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Malissa Durkee holds a framed photo of her brother Michael Brewer as she talks to a reporter in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. Five teenagers were charged with aggravated battery Tuesday for dousing a 15-year-old with rubbing alcohol and setting him on fire because he stopped someone from stealing his father's bicycle, authorities said. Michael Brewer was hospitalized with burns on more than three-quarters of his body after the attack at a Deerfield Beach apartment complex Monday. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) |
A 15-year-old Florida boy, Michael Brewer, was set on fire by his classmates in a violent, vengeful attack. Today, Michael Brewer’s mother, Valerie Brewer, spoke with CNN and CBS’ the Early Show and delivered an emotional, grief-stricken plea to end violence.
“People really need to wake up and see what is going on with this generation. They need to take hold of our children and really do something. The violence across our nation, across our world with our children is getting stronger and stronger, and we need to stop it now so this doesn't happen…doesn't happen to somebody else, or something worse. It's just unimaginable. Please, everybody out there, take a hold of your children. Love them. Love everybody's children and let them know that these things are not right. Violence doesn't solve anything, ” Valerie Brewster said.
Burned over 65 percent of his body, five classmates have been charged with the violent attack. The suspects range in age between 13 and 15 years old. The accused are suspected of dousing Michael’s body with rubbing alcohol then setting him on fire. The case is being handled by the Broward County Sheriff’s office.
Reports state that Michael Brewer owed one of the suspects $40.00 for a video game. He failed to pay the money and one of the accused, Matthew Bent, attempted to steal a bike from Michael Brewer’s father in return. The bike was customized and worth approximately $500.00. The Broward County Sheriff’s Department was notified and Matthew Bent was arrested. It is believed that Michael Brewer was set on fire in revenge for Matthew Bent’s arrest.
The five individuals charged with the crime include Matthew Bent (15), Denver Jarvis (15), Jeremy Jarvis (13), Jesus Mendez (15), and Steve Shelton (15). It is possible that the fifteen year olds will be tried as adults. The boys are charged with aggravated battery and Jesus Mendez, who is the one accused of flicking the lighter and igniting Michael Brewer, faces attempted murder charges.
Michael Brewer is expected to spend several months in the hospital. Dr. Nicholas Namias of Jackson Memorial Hospital spoke with CNN and described Michael’s condition and care. He stated that the most difficult aspect of Michael’s condition has only begun. He described the ailments associated with sever burn patients and said that after several days the body begins to develop extreme problems: such as extreme swelling in the kidneys and lungs. Dr. Namias stated that Michael had burns covering between 65 and 80 percent of his body. In addition to the medical challenges facing Michael, Dr. Namias also described the psychological hurdles Michael will face.
Dr. Namias said that when burn patients come to, and begin to realize the circumstances surrounding them, they are at high risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and often suffer flashbacks, nightmares, and suffer from clinical depression. As of now, Michael Brewer is being kept heavily sedated and has been unable to respond or speak to those around him. The pain that he is in is far too great for doctors to allow him to remain in an alert state.
The 911 call was released today: it is horrific and extremely painful to listen to, as Michael's bloodcurdling screams are heard in the background.
Click here to listen to the 911 call
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Comments
Is this a race crime?
Interesting questions Joni. Hate-crime laws are a smart way to protect innocent citizens.
It's not a race crime, it's just a few boys who are very disturbed who set a kid on fire just because of a freaking video game. What the heck is wrong with people today? I hope they get tried as adults. If a teenager can do something this disgusting and tragic to another person, they need to be looked upon as adults. Their parents need to really think about what they did wrong to create such horrible, heartless young people.
Parents created these heartless young people? Why is it that when a young person does something wrong, it is instantly their parents fault? Maybe, it was the boys that did something wrong! I know a drug addict now in his 40's, his parents are broke after YEARS of rehab, counseling, more rehab, etc. They have done everything and spent every dime they had trying to straighten him out since BEFORE he was 15, is it their fault he is a drug addict??
its seems that its only a hate crime if the the person perpatrating the crime is white, if it were the other way around all of your favorite shows on tv would be interupted by al sharpton and jesse jackson demanding swift justice but since the victom is perpatrators are not all white its just misguided youth!
I can't believe how violent this world is today! Parents, why aren't you teaching your kids right from wrong? Just because there not 5 anymore, doesn't mean they know right from wrong! These are young boys being arrested for a long time! There lives are ruined, they completly smashed their future into a billion peices, and it's pretty much impossible to put it back! This isn't a race crime, this just proves how some teens are really not being watched by there parents. Michael Brewer your always in my thoughts :)
I give my love to Michael Brewers family and friends!
XO
Sadly, this is only the latest horrendous crime story out of Florida. What an accursed state. Perhaps a global tourist boycott would set them straight.
If I was the parent I would be outraged and make sure every year that I would post an updated photo so everyone always knows who these boys are. The only hope that these young boys have of growing up and not being recognized after a time would not happen. I would stay on top of this till the day I die. Then we'll see how they like it when people know who they are every where they go for the rest of their life.I am outraged at what these boys did to that poor child and the family. What goes around comes around. Their time will come.
I know lots of people think that these little "thugs" can be rehabilitated but wake up people, they are evil little sociopaths to be able to do something this horrific! They should all be tied to stakes and set on fire in the center of town for everyone to see and the one who actually lit the fire should be saved for last so he has to hear the screams and see the agony of the others. MAYBE this would deter some of these evil little basterds from committing such violence without a second thought. What the hell is going on is this country?? Oh and I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe that the parents of these kids are upstanding members of society. They are probably no good thugs too. Something has to be done about the lack of parenting and subsequent violence going on...it is absolutely disgusting. If this were my child, you can bet that the scum that did this AND the parents would not get off easily and they sure as hell would NEVER sleep easy EVER again!!!
just a sickening sickening story. i feel bad for the parents of those children. this poor kid's life will be forever changed. we live in an evil evil world. if things don't change man will destroy today's society.i can understand and appreciate that some people don't want children. who wants to bring a child up in such a messed up society. one day we will be all judged and looked apon by our creator. i pray for that poor innocent victom of such pure evilness.
It wasn't a hate crime, there were 1 black, 3 WHITES, and 1 Latino, so it couldn't be a hate crime
We don't use the death penalty enough...give these kids the DC sniper treatment.
have them all shot
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