Vigil Tonight for Student Slain in Mistaken Identity Stabbing

Glen Wright

Devastating: Police have told the family of a 21-year-old East Harlem man that he was fatally stabbed in the neck Saturday evening at the Lower East Side Baruch Houses because of mistaken identity. Glen Wright, who by all accounts was a beloved young man enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community College, was there helping his grandmother clean her windows. He was getting a breath of fresh air when a gang looking for revenge for an earlier attack approached from behind, and one man plunged a knife into the back of his neck. His grandmother, Lummie Wright, tells the Daily News, "He was running for his life. He made it all the way to the front door and they chased him [and] they stabbed him once more."

Wright's father Peter witnessed his son's murder, and tackled one of the suspects after a chase. He tells the News, "I saw guys running and I ran after them. Then I saw my son. He was at the right place at the wrong time. He lost so much blood." Suspect Joel Herrera, 20, was arraigned on murder charges, and told detectives he confused Wright with someone who assaulted one of his friends. Wright died at Bellevue Sunday afternoon; a vigil will be held tonight at 5 p.m. the East Harlem Tutorial Program, where Wright worked and volunteered.

According to his family, Wright spent most of his time caring for his 14-year-old brother, who has Down syndrome; his mother died several years ago. In High School, Wright had distinguished himself by participating in an after-school robotics team that went to the national finals. His teacher tells the Times, "In this profession, you’re not supposed to have favorites, but he was probably my favorite." Jeff Ginsburg, executive director of the East Harlem Tutorial Program, adds, "He was just one of these guys who was so caring. I know it’s cliché to say it, but everyone loved him."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on September 15, 2009 3:00 PM

Comments [rss]

rserenity

On behalf of the Glenn Wright family we just want you all to know we are aware of your concern and reading your messages. We appreciate everyone's support. Our brother was as phenomenal as described and he will be missed. We intend to keep his legacy alive and thriving through various humanitarian and community support efforts. At this time EHTP is designated as the official trustee and representatives on behalf of the "Glenn Wright Fund." Please direct all of your inquiries or contributions to them.

www.ehtp.org

212-831-0650

Thank you from the entire family

snowblind

Hang them and leave their bodies to rot in the streets.

Kim Bong Ill

Remind me again why we don't have corporal punishment.

Loulou

Rest In Peace Glen Wright

PTG in nyc

NannyState is a witty, sarcastic, and always hilarious mofo. Mr. Wright's eyes certainly had me (not to mention his kind heart), but NannyState's reaction says it all. This boils my blood and makes me want to hire the Boondock Saints to get rid of these ghetto trash pieces of shit.

My blood boils even more thinking about the fact that this POS will get 5-7 years max. I hope he gets raped hard and dies in prison. Drug offenders deserve second chances, not violent criminals.

laisla

I agree Eternal Sunshine. What a tragic, senseless loss.

Eternal Sunshine

This is so unfair. So unfair. Glen, to your beloved family: we sit with you on the mourning bench. We are sorry you have lost this beautiful part of your lives. I, too, can't stop crying about this... It seems that no course of action can set this right; his death seems so hauntingly final.

To the justice system: nothing you do will ever make this right, we can't bring Glen back. But the closest we get, in this lifetime, to affirming the value of this young man's life, is to prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Do what you must.

NannyState

I just wish some billionaire would get the gifted, the talented, and the promising out of these ghetto shitholes. I hate these stories and I hate the fact that all that will come of this is more of the same.

Jen S

If only we had a billionaire mayor to fix all our problems...

mihow

Like some of the others, just looking at this gentleman's eyes has me in tears. What a kind looking person.

I hate this story and I hope that his family finds peace somehow, somewhere.

Perhaps some idiot thug gets wind this story and thinks twice about committing a similar, senseless act. Maybe (hoping?) something good can come out of this if only in the name of Mr. Wright.

RIP sweet man. So sad.

bts220

RIP Mr Wright Funny how dont see crime stats in the paper everyday like you did a few years ago when crime was actually going down. Murder and Violent Crimes have skyrocketed this year. Checkout the gothamist newsmap everyday there is minimum 10-12 killing stabbings a day in the Safest Big City in the Country. Mayor Bloomturd and will be at Vigil tonight...NOT

db

RIP Mr. Wright

Rocknrope

It's stories like this that make me realize why I'm so misanthropic. People, by and large, suck, and the few good ones usually get killed.

Reflect

This one doesn't get to me you must not hear of ALL the senseless crimes. Because since I been reading News Daily in this city innocents die quite frequently. This is why I would rather just waste my money away in a safer place than stay in a hole like harlem. Those people are crazy up there Im sorry but clean up your damn streets and your kids. Its sad but a reality.

And I so agree with them being seen and treated as terrorists Its the same damn mindset. Its just on people and not a country does it make it any less? Patriotic Bull.

Clickety-Clickety Clack

Yeah, but he was killed on the LES, not Harlem. Maybe public housing is the issue here?

huacatela

of all the years i've lived here, and of all the instances of senseless crime i've heard about, this one gets to me. many condolences to his family and friends, i'll be at the vigil.

babyhitler

another example of Their children will kill your children. When their is rampant teenage pregnancies resulting in unwanted feral children this pathology is the end result.

sexisicilian

Poor baby, RIP. This is so sad. What a horrible way for this young man to die. My deepest condolences to Glen Wright's family.

theevilone

It's so sad that a nice young man was taken by a piece of trash. I hope there is a shiv in prison with Mr. Herrera's name on it.

Vertigone

Don't waste your time praying or going to church. We are spinning in a godless universe. It is clear.

fuboy

"The first thing you have to do is get mad."

Just shrugging and saying 'that's the way it is' won't change a damn thing and tragedy like this will continue to repeat itself.

News like this should never stir anyone to complacency, but the exact opposite.

Vertigone

I didn't say "that's the way it is". I said there is no god. I don't get the connection you're drawing.

Clickety-Clickety Clack

Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking. Those kind eyes don't lie. RIP and blessings his family.

CR

You'll notice that Wright's Grandma didn't have to state what a good boy her grandson was... His good deeds stated that clearly.

Hopefully Herrera, his family, and anyone else involved in this will now be financially responsible for the care of Wright's brother. Also, may Herrera die a horrible death.

babyhitler

I heard Al Sharpton was going to lead the protest against these criminals. .... PSIKE!

mrguy

incredibly sad. i sure hope they get this Herrera perp to roll on the rest of his buddies. they all deserve to fry for this.

fuboy

I really hate news stories where the youth, tragically cut down too soon, really was a good person and hard-working student. RIP Glen Wright.

And to the good, hard-working people of the city I say this: learn martial arts. Career criminals and punks will attack and/or kill you for no justifiable reason - be prepared to fight back.

rebelbelle

May god bless you and your family, Mr. Wright. May their suffering at the loss of you be alleviated by the kindness you carried. I hope that your rest is in the deepest of peace.

Wza

This story really bothers me.

RIP

JenChungsBaby

"I thought he was a guy who beat up one of my friends."

Oh, so THAT would have made it OK to kill him. Now I get it.

tolu1973

Once again, these animals are terrorists. Gang members need to be tried as terrorists. Gang members cause more fear and death in our city than any group in the world. Terror raids in Queens yesterday resulted in... that's right, nothing, No bombs, no guns. You want to find some terrorists, go to the projects. I will never understand how ass-backwards our legal system is: arresting innocent Muslims for being a suspected terrorist while real (probably non-Muslim) terrorists rule our streets, kill innocent people and often get away with it.

5borough

RIP. Very Sad.

I'm sure all the usual suspects (Sharpton, Barron, Rangel, etc) will be missing at the vigil for a good guy.

DanielJ

Another senseless loss of life. You can tell a lot about someone by looking into their eyes. From that pic you can tell he was a good guy.

shugababe192

"You can tell a lot about someone by looking into their eyes. From that pic you can tell he was a good guy. "

I was thinking the same thing.

I am looking at his picture and tears are coming to my eyes.

He seemed like a beautiful person.

RIP, Glen Wright.