this is terrible, but this would happen in any city if you "interrupt a car theft," not just in New Orleans

I agree, it's just horrible that a good samaritan is trying to do the right thing, but didn't expect the worse to happen. God bless him.

 

[purvis_guy]

What? Did he think he was Marlin Boulet?
.
I hope he get's well soon and is back with his family.

 

[obwhiteo]

Man Law Rule # 34,204 Section B

* When in New Orleans, Little Rock, Las Vegas or New York....Do Not attempt to stop a robbery of any sort, unless:
a.) you are personally involved
b.) family member is involved
c.) a super hottie is involved......

it doesn't look like any of those were happening so this guy just made the wrong choice!! hate it for him though...

 

[inetnawlins]

17th Ward?

Okay I'm not saying this didn't happen but absolutely no local TV, radio or print news. And do we even have a 17th Ward?

 

[dajmno]

17th Ward?

hollygrove

 

[inetnawlins]

hollygrove

Sorry. My bad.

 

[wbbigtymer]

Sorry, I know this is terrible, but this would happen in any city if you "interrupt a car theft," not just in New Orleans

lus-un2:

 

[champ76]

I interrupted a theft of my car once in NO, but from a distance. I saw a pair of legs sticking out of the passengers door as the thief hammered on the ignition. I hollered and the guy took off to an accomplice in a waiting car.
One time, I was followed to my apartment just off St Charles. The car pulled in behind me just as I parked. I took off and make several turns, all the while with the car following me. I finally stopped my car in the middle of St. Charles Ave(there was a ton of traffic) and walked back to the fellow who had been following me. Before I could get to him, a Second District cop pulled up and asked what was going on. The cop took down the other guy's name and told him if anything ever happened to me, he was coming after him. I never saw the guy again. I was stupid, but I was so ****** I wasn't thinking.

 

[neworleanshoo]

i'm shocked this hasn't been picked up by the local media.

 

[Cajun Chat]

It will be.

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

What? Did he think he was Marlin Boulet?
.
.

Not to make light, but that was funny, PG.

Hope he gets well enough to have a Gumbo Party when he gets home.

 

[Red Mosquito]

Sorry, I know this is terrible, but this would happen in any city if you "interrupt a car theft," not just in New Orleans

See, that's the type of attitude this state needs to dump quickly. I'm not calling you out, but this should not be an excuse. New Orleans is leading the nation in homicides. I guess that's OK cause, you know, Murder happens every where.