Justice?
By unum civis
Bring back the death penalty! A few years in prison is pathetic. He was a good kid. What justice?
Wilde remembered in vigil at Shirl’s Drive-In
BY MATTHEW OLSON
molson@kenoshanews.com
The scene at Shirl’s Drive-In on July 26, 2009, was one of confusion, sadness and tragedy as robbers entered the building and shot two employees, killing 18-year-old Robert W. Wilde.
One year later, the building was host to a remembrance and celebration of the young man lost that night.
About 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at Shirl’s, 7943 Sheridan Road.
It was about that time of night a year ago when a group of men attempted to rob the business and shot Wilde, a cook and a student at Indian Trail Academy, and James Hagelund, the 42-year-old manager of the store. Wilde died at the scene that night. Hagelund survived his wounds.
The crowd that gathered around the custard stand Monday night included Wilde’s family and friends, co-workers of those affected by the shooting, police officers and other members of the community.
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Friends hugged. Tears were shared. Laughs were heard while people caught up with each other.
Wilde was remembered as a positive, encouraging and vibrant youth.
“Robbie was just indescribable,” said Jenny Connolly, a former co-worker of Wilde and Hagelund’s. “Every nice thing that you heard about him was true and more.”
Ryan Seleski was friends with Wilde during middle school and said his memories of Wilde are still with him.
“He was a good guy.” Seleski said. “He never was an angry person. He just lived each day in a positive way. It’s a sad thing.”
Four arrested
The robbery and shooting led to an extensive search for suspects.
Four men — Julian J. Miller, Jose A. Leon-Nava, Daniel Gonzalez, and Justin Condroski — have been arrested in connection to the shooting. Leon-Nava awaits sentencing on his plea deal, while the other men still face trials.
Focus on Wilde
Monday’s focus, though, was on the young man lost from those actions.
The large crowd signed a banner with Wilde’s picture stating, “Our memories of you will live on,” while candles were lit throughout the crowd. A slide show of Wilde’s photos was projected onto a screen, with the presentation referring to Wilde as an “angel on Earth.”
As the presentation ended, the crowd stood in silence, candles lit, reflecting on Wilde as cars drove by. A prayer was spoken, and then Tammy Wilde, Robbie’s mother, thanked all those who gathered and who have helped the family over the last year.
“I’m so proud of what Robbie meant to everyone,” Tammy Wilde said. “We’re very happy for the support from everyone, every day.”
Wilde’s family and friends then received hugs from those gathered with them as they prepared for the next year of their lives.
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meh.
By The New Geor
Courts are too slow.... laws are too lenient... prisons have revolving door systems.... the whole system needs work. Maybe it's time to center on what starts the careers of pathetic criminals like this? I could guarantee that they lived with a parent who didn't give a crap about them except for the state check they would garner.... they ran the streets with no one keeping track of them. And no one ever taught them simple things like "Don't touch what's not yours". "Don't hurt other people" "Work hard to earn what you've got... you're not owed anything" "Don't be a jerk". Look around in our community. We still have people having kids for the financial benefit (free rent, food card, an excuse not to work) who shouldn't be raising a goldfish much less a child. A child without proper guidance is a ticking time bomb. What they learn is from other criminals. Let's stop the "everything is free" ideas and make people work for everything. When they learn values and morals, they learn respect for others. Including the value of life.
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