Honor Student Murdered In Gang Melee

I saw this on as part of the trending "Stop the Violence" topic on Twitter today; the death of 16-year old Derrion Albert, an honor roll student at suburban Chicago's Fenger High School, was captured on this grisly video of a free-for-all gang fight that was originally meant to be between two warring cliques.

Dozens of students watched as Albert, who appeared to be trying to break up the fight, was pummeled with fists after being blindsided by a crushing blow to the skull with an enormous 2x4.

From my limited knowledge of head injuries, I would say Albert probably died of brain edema as a result of the blunt force trauma inflicted by the wooden 2x4 and the ensuing punches. In other words, Albert's brain swelled to the point of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome, a fatal clotting disorder that is often the cause of death among victims of serious head injuries.

This tragic death of an innocent casualty to gang violence is seen far too often and is a microcosm of the grim reality that is gang life. To date only three assailants have been caught in connection with the attack. All three have been charged with first-degree murder. Rest In Peace Derrion Albert.

[Link: GlobalGrind]