Murdered

Here is an article clip of recent events in my hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan.

A Battle Creek man was critically injured Saturday when he was beaten in what might have started as a road rage incident, Emmett Township police said.

The victim, Shane Parker, 30, was taken to Battle Creek Health System by Lifecare Ambulance and later transferred to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Police said late Saturday he remained in very critical condition.

Police said one of two suspects in the incident turned himself about an hour later, was questioned and arrested. Police were searching for a second man, Patrick J. McKeever, 33, of Ceresco.

Anyone with information about McKeever is asked to call Silent Observer at 964-3888.

Several witnesses to the incident also were being questioned, police said.

The assault was reported at 4:04 p.m. at Emmett Street near Dick Street, two blocks east of Raymond Road. Emmett Township Department of Public Safety Director Frank Post said three 911 calls first reported a hit and run accident, then that someone was being chased in a vehicle and finally that a man was down on the side of the road.

Two women in a Jeep were eastbound and told officers they saw Parker stagger from the yard at 946 Emmett St. and into the road. The women stopped their vehicle and the man fell onto the hood of the Jeep and then fell to the pavement.

The incident might have started as a road rage dispute east of where Parker was found but police said the victim of the beating was not originally involved. Parker apparently was injured during a confrontation near where he was found.

Lt. Tony Geigle said witnesses have told officers that everyone involved in the incident knows each other.

The two suspects fled westbound in a vehicle after the incident and Emmett police issued a broadcast to other police agencies to begin searching for the men.

Police said Parker was beaten with fists and a weapon was not believed used. Calhoun County sheriff deputies were assisting.

Trace Christenson can be reached at 966-0685 or tchrist@battlecr.gannett.com.

The followup story to this ends like this: Shane died of his injuries 10hours later in the hospital, leaving behind a girlfriend who is the mother of his 3 daughters.

I do not know how to express my feeling over this in words, as it could be misinterpreted by some. You see, I used to go to school with Shane- starting in Kindergarten. He was my hero. And I think I might have been his only friend besides Jimmy, who passed away several years ago now too. Shane was the kind of kid who got a bad wrap for his older brothers' bad behavior and so everyone saw him through a dirty lense so to speak. And because of all the adults in his life looking down on him and always expecting the worst, he gave it to them with a passion. He was exactly what you saw. The adults saw trouble; I saw a friend who would fight for you till the end; someone who wasn't afraid to be sad with you or put in a lot of effort to make you happy- but only if he liked you. ; ) I think he was the precursor to my obsession for passionate, ambitious men.

He had a hard life growing up, but in no way do I believe this ever gives people a reason to make bad choices themselves- it only explains that they're continuing the cycle of what they've been taught. I'd much rather see them break the reckless chain and make something of themselves-- if only to prove to others that they're better than what everyone else thought of them at one point...

I think Shane did this in some ways-- he stuck with his family as some certain others had not.... he had a softness to his voice and manner that you could tell there was gold underneath; he was a kind person in some ways, but he had an untameable temper, attitude, maybe even paranoia and distrust so inset in him that you just knew his life would be short and end in this violent sort of manner. Thus it was no surprise to me to hear the news, but I am still frustrated that he never came around to the 'good' side of life. I had always secretly had high hopes for him.

In some ways maybe this is a good thing, giving the mother of his children a chance to be raised without the violent moods and harsh, uncaring attitude and provide them with a more stable environment. This is definately a blessing in disguise. I just hope she will take every opportunity this life change has offered her and make her life better and especially make the girls' lives better for it.

Maybe they will remember Shane thru a rose-colored glass, masking the blemishes and be satisfied enough to know that because of him they exist in this world, and I prayerfully ask God that they will find this world full of His glory and grace instead of the violence and frustration so many others find instead.