[Cliffie]

I stumbled across this story on the NPR news site, but it is maddeningly free of useful details. Why on earth would 50 people attack a man on a bike? Did he even live? Why would a break in the freezing weather make it more likely that he would be attacked (apart from the fact that nobody would go out on a bike in 15 degree weather)? What was this about!?

Does anyone know more?

[wagonproject]

I saw it on the news last night. There was a gentleman who owns a restaurant close by who saw it happen talking about it. They said it was a group of young kids, as young as 12. Like you said, it was the nice weather that had them all out and "wild" if you'll say. The gentleman was mentally ill I believe. They said he rides his bike to his moms house on the North side.

Edit -

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says that a man was assaulted by a large group of males Tuesday evening.



Officers responded to a report of a man down in the area of Frank St. and N. Westnedge Ave. around 6:45 Tuesday evening and found the victim, a 50-year-old Kalamazoo man, unconscious and lying in the street in the 400 block of W. Frank.



After interviewing witnesses, police learned that the victim was accosted by a large group (40-50 individuals according to witnesses) of males, believed to be teens, as he rode his bike down the street. Witnesses say that some of the group knocked the victim from his bike and began beating him. The victim was struck in the head with a bottle and then kicked and punched as he lay in the street. The victim's bicycle was stolen, but later recovered on Ada St.



The victim was transported to Bronson Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which include contusions, lacerations and apparent closed-head injuries. As of Tuesday night, the victim was still unconscious. No suspects have been identified.



Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault, or has information regarding the identity of those responsible to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

[funymann]

I'm telling you it is Michigan!!!!

That place is crazy! Flint is on the top for most violent city. Then Detroit is up there too. Now Kalamazoo!?!

I think the weather does have something to do with it. There is no sun and it is cold for 8 months. Hated it!!!!!!!!!!

[Bryan29]

punks. They are all going to live miserable lives as adults.

[xlabel]

I too saw it on the news last nite, disgusting pieces of crap attacking that guy like that. It takes an especially pathetic kind of coward to do thier evil deeds in a mass group like that. I don't ever walk in that area but I've driven through there plenty of times, it's a good route to avoid traffic and get to Northbound Bus 131. Punks like that is exactly why I keep a 3' foot breakerbar and a boxcutter on the front floorboard at all times.

[DirtyMc19]

Incredible... If my dad had ever found out I did something like that when I was younger he would have beat the bejesus out of me to show me what that guy felt like.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by funymann

I'm telling you it is Michigan!!!!

That place is crazy! Flint is on the top for most violent city. Then Detroit is up there too. Now Kalamazoo!?!

I think the weather does have something to do with it. There is no sun and it is cold for 8 months. Hated it!!!!!!!!!!

Get a grip, you can find this kind of thing in any state regardless of the weather. I heard the same thing when I lived in Texas and they blamed how hot it was.

Cold for 8 months, where were you? No place close to me I can assure you. It is cold for about 4 months, very warm/hot for 2 and perfect weather for 6.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by xlabel

I too saw it on the news last nite, disgusting pieces of crap attacking that guy like that. It takes an especially pathetic kind of coward to do thier evil deeds in a mass group like that. I don't ever walk in that area but I've driven through there plenty of times, it's a good route to avoid traffic and get to Northbound Bus 131. Punks like that is exactly why I keep a 3' foot breakerbar and a boxcutter on the front floorboard at all times.

Yeah, but you don't carry those to defend yourself against 12-year-olds, normally, do you!?

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by funymann

I'm telling you it is Michigan!!!!

That place is crazy! Flint is on the top for most violent city. Then Detroit is up there too. Now Kalamazoo!?!

I think the weather does have something to do with it. There is no sun and it is cold for 8 months. Hated it!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, that's why I live in an area with probably the most snow and cold in all of Michigan and crime is all but non-existent.

I'm sorry you were miserable. Accept that the problem lay with you and not the state. Enjoy Tennessee. Certainly no social problems in Memphis or Nashville... absurd.

[xlabel]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

Yeah, but you don't carry those to defend yourself against 12-year-olds, normally, do you!?

12, 18,25,35,65, one thug, two thugs, 50...... forged steel doesn't discriminate