I've reported on some heinous and heartless crimes over my career, but this is one of the cruelest.
Earlier this month, 15-year-old Alex Arellano's brutalized body was found in a gangway on the Southwest Side. He had been beaten, burned and shot in the head.
This morning Chicago Police announced the arrest of another 15-year-old in the excessively brutal slaying. So now it appears that two young lives have been destroyed.
While the arrest brings some relief to Arellano's family members, his uncle, Juan Tirado, says they remain consumed by many questions. Why did this happen to the Arellano? And who would torture a person in this kind of manner?
Tirado also says that they continue to pray for both boys, but they will never be able to forgive his alleged killer.
I have to ask myself (or anyone who has an answer): How could any human inflict such severe violence on another?
And if the police have arrested the correct culprit, what possesses a teenager to commit such an act?
Comments (5)
these are the last days the evil spirits of the universe are corrupting the minds an lifestyles of our youth. the young man who says he is responsible for this crime was okay with being responsible because he was told that he was a minor an he would be okay (we are going to take care of you, you take the wrap an dont worry about anything) babies killing babies our youth is bein misguided the love they want at home is not collective an they get it from there street mothers an fathers they take care of them an the babies listen to them thats all they got since they are too old to commit a crime an serve the time they send out the pawns(babies) to do the dirt.
I pray that the creator of this universe retains the souls& minds of those who are still corrupted, bless the heavy hearts of the lost souls and families these are the last days they are evil an without glory unless we change our mission to support our love ones communities, the children r our future an they are vanishing so the future isnt so bright without them.
I will continue to mentor love and care for the lost souls i come in contact with an for those i do not i send a prayer of hope
i hope this world u live in loves u for u
i hope u understand that life is not yours to destroy
i hope the positive thoughts outway the negative
i hope you know ur life is as precious as anyone else
i hope that when you cry the creator dries your tears leaving you with feelings of happiness clarity
i hope that u can continue to add to this prayer of hope
may the creator bless everyone in the world
Posted by concerned | May 29, 2009 11:48 AM
Posted on May 29, 2009 11:48
To the single mother....
You said it well...as i said the same thing.
Posted by Anonymous | May 28, 2009 3:51 PM
Posted on May 28, 2009 15:51
It is time for parents/legal guardians to take responsibilty for their children. On many occassions I have seen young children out in the streets as young as 7 years old hustling. What parent would allow a child to leave the block without permission. Stop trying to be your child's friend and be a parent! Parents must also stop the blame game (it's the schools fault, the police are not doing their jobs, the politians are not helping). Parents must first understand their role and set boundaries for these children. But if the mother is bringing no good men around her children and her focus is now shifted from being a mother to getting laid perhaps some of these children can be saved from the corrupted influence of the streets. And like the mother the father too have to man up and be the father he suppose to be.
Until parents start taking charge of their child's life things are only going to get worst. Stop blaming everyone for things that are going wrong in your household. Stop using that poor excuse of being a single parent. I raised three sons without any involvement of their father. I did not allow no running the streets, went to the schools and got to know the teachers, and made them understand that I run this house and not them. By the grace of God I success raised three responsible young men. Don't get me wrong it was hard work and I put aside my personal life to ensure that they were brought up to be somebody. The police, teachers, nor politians are responisble you as a parent is total responsible. So stop with the poor excuses and step up to the plate and the be parent you are suppose to be
Posted by mjl | May 28, 2009 3:30 PM
Posted on May 28, 2009 15:30
You know the question you have asked, will never be answered. My prayers are with the killer too. There must have not been any and I mean any attention given to this "child killer". Everyone keeps commenting on the victim, but no one seems to see the what this other child did. Is that right? Who was Martinez's roll model? Where were his parents? Where did he learn how to kill? You know...if we have children walking around taking control over our neighborhoods, then I say, we as parents have lost control. And its time we get it back. For those who read this and are old schooled, did you getting spanked by your parent hurt, or make you a better person? I'm sorry, but when i did wrong, I wasnt beaten, but spanked, and it sure made me a better person. Now these laws, make us criminals by putting our foot down. What is this world comming too!
Posted by Anonymous | May 28, 2009 2:02 PM
Posted on May 28, 2009 14:02
I'm happy that they caught this young man, but I do believe he had help and they need to continue their search. I'm so tired of hearing about all these killing. Communities and parents needs to come together and figure out a solution. What happen to all the summer jobs programs and recreations centers. I know they kept us busy when I was younger
Posted by Dee | May 28, 2009 2:02 PM
Posted on May 28, 2009 14:02