Atlanta Hawks forward Shelden Williams was carjacked this weekend in Atlanta in broad daylight. The teenagers who stole his car, both 18, banged it up in their later efforts to rob holiday shoppers.
I'm not trying to blame the victim, but this is another one of those things in which people with money (athletes or not) have to realize that you can't do everything that regular people do. I would be willing to bet the kids didn't know who he was and just decided to take his car because it was probably really nice. I just read today that Atlanta has the most bank robberies of any city in the country, and banks are only open during the day, so brazen crimes like this are occurring with some disturbing frequency.
Tty be aware of your surroundings and take the appropriate precautions, no matter who you are. Hopefully stories like these will remind people everywhere that it's a tough world these days, and anyone can be a target - unfortunately, especially at Christmastime - so take extra care as you go about your day.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Hawks' Williams Carjacked Before Game
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4 comments:
As difficult as it is to agree with the notion that athletes can't do "what normal people do." On some level I agree; Jamal staying out til 3 with a Rolls, a Mercedes, and another car at a club--not the smartest move. However, getting a haircut in broad daylight is not the activity that would nor should give anyone pause, regardless of stature. I'm not in favor of oppressive police presence, however, on some level, that acts as a deterrence. Big-name athletes are entitled to the same protections that "normal" citizens are, irrespective of their wallet size. Now, if you make the argument that they have put themselves in the public sphere and must bear those consequences, I can follow that logic. However, that applies to photos, autographs, and late nights at clubs/strip clubs. Next we're going to have someone get robbed at McDonald's breakfast and say, "We'll they shouldn't have been in the drive-thru." Message: athletes, stay at home, get a live in barber, chef, and stripper and you'll be safe. Wait, unless you live in Palmetto Bay.
True enough. Yes, public sphere, you have to carry yourself differently. Just be aware, and take some goons with you when you step out. Goons who look like your friends so that no one is trying to test you.
It's impossible to avoid every harm that may come your way, athlete or not, but simply being cautious accounts for a lot.
At least we know that our country isn't any different than anywhere else in the world!
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From espn.com:
"MOSCOW -- Russian tennis star Anna Chakvetadze was tied up by masked robbers who broke into her home Tuesday and stole money and goods worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, her father said. Six assailants approached the home outside Moscow before dawn, tied up a maid in another building and forced her to hand over a remote control enabling them to enter the house through the garage, Dzhamal Chakvetadze told NTV television."
You beat me to my post tonight! :-)
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