I Bet He Killed Himself
Posted: Thursday, April 22, 2010
by Jack H. Schick
I think he's dead. I think he killed himself. They aren't telling us anything yet, but I'm willing to bet that's what it is. The cops and medics are at the house keeping everybody away. They aren't saying much. They don't want to disrespect the individual, they say. I heard about it on one of those 'breaking news' announcements on the radio on my drive home from work.
Everybody knew who they were talking about, though. A couple of weeks ago there was a road rage shooting on a busy highway between Reading and Valley Forge. Some guy shot a few rounds out his window at a woman as he passed her. I dont remember what set him off. I didn't get the details. That wasn't the hook.
The big story was; she sped up, got the license plate number, and called 911. She didn't realize she'd been shot. She thought she was bleeding from broken glass. She got off at the next exit to assess her situation and meet the ambulance. It turns out she was hit pretty badly. Not life threatening, but enough to keep her in the hospital a day or two.
They caught the guy right away, having his plate numbers and all. Like I said, I didn't pay much attention to the details. I don't remember who or what he was. I just figured he was nuts. You hear about road rage incidents more than seldom around here, in suburban Philly. We aren't noted for being very polite or patient here, either. Most times it's just a fist fight or a ramming. They let the guy out on bail, eventually.
His preliminary hearing was today. They had the shooting victim there, of course; and, they dug up a bunch of other people who had had run-ins with him. They were going to testify about his "bad temper." The guy was sunk. He knew it. They were probably going to lock him up at the hearing, then give him a long haul in the slammer. Driving down the highway shooting at cars because they cut you off or something doesn't sit well with judges. At least I hope they were going to lock him up for awhile.
His lawyer had some scheme to get mercy I'm sure; because the traffic was bad that day, or his mom beat him, something. There are some pretty good lawyers around here. Maybe the guy was on medication; or forgot to take it. With all the 'character witnesses' the D.A dug up, I don't think much would have worked, though.
Well, he didn't show up for the hearing this afternoon. His lawyer had no clue what was going on. Naturally, they sent the cops out to look for him. They went to his house first. That's as far as they'd gotten when I heard it on the radio. I guess we'll hear about it on the news tonight. But, I'm betting he killed himself.
The big story was; she sped up, got the license plate number, and called 911. She didn't realize she'd been shot. She thought she was bleeding from broken glass. She got off at the next exit to assess her situation and meet the ambulance. It turns out she was hit pretty badly. Not life threatening, but enough to keep her in the hospital a day or two.
They caught the guy right away, having his plate numbers and all. Like I said, I didn't pay much attention to the details. I don't remember who or what he was. I just figured he was nuts. You hear about road rage incidents more than seldom around here, in suburban Philly. We aren't noted for being very polite or patient here, either. Most times it's just a fist fight or a ramming. They let the guy out on bail, eventually.
His preliminary hearing was today. They had the shooting victim there, of course; and, they dug up a bunch of other people who had had run-ins with him. They were going to testify about his "bad temper." The guy was sunk. He knew it. They were probably going to lock him up at the hearing, then give him a long haul in the slammer. Driving down the highway shooting at cars because they cut you off or something doesn't sit well with judges. At least I hope they were going to lock him up for awhile.
His lawyer had some scheme to get mercy I'm sure; because the traffic was bad that day, or his mom beat him, something. There are some pretty good lawyers around here. Maybe the guy was on medication; or forgot to take it. With all the 'character witnesses' the D.A dug up, I don't think much would have worked, though.
Well, he didn't show up for the hearing this afternoon. His lawyer had no clue what was going on. Naturally, they sent the cops out to look for him. They went to his house first. That's as far as they'd gotten when I heard it on the radio. I guess we'll hear about it on the news tonight. But, I'm betting he killed himself.
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More commentsIt wasn't a bad article, and you are most likely right, he most likely killed himself, however the police generally aren't at liberty to say until next of kin are notified first, and things are properly taken care of with their investigation. If they are doing their job correctly they would tell you what they did...(or the media...).Thanks for reading and commenting
hopefully he shows up for his justiceHe had to have been nuts, though. Right?
Very gripping. You definitely hooked me with the opening. The body is a good balance of detail and brevity to keep it interesting. Thanks for this. It's a good read.Thanks for reading and commenting, Linda.
Wow, Jack, that is a heck of a punch line! Congratulations on this breaking news article, you definitely win the prize! Thanks, it was a great read.Friend JenniferThanks for reading and commenting. Friend, Jack
Interesting take on the flawed nature of the human condition. Very entertainingThanks for reading and commenting
Interesting form, could see this being fleshed out more fully, although I must say that the premise and the story stand on their own well as it is.Thanks for writing and commenting- just a news blurb.
Good thing he had a gun. If guns were illegal as they should and will be someday, he would have had to thrown a brick - not easy when your driving. Guns are easier. When everyone has a gun, they better not "have a bad day or be off their medicine." Instead of sulking, they will be shooting. Let's hear it for the shills of weapons manufacturers, the NRA .
My god, that is disturbing. It is pretty sad when people are willing to commit harmful acts against others but don't have the balls to stand up and take their punishment. As sad as it is, suicide is the easy way out, I feel for his family.Thanks for reading and commenting
Sad the way our society is today. To think some idiot just starts shooting out on the freeway.Thanks for reading and commenting
Thanks for sharing you thoughts.Thanks for reading and commenting
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