Gothamist: Helping Others Results in a Beating and a Death

stierney

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:30:04 -0500

Javier, I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Mindnich and Mr. Cruz truly are heroes. There are not enough of us out there doing the right thing. Those who are turning away, running in the other direction, not even calling 911 on another's behalf? What if you were the one who needed help? And your like-minded passerby's did just that? Passed by... Alex and Andrew saved lives that evening. Everyone needs to realize that the more we step up and step in, maybe the less we will have to.

MisterTissue

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:36:20 -0500

#9, who are you, Dwight K. Shrute?

Headzo

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:43:03 -0500

"I never get involved. Screw that. Especially for a broad I don't even know. What's she doing on the street by herself? What's the guy in the Bronx doing fighting a gang?" i probably would not help a random person on the street, especially if i would be in a 2 against 1 situation. better off to just call the authorities. but that dude's brother was getting beaten in the Bronx. you can honestly say you wouldn't go help your brother?

Stacy Horn

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:24:52 -0500

Thank you Andrew Mindnich, wherever you are. (I'm mad at the girl for running away, though.) RIP Alex Cruz.

jaja007

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:10:11 -0500

I never get involved. Screw that. Especially for a broad I don't even know. What's she doing on the street by herself? What's the guy in the Bronx doing fighting a gang? These people were asking for trouble. Not me. I stay away at a safe distance, and observe. I don't even call the police, because they ask you for your name and your phone number (even though they see it on caller ID). Not me. I don't get involved at all!

Kojak

Mon, 05 May 2008 13:01:18 -0500

Polemicist if our society fell into Anarchy, then maybe I would agree with you..

Spiritof76

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:55:01 -0500

V is for Vendetta, P is for Polemicist? I'm just waiting for the commenter with the user name "berniegoetz" to weigh in on this.

rtd2101

Mon, 05 May 2008 12:02:08 -0500

#9: "At the same time, protect the weak and innocent without concern for our justice system" Thanks Batman

Polemicist

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:49:47 -0500

It is always important to remember two things about entering a street fight: 1) Assume all fights are to the death. If your adversary has a weapon and you do not, run. You won't win and might die. If you do engage in a fight, kill or maim your adversary as quickly as possible. Observe no rules or etiquette. Everything is fair game. Go for obvious weak points - the groin, eyes, throat, etc. Leverage your weight if at all possible. If you lack skill at combat, do not be afraid to use your teeth like an animal. Everyone has a strong enough bite to take off a finger, ear, nose, or cause grievous harm to one's neck. 2) With an oppresive legal system and incompetent police, your best course of action if you are victorious in a street fight is to run. Chances are, you will not be caught. If you are caught, a jury will likely believe your fear of the police. That said, never tell the police ANYTHING that is false. The police care little about violent crime, but they do care about vigilante justice, even if it is self defense. The proper response to any police inquiry should be "I have nothing to say". Do NOT say "I don't know" because if they can prove you do know, that is an additional charge against you ("lying to a police officer"). 3) This happened in the most desirable, and internationally recognized neighborhood in New York City in the midst of one of the wealthiest universities in the world. What does this mean? Crime is WAY up. As the economy declines, this kind of activity will become more common. Be smart out there. At the same time, protect the weak and innocent without concern for our justice system.

fakenewyorker

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:44:05 -0500

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/play.shtml?mea=227152

sakebalboa

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:43:08 -0500

On a desolate block on a Saturday night, I once shoved a guy after he made a grab at a girl who just rounded a corner. She was screaming, "leave me alone, get away from me!" After shoving the guy, she grabbed my shoulder and started screaming, "leave him alone, he's with me!" Then I realized they were both really drunk. I apologized to the girl and avoided the guy who was attempting to walk towards me to pay back the shove.

JacqueMehoff

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:21:22 -0500

nyc ain't the burbs. e-heroes gets punked.

matty

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:09:39 -0500

I wish i lived on gay street.

dimshine

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:01:29 -0500

you see? this is why i don't help anyone...ever

babyhitler

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:53:02 -0500

yes I'm telling you man. No good deed goes unpunished. some advice if you are engaging in a fight with punks if you are a dude. Just scream "RAPE!" at the top of your lungs. The guys will be so confused as to why they would be raping your male ass, they'd just flee instead of fight.

Muscley Armed Paper Boy

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:49:20 -0500

F'ing animals...mad props to Mr. Mindnich. Urban youths are such scum, it's funny when they kill each other but not adults.

zodak

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:43:32 -0500

no good deed goes unpunished. at least the girl in the 1st situation got away, which was the goal, & those guys got arrested.