Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Teenagers Light 15-Year-Old on Fire Over $40

Jeremy Jarvis, 13 (L) and his brother Denver Colorado Jarvis, 15, via Miami Herald.
What has the world turned into? A group of five Broward County, FL teenagers lit another 15-year-old on fire, burning 80% of his body. The reason cited was revenge: money owed ($40) for a video game and the thwarted theft of the victim's father's bike.

The victim is Michael Brewer, 15. The accused, all about the same age as Brewer, are Michael Bent, 15; Denver Colorado Jarvis, 15; his brother Jeremy Jarvis, 13; Steven Shelton, 15; and Jesus Mendez, 15.

Brewer owed Bent the money for the video game. The attempted theft of Brewer's father's bicycle was in retaliation, but failed, and both boys were absent from school. Brewer feared retaliation; Bent stayed home after his stint in juvenile detention.

The incident took place at the Lime Street Apartments at 429 SE 13th Ct. where Brewer went to see a friend. All five of the other boys were there as well, and after opportunistically grabbing a bottle of rubbing alcohol that they found along a wall, Bent gave the order: "Pour it on him. Pour it on him."

Denver Jarvis poured the alcohol on Brewer, and Mendez used a lighter to set Brewer on fire. Because of his actions in the incident, Mendez has been charged with second degree attempted murder; all 5 boys are charged with aggravated battery.

What's worse is that Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) spokesperson Sgt. Steve Feeley said that remorse was not generally felt among the 5: "A couple of them last night were laughing about it," he said Tuesday.

A still unanswered question: why do kids resort to this type of behavior? While definitely not common, it's also not rare. Why not simply go to the parents of the person you felt "offended" you?
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