The consequences of crime go beyond the criminal

BY SYDNEE WALCOTT

Time in prison is the most common consequence for someone who has committed a crime, but that’s not the only consequence one can face.

On March 7^th, 2023, 21-year-old Genesis Escobar was shot and killed while attempting to rob someone in Chicago, Illinois.

Escobar, who was seven months pregnant, entered a car to complete a drug deal and attempted to rob those inside the vehicle. An exchange of gunfire erupted, and Escobar was hit in the shoulder, back, and hand.

A passenger removed her body from the vehicle, placed it on the sidewalk, and dumped money on her before the driver sped off.

Escobar’s unnamed boyfriend, who waited outside the vehicle, allegedly grabbed some cash and fled the area.

Witnesses went outside to find Escobar’s body and helped her before being rushed to the hospital.

Escobar was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her unborn child, a baby girl, also didn’t survive.

No arrests have been made in the case yet.

It’s sad that a young woman and an unborn child both lost their lives. I also have sympathy for her family. However, I’d be lying if I said the intended victims did not have every right to defend themselves.

Just a few weeks before Escobar’s death, Ali Mian, 22, shot and killed an intruder who broke into his home and attacked his mother in Milton, Ontario.

The suspect, 21-year-old Alexander Amoroso-Leacock, was pronounced dead at the scene. 20-year-old Romario Clarke was arrested at the scene and charged with breaking and entering along with unauthorized firearm possession.

Three other suspects fled the scene.

Mian is currently out on bail and charged with second-degree murder.

Many people feel Mian should not have any charges pressed against him, and I agree with that.

People deserve to feel safe in their homes, and the suspects attempted to rob Mian and his mother of that safety. So Mian (a registered firearm owner) defended his mother and their home.

Although I do not promote gun violence, people have every right to defend themselves and their property when being victimized.

I hope people will take both situations as a lesson and understand that incarceration is not always the only consequence of committing a crime. If a suspect involves themselves in an illegal activity and loses their life, unfortunately, it is the toughest life lesson they will ever learn.