Parents of Charlotte teen killed in mall shooting speak out

[philosslayer]

Westbrook's parents admit he got in trouble with the law when he was younger for at least one break-in but said he was getting his life together.

"My son was a good boy. He was loving, caring, loved people, loved the kids, everybody adored my son," Juan Westbrook said.

They said he graduated high school a year early and was already a student at Gaston Community College, hoping to work in construction while rapping on the side.

"He’s very respectful. He's a loving person. He'll give you his last," Westbrook’s mother, Sheana Shirley, said.


http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/exclusive-parents-armed-teen-killed-northlake-mall/nprcr/

[Kalidurga]

1. Really

I don't know of people trying to get their lives together that carry a gun and pull it on a police officer. This is just too much. I understand they are mourning the loss of their son. He has a child on the way. But, this is not just a boo boo a tiny set back in trying to get things together. It was a deliberate action and it led to him being shot in a shoe store.

[JanMichael]

2. so the gun in the waistband photo was an oldie?

i do not buy this. i believe in growing up but how old were the offences and what is up with th gun fetish?

[pipoman]

15. Guns are part of a larger gangsta fetish...

[linuxman]

3. My God.

Seems as if the only people killed doing criminal shit these days were "Just getting their life back together".

Odd.

[LuvNewcastle]

13. That's exactly why I'm not getting

my life together. I'm afraid the police might find out, and then I'll have to start packing.

[exboyfil]

4. Really getting his life back together

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article51605850.html

"Westbrook also faced trial on felony counts from incidents in April, September and October, including charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, possessing a weapon on educational property, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, and aiding and abetting larceny. And he faced trial on several misdemeanor drug charges.

In 2013, Westbrook received probation after a felony conviction of possession of stolen goods/property."

Come on it has only been since October that he was in trouble with the law.

[FrodosPet]

7. TRIGGER WARNING: Language and violent imagery

He was merely a peaceful misunderstood artist

"Murder? Ain't got no rank.
The Donkey like to spank."

[FrodosPet]

5. I feel terrible for that young man's family

But that pain is eased somewhat knowing several other truly innocent people were not killed in the crossfire of a gang war.

[virgogal]

6. He's been arrested 11 times. He was no innocent.

[rjsquirrel]

8. Lol "rapping on the side"

[840high]

12. Rapping was his hobby - crime was

his profession. I do feel sorry for the parents.

[cwydro]

14. He shot a 12 year old last year.

The guy was a violent criminal.

Damn right, no innocent.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

9. So, translated, just another "good guy with a gun", right?

Every culture has their way of excusing shit.

[X_Digger]

10. "loved people, loved the kids" -- does that include the 12 year old he previously shot? n/t

[Snobblevitch]

11. He got trouble when he was younger?

Well, sure, he was younger back in October. We all were.