Ever wonder what a life is worth?
You would like to think we would place it above a set of headphones, even a very pricy set.
Then again, maybe not.
I'm still trying to come to grips with the achingly sad story of Christian Massey. He's the "gentle giant" who graduated last year from Marple Newtown High School.
Chris was orphaned and wound up at the Don Guanella School in Marple. From there he was mainstreamed to Marple Newtown High School.
He quickly became a popular part of the MN community, playing both football and basketball.
Police say on the afternoon of Nov. 30, he was accosted as he left a house in West Philly. The robber was intent on taking his Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. They retail for about $300.
Chris did not seek a confrontation. He apparently didn't want to give up his headphones either. I can't blame him.
That decision may have cost him his life. Police say he was gunned down as he tried to flee his attacker.
On Monday, the Marple Newtown community made its way to Hickman Temple AME Church to bid their friend goodbye.
Michael McGowan coached Massey for five years on a Special Olympics basketball team.
"I was so proud of the man he had become. He never let his life be slowed down by the obstacles put in front of him."
But none of those obstacles was packing a gun.
That thought was not lost on Marple Newtown Athletic Director Dennis Reardon.
"The biggest thing about all of this is that no matter the obstacles he overcame, the highest obstacle to overcome is someone with evil in their heart," Reardon said.
While his friends and family were mourning, police were making an arrest. They have charged a 19-year-old. The teen's family gave a TV interview saying he could not have done it, that he was home watching movies at the time of the murder.
I hope they're right.
I'd hate to think that a life is worth less than a nice set of headphones.
That would be an obstacle I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle.
Comments