Linda wrote on Jun 28, 2008 6:14 PM:What was a 15 year old doing out at 12:30 am? What kind of parent lets a child of 15 out of the house to walk the streets within our "local" society? I would call the parents guilty of enabling and irrisponsible parenting and would hope they take part of the blame and guilt that contributes to our whole town. If all Escondido parents actually parented instead of contributing to the deterioration of our city...maybe we could reverse this process, and get our city back.

LisaP wrote on Jun 28, 2008 7:29 PM:What was he doing out that late at night? Where was his Mother?

wow wrote on Jun 28, 2008 8:46 PM:such an young age to have his life ended. Prayers to this mother and her family. Please we need to some way get our youth back off the streets. 12:30 am a 15 year old should be home.

Jeana wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:48 PM:We will miss you Eddie, we love you and we will always remember the times on the bus....

AMY wrote on Jun 28, 2008 11:09 PM:EDDY BABE, iMA MiSS YOU SO MUCH i STiLL CANT BELiEVE YOUR GONE; AND TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE ALSO WRiTiNG COMMENTS ABOUT THiS; iF YOU DONT EXACTLY KNOW THE STORY ABOUT MY FRiEND EDDY, DONT TALK ABOUT iT OR TRY TO ASK STUPiD QUESTiONS. WHY DO YOU CARE WHAT HE WAS DOiNG LATE AT NiGHT, WHAT DO YOU CARE WHERE HIS MOTHER WAS AT; MiND YOUR OWN DAMN BUiSNESS!!

Sad wrote on Jun 28, 2008 11:16 PM:Sounds like there are murderers out in Escondido looking for victims.

betty wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:09 AM:This is horrible , who can live knowing they took the young man life but the families son.My prayer is with the family of this young man





...

VANESSA wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:35 AM:WE MiSS HiM VERY MUCH d iT d0ESN'T MATTER WAT HE WAS d0iN 0BVi0USLY HE WAS WALKiN T0 A PLACE!iTS CALL'd FREEd0M N0T NEEdiN PARENTiN CLASS'S!! S0 ALL Y0U TALKiN NEEd T0 REALiZE THE diFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT!!! MUCH RESPECT F0R HiS FAMiLY! EddiE S0 MANY MEM0RiES Y0U LEFT UR F0R A BETTER PLACE N0T F0R L0NG TH0 WE'LL MEET UP S00N! WE L0VE Nd MiSS Y0U VERY MUCH!

have some wrote on Jun 29, 2008 3:44 AM:sympathy, for Christ's sake. I live down on 15th street and could hear the sirens going. Unfortunately the kid was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Gangs have begun to take over and all the government is saying is that we have to STOP PATROLING CARS. FINE LETS HAVE THE US fall APART it already HAS, just say A COP was patrolling the street around that time, things would've probably ended better. ALSO I WAS FREAKING OUT WHEN WE HEARD THE GUN SHOTS... THIS IS HORRIBLE AND U ALL MUST SYMPATHIZE, feel bad for the mother don't blame her. KIDS can make bad choices and it is only their fault, if they aim for bad they will do bad, no matter how much the parent talks to them!!!!!!!!! U ALL MUST SYMPATHIZE.

Have some wrote on Jun 29, 2008 8:36 AM:Have some explained it pretty well

Think wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:40 AM:The police did not let that young man out of his house in the middle of the night. While I sympathize for his mother's loss, she will spend the rest of her life wondering why she allowed him to go out in the middle of the night. A 15-year-old does not have the same "freedoms" adults have, nor should he. 15-year-olds make bad choices, yes. That is why their parents should be doing more than talking! Supervise your children. This young man is not the only one who was out without supervision. He was with a group, and shot by a group. That's a number of children running the streets in the middle of the night. Where were all of the parents of those kids?

Where were the parents wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:06 AM:Parenting is a BIG issue, whether some of you like it or not. And... what's up with the spelling and grammar with most of your comments? Is it a NCT glitch? I sure hope so!

To His Friends wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:33 AM:To Amy and Vanessa: I want you to know how sorry I am for the loss of your friend. No one should meet such a terrible end. My heart goes out to Eddie's friends and family. Please try and take away this bit of understanding. What most people in my generation (over 40) absolutely know is if we can keep kids like Eddie off the streets at night, tragedies like this simply won't occur. The story is always the same: young kids, late nights, alcohol, drugs, or in this case guns and violence. The ending is often tragic and always avoidable. By the way, none of my crowd had this wisdom when we were Eddie's age; we don't expect any 15 year old to have it. But please know we only want the best for all of you. Try and live your lives in a way that you minimize the risks. You've heard the lectures enough I'm sure so I won't bore you with that, but remember the lesson that is being taught to you by the tragic death of your friend.

Rest in Peace Young Man.

LisaP wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:01 AM:To Amy and Vanessa- so where was his Mother? Was he in a gang? Was he a tagger? Tell us please since you seem to know.

To Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:03 AM:What a terribly creul thing to write. I can't even imagine the grief this mother is experiencing at the loss of her son. 12:30 am may be too late for a 15 year old to be out, but this kind of violence happens at ALL TIMES of the day. Perhaps we should keep our kids locked in the house at ALL TIMES to prevent this tragedy from happening again. Perhaps we should all just stay locked in our homes. After all we are guaranteed to be safe in our homes, aren't we?

Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:25 AM:Look, I am not trying to be cruel. I do have sympathy for this child, and I do have sympathy for the parents mistake. Yes, crime does occur at all times of day. Absolutely. But do not point fingers at the Police for not being the parent. There is a curfew in place for a reason. My child abides by it and I make sure he does. They should call curfew breaking "child endangerment". Sure, I snuck out at 15, but years ago it was alot different. You could walk the streets of Escondido and not fear for your life. We are not even safe in our homes anymore due to "late night food runs" and "coming home from a friends house". My question is...Where is the parenting? Hellooooooo? Do your jobs Parents!! Take responsibility.

To Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 12:11 PM:I don't think your comments cruel at all. Obviously, you understand that parenting teenagers is a difficult and thankless job. The other entry which discusses all of us being locked up in our homes seems to be another person trying to ease the pain from such a terrible loss of life. True, this can happen at any time of day, as evidenced by the 40-year-old man shot in his own driveway later that same day. Mockingly saying that we should all stay locked up demonstrates that some people have not grasped the deep need for parenting young people long before they hit age 15, and teaching them right from wrong. This world has become far too dangerous to sit idly by while our children kill each other for no reason. We should not keep our children locked up at all times. However, we should know where they are, who they are with, what they are doing, and place boundaries on them to keep them safe. And if we are not able to answer even one of those questions, we are not effectively supervising them. That mother will suffer for the rest of her life. I feel tremendous pity and sympathy for her. My prayers go out to her. My prayers also go out to the parents of the other children. I pray that they learn from this tragedy and use this terrible event to change their parenting styles to protect their children from the same type of street violence. I pray that the parents realize that their children are not only a danger to themselves, but a danger to me, my family, and my neighbors, when they are left unattended and without adult supervision. I will not keep my teen locked in the house, but, I will sit up at 1:30am and explain to him why a helicopter searching a neighborhood for a shooter in the middle of the night is a serious problem and how dangerous it is to go out in the middle of the night without proper supervision. As an adult, I would not walk down the street in the middle of the night. This is not the TVLand world most of us grew up in. It is a dangerous, violent, unpredictable place where people are killed or taken by strangers every day. That is a reality. Since we know this to be true, why wouldn't we take additional steps to protect our children and families, at home and on the street, starting with boundaries.

To Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 12:15 PM:I don't think your comment is cruel at all. Obviously, you understand that parenting teenagers is a difficult and thankless job. The other entry which discusses all of us being locked up in our homes seems to be another person trying to ease the pain from such a terrible loss of life. True, this can happen at any time of day, as evidenced by the 40-year-old man shot in his own driveway later that same day. Mockingly saying that we should all stay locked up demonstrates that some people have not grasped the deep need for parenting young people long before they hit age 15, and teaching them right from wrong. This world has become far too dangerous to sit idly by while our children kill each other for no reason. We should not keep our children locked up at all times. However, we should know where they are, who they are with, what they are doing, and place boundaries on them to keep them safe. And if we are not able to answer even one of those questions, we are not effectively supervising them. That mother will suffer for the rest of her life. I feel tremendous pity and sympathy for her. My prayers go out to her. My prayers also go out to the parents of the other children. I pray that they learn from this tragedy and use this terrible event to change their parenting styles to protect their children from the same type of street violence. I pray that the parents realize that their children are not only a danger to themselves, but a danger to me, my family, and my neighbors, when they are left unattended and without adult supervision. I will not keep my teen locked in the house, but, I will sit up at 1:30am and explain to him why a helicopter searching a neighborhood for a shooter in the middle of the night is a serious problem and how dangerous it is to go out in the middle of the night without proper supervision. As an adult, I would not walk down the street in the middle of the night. This is not the TVLand world most of us grew up in. It is a dangerous, violent, unpredictable place where people are killed or taken by strangers every day. That is a reality. Since we know this to be true, why wouldn't we take additional steps to protect our children and families, at home and on the street, starting with boundaries.

Mother wrote on Jun 29, 2008 12:22 PM:I am sorry that this young's man life was ended so short. And my prayers go out to the family. But sure it could of happened anywhere. Just like walking in the middle of the street. Parents need to be make their children more responsible. If the police could be there? Police cannot be everywhere babysitting. What would we need? A policeman for every street corner? If the police had picked him up then the police would still be in trouble. Police have a no win situation. I hope his friends learn something from his passing. Life is so fragile, please don't let his death be in vain. Parents...know where your children are. Pick them up so that they don't walk the streets.

Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 12:58 PM:Amen. Parenting equals love. Out of love, I take my childs "freedom" to make his own choices until he is 18 and by then, hopefully, all of the values and common safety issues I have instilled in him through out his life will keep him safe. RIP Eddy.

so sad wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:07 PM:i am saddened to hear about another death by a young person in escondido. eduardo was a sweet kid who had made some wrong choices in his life. to people who say 15 years is too young to be out on the streets: true, but kids do it everyday and even if parents say no-some sneak out anyways. i work with these kids everyday & ultimately it is the kids choice. this is the second young death in escondido. and for what? what are they fighting for? i dont think even the kids know. when are we as adults going to start to make alternatives to our young people to gang violence? how many more kids have to die?

RIP and prayers wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:16 PM:i totally agree with "to linda"

Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:58 PM:The young deaths in Escondido stems from emulating actions obviously of their parents and peers. If a parent is not involved enough to know that walking the streets after dark is dangerous and have not impressed this on thier child by age 15 they have failed. I questioned my 15 year old and challenged him as to what occured with these young kids and he had the correct answers. He said "they should not have been out, as it was dangerous and there is a curfew. Maybe I am on the right track?
We as parents need to guard our children and teach them. Give them values. Tell them to say please and thank you and look someone in the eye when they speak. Hold thier heads with confidence and always show respect. I dont care if I have to lock my child in the room if I cannot trust him not to sneak out. He knows better. He knows right from wrong. He knows he could be killed on the street. He thinks gang activity is stupid.I do trust him but I still have to keep track of him for his own safety. He makes his share of mistakes, but they are harmless mistakes and law abiding.
PARENTS PLEASE BE INVOLVED. CHILDREN DONT USUALLY FABRICATE FAMILIES OUT OF PEERS IE GANGS. THEY ARE REACHING OUT FOR SOME SORT OF ACCEPTANCE. THIS SHOULD COME FROM THE HOME FIRST.

Baby V wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:59 PM:Parenting Has Nothing To Do With it. no parent is perfect, but you have to be able to know where there child is at.but it also has to do with trust,his mom probably trusted him enough to let him out that late, and others are accusing the mother for her "poor" parenting? please everyone reaches that age where they want to be out late.this is the second death this year and this time the kid was only 15, people have to realize it doesnt matter if your a gang banger or not these hoodlums will take a life away doesnt matter what time of the day. my condolences to his mother and his family!Loosing a love one is something no one will ever be able to replace!Hes In A Better Place Now!
Rest In Peace
R.i.P Eddie

Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 2:20 PM:Parenting has Everything to do with it. Yes it does matter if your you are a gang banger. Gang banger and Hoodlum means the same thing. Baby V? I would bet if you are not a minor, you are one of the "fine Escondido Citizens" I fear when I walk the streets in the daytime.You are certainly not setting an example by condoning being a gang banger. I am not a holy roller by far but I will pray for myself and my childs safety from all the people like yourself who have attitudes like that. I feel bad that you have come from a parenting situation that has bred an attitude like yours. This kind of attitude is what fuels situations like this.

Condolences wrote on Jun 29, 2008 3:08 PM:to friends and family.
I observe ya'll write about the mother and about what parents should do, but why not ask about fathers? because we don't expect men to be parents? America is fatherless because MEN fail to be responsible, and we simply focus on the mothers rather than hold men accountable at all for thier choices.
Condolences to the family and friends of this young man.

Julie wrote on Jun 29, 2008 3:45 PM:First, I am sorry for the familys loss of this young boy. Second, I don't understand what in the world this boy was doing out at such a late hour? It's things like this that confirm why I never take my eyes off of my kids! Face it, these days you can't leave them unsupervised for any length of time. I grew up in Escondido, but it was never as bad as it is now. These two recent homicides make me glad we left, and that area is bad anyways. It's just a sad shame that this once wonderful city has gone downhill.

Been on both Sides wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:00 PM:Linda - you seem to have alot of opinions on this matter and the first thing I will say is "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". You speak with anger and hostility when talk about "fine Escondido Citizens". I AM a fine Escondido Citizen! My wife,daughter and I go to church every Sunday, we volunteer in our community and childrens school and we both are gainfully employeed and have excellent careers. But guess what, I own a lowrider, my favorite casual outfit is a pair baggy jeans, white T-Shirt and Padres Baseball cap tilted to the side. I call my friends "homeboys" and like rap music (BTW I am over 40). I let the neighborhood "kids" kick it our house so they aren't in the wrong place at the wrong time.We don't drink alcohol, NO drugs and some come with their dads! So instead of wondering where HIS mother was at, ask yourself what are you doing to help keep kids off the street. The world HAS changed but it still takes a village to raise a child. GET INVOLVED PEOPLE! LET'S TAKE OUR KIDS BACK!

JSten wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:10 PM:So there were two shooting in downtown Escondido on Saturday,

When did it become fashionable to blame the kid, the parents, police, and everyone but the killer?

I think we need to have more people on the streets at night not less. Take back the night.

punk wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:29 PM:Chino you mean a lot to many people. You will be misses and loved by everyone. R.I.P Chino.

To Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:36 PM:Wow! You're not even trying to understand what others are writing before you start attacking them. Baby V did not say it doesn't matter if you are a gang banger-period. What she was saying was that hoodlums kill indiscriminately. "They" don't care whether someone is a gang-banger or not. I sure hope you don't raise your son to be as judgmental and quick to attack as you seem to be.

To Linda wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:19 PM:She was not condoning being a gang member at all. Not at all! She'd be the last person to condone that. She was simply saying that it doesn't matter if you're a gang member or not, if you cross them they will do whatever it takes to end your life. This is happening too much in Escondido. R.I.P. Eddie, my heart goes out to him, his family & his friends. And Baby V, I'm so sorry for your loss also, keep being strong girl.

esco kid wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:53 PM:its sad because everyone is waisting their time trying to figure out whos fault was it, when a young soul was lost, there's nothing we can do to atop this madness but we can sure prevent it.
R.I.P
EDDIE.

To Both Sides wrote on Jun 29, 2008 7:13 PM:Thank goodness there are people like you who do more than talk the talk. There would be less kids getting in trouble on the streets if more people would open up their homes and their hearts like you do. Thanks for setting a good example for those kids!

ReBoth Sides wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:09 PM:You are a very rare person...baggy pants, lowrider, etc. Usually it's the OG's like you who are steering these people the wrong way. I hope there are others out there for these youngsters. Unfortunately there is too much glam with the Mexican Gangs/prison culture. These boys need to realize there is more to life than gang banging and lots of opportunity for them. But I think the major component here is the parents. Unfortunately lots of these barrio parents are clueless as to what their kids are exposed to..these parents often work several jobs and just don't deal with their kids until its too late. And I hate to say it but 15 years old is too late in this day and age. The "red flags" were most likely brought to parents attention by 6th grade by the school. But those warnings are often ignored.

sad mom wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:52 PM:To you judgemental people(Linda) blaming these poor parents who just lost a child. I consider myself a very strict and involved parent who always knew where my 15 year old child was, and what he was doing, until one Sunday morning I got a text msg saying "please don't worry Mom I'm ok, sorry I betrayed your trust". I flew out of bed and ran to his room and he was gone...he said goonight...he was there 2 hours later(11:30 pm) when we went to bed, I had no idea he left. I had all the talks, he is very well mannered and respectful, he has boundries...then there was a girl...and he used poor judgment, It has been two and a half years and I still don't sleep well. I still check his room throughout the night. It is a very sick feeling to think your child is asleep only to find out he's gone..and I don't think I have failed as a parent....He text me because his ride had been drinking and he didn't want to get in the car with him. If anything had happened to him that night, I can't imagine having such horrible people judging me...so to all you perfect parents that are doing all the judging, more than half of you will find out in about 10 to 15 years that maybe you didn't know everything your kids were doing and you won't be able to take back the ugly things you have said about these parents...and to Linda did it ever occur to you that maybe your son didn't have all the correct answers?...just maybe..he had the answers he knew you wanted to hear.

Baby V wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:11 PM:To Linda
First of All yes Im a Minor and im a citizen of escondido, but obviously you have to be in our place to see whats going on now a days, it isnt safe for anyone to walk the streets doesnt matter what time of the day like i said. and this is the second time someone accuses the parent. it all depends how your parenting goes, some parents trust their kids enough to let them out late, some keep them in a bubble and fear for thier safety. i knw my parents did, but you have to be able to tell your child the dos and donts if you dont they'll want to go and find out on thier own. everyone has diffrent opinios about this issue. im a concern citizen not only that but my boyfriend was the first teenager to be killed this year in early april, and its heartbreaking and its something i wish no one should go through. and for that comment you left, im not a gangbanger i dnt assocaite with gangs but going to school and watching these fake little kids throwing up gang signs does piss me off, ive lost all my respect for them,my boyfriends life was taken by them probably by the same ppl who killed eddie, and my boyfriend wasnt associtated with gangs. you have no right to be blaming the mother it wasnt her fault he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. its scary to be out now a days you cant trust anyone anymore. everyone wants all this gang warfare to stop but the way things are going their is no way it will end soon.

Maybe the cops can wrote on Jun 30, 2008 6:24 AM:start responding to citizens complaints on gang whistling...

Annette wrote on Jun 30, 2008 7:33 AM:I know it is summer time and there is no school. So kids are more likely to stay up late and hang out with their friends. We as parents should keep the kids busy during the summer and not let them do what ever they want, jjust becasue school is out. I was woken up by gunshots around 12:25am. I ran out of my house to see what was going on. I heard some boys tripping out that his friend was shot. The neighbors called 911. My heart just melted when I saw Eddie laying there on the ground. When I arrived at the scene he was still alive. The police arrived and started performing CPR, until the paramedics arrived, but by then it was too late. I wish these kids would really see what is going on here. What are our kids trying to prove? They don't realized the danger of being in a gang. It might sound cool, but it is not all about partying with the gang and having a grand o"time. This is going be a rivalry between the east side and west side. What these kids don't realize is that they are putting their own families life at risk. These people don't care who you are, they will kill what you love the most. I grew up with a brother that was a gang member in the late 80's here in Escondido. I remember my mom throwing us on the floor because they did a drive by at our house. My brother wasn't even home that night. Like we all know. I am sure there is more to this story. I hope these young men realize that their is more to life than just wasting the time God is giving us on earth. Remember the lesson that is being taught to you by the tragic death of your friend(s). Don't continue the cycle. This was one of the hardest situations I have had to deal with. We have lived on 7th & Spruce for over 15 years and nothing like this had ever happend close to home or like it did. My prayers go out to the mother and family of eddie.

Kathy wrote on Jun 30, 2008 8:43 AM:My heart goes out to his family. I was raised in a good loving family. Doesn't mean my Mom knew what I was doing late at night when sleeping a friends house and sneaking out a window when the parents went to sleep. Maybe his Mother works all day and was ASLEEP! I don't think its fair to blame his Mother for this tragedy.

White Boy wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:25 AM:I am tired of all you self righteous holier than thou creeps. If this was a 15 year old girl in a mini skirt on the streets at this hour and was raped, you would all say she should of known better and it was all her fault. Well I am saying the teen and his parents are at fault and both should of known better. And please don't tell me he snuck out of the house, my parents used to nail my window shut.

esteban wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:31 AM:I'm sure the gutless killer had a rough time growing up. I'm sure he just had a bad day. A little hug should do him good and set him straight. That always works.

MarineGunner wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:36 AM:It just amazes me that there are still people deflecting blame from the parents in this tragedy. It IS the parents of Eddie, R.I.P. It IS the parents of the, most likely, 'gangbangers' who killed him. It IS the fault of failed parenting. No matter how you try and spin it. The family unit has failed these people and we as a society are suffering for it. Wake up and take responsibility for your kids. Teach them the value of life. I feel for the friends of this young man who was killed, however you have to take this as a learning experience and make sure that you and yours are more responsible from this point on.

we all can do better wrote on Jun 30, 2008 11:15 AM:If you drive the area it's humbling no matter what you think.
A life was lost and an impromptu memorial has been created, the EPD are out and about and you can feel it in the air.
Peace

So many to blame wrote on Jun 30, 2008 12:54 PM:The gangbangers often feel like they are living the heroic life with their band of brothers, defending their turf, etc. Violence is a romanticized part of the whole mindset. But this is America, and this is all not so unusual. Bush says "Bring em on". Who doesn't want to be a tough cowpoke, doing what's right for his peeps? And have a look at the entertainment media: it's non-stop worship of youth, of irresponsible "freedom", complete with adults adivsing us to do whatever it takes to stay young. Parents are certainly part of the problem, and who are parents? Participants and supporters of this culture of youth-worship. What is there in our society that supports parents, or anyone, respecting maturation and wisdom? Have you seen how the churches are trying to "reach out"? Of course! With heavy metal bands preaching the gospel. More wonderful role models. We, as a society, need to grow up, but unfortunately, this seems to be about the last thing we want. Whether it's teen shootings or casualties arriving from Iraq under cover of night, nothing will stop this until we decide to cherish life and wisdom.

to LisaP from tati wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:13 PM:it doesn't matter who he was or what he was doing all that matters is that he got shot and we need to find out who did it so stop worrying about where his mom was or anything else like that.
R.I.P bestffriend, i love you && miss you

We are all tired wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:21 PM:of the violence, can't control your kids, don't have any more!

pianolady wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:36 PM:Please don't blame the parents unless you have facts. I know from personal experience that you can't control your teenagers. Thank God, my son made it through, but it could have easily been him laying dead in the street. We do the best we can. Do not add to the pain these parents and friends are feeling by placing blame.

My heart goes out to the parents and friends of this boy. May you find comfort in your memories and may you find peace. Bless you, Eddie

pianolady wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:41 PM:To Marinegunner at 9:36am.....Perhaps you stay awake all night watching your child? When do you sleep? Because kids can sneak out at night and if you think just being a "good parent" will stop it, you are naive. Sorry, you are wrong. I've been there. Again, to all the friends and family of Eddie, my deep condolences!

To tati wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:02 PM:"we need to find out who did it", with WE being the EPD or WE being you and his friends?

LoAsh wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:51 PM:I feel very bad for this young boy, and his family, as it is very sad when such a young person looses their life. However, I do have to agree with the community members who are asking where his parents are/were. No parent, no matter how excellent or terrible they are, should ever, under any circumstance, let their UNDER AGE child out past 10:00PM. As my father told me as I was growing up, “Nothing good ever happens after 10:00PM.”

So again, I want to express my condolences to the family of this young boy, I am so sorry, but you should have known where he was, maybe then the others that have posted in this forum, including myself, could have done something more productive with their day then speak of such a tragedy.

DR wrote on Jun 30, 2008 6:04 PM:I find this post amazing! The average person does not get shot. The average gang member increases his chances 1000 fold. To not recognize that is unbelieveable. Pianolady seems to think that no matter what you do your kids will go crazy and be in control of you and not the reverse. Are you kiddingt??? This kids parent(s) knew long before Saturday that he had problems. Obviously they dropped the ball. Ognoring this is ignorant and does not help anyone. Setting standards and having consequences is vital to the success of kids,regardless of their ethnic background. Don't add to their pain? Get a clue! It's too late for Eddie, but not for others to learn from this. I work with kids every day and I can tell you that the worst thing you can do is act like nothing could have been done to stop it. There are some good kids out there in gangs, but they need to be told the truth. If you hang out with bad people, doing bad things, something bad will happen to you. It is too bad that a kid like Eddie will never get the chance to come to that realization, hopefully others will!

Truthful wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:22 PM:I don't care. I have no sympathy for gang-type people or other (alledged)non-gang Hispanics out at midnight in Mexcondido.

it doesnt matter wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:13 PM:rip to eddie but he got killed for a reason he wasnt just an inocent person he was involved with a gang period if not he was about to be. i saw in the news his lil homies crossing off the d what does that mean... they are crossing off their enemies lets just hope it doesnt happen again but pretty sure it will because they are going to try to get back at their enemies an it will be going back and forth someone has to stop it!!!

Steph wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:34 PM:I am a Escondido Citizen and even though im only 20 I am fed up with the "Gangs" I dont live in a high class neighborhood and everyday i leave my apartment I am nervous because of the gang members hanging out yelling at me and saying rude things as I walk to my car. I know EPD is doing their best and thank you for making my neighborhood feel a little bit more safe. The police are always coming through my neighborhood at all hours of the day/evening. These "Gangs" are terrorists in groups. Im just a concearned young lady about this once beautiful town. I dont see Escondido as a family place anymore. Its just known for its gangs and violence. Thats pretty sad.

Educator wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:27 PM:So many of you have said that the parents have failed. This may be true. It may be that proper parenting would have saved Eddie and the the other boys who shot him. But if that parenting is not happening, what are we in Escondido going to do about it? Will we just keep shaking our heads as we read about another murder in Escondido? Will we give Escondido up as a lost cause and move elsewhere? I say let's participate in the lives of these kids! I work with them everyday. They seek relationships with a parent, sibling, friend, anyone! If all of these kids are lacking good parents, and so many of us see ourselves as good parents, let's reach out to them and connect!

pianolady wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:48 AM:To DR@June 30 6:04pm....You didn't read my post very well. I didn't say that no matter what you do your kids will go crazy and be in control. But I did say that you cannot contol your teenagers. There is a difference. You can teach them , you can set limits, you can have consequences, but sometimes it doesn't matter. Some of them will make poor choices. I have 3 boys. One of them was in trouble, the other 2 were not. They were all raised the same. So what is your explanation, Mr. DR? What is your personal experience??

DR wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:02 PM:Thanks for using the word "sometimes" I work with High Schoolers everyday. I can tell you from my experience that something bad happening to good parents "almost" never happens!! People do not like accountability, so I am sure somepeople will not like that statement. Sorry, it is a fact I have seen over the last 19 years in education.
I live in a neighboring town, but I was raised in Escondido. I have kids of my own, but I cannot tell you that they have been raised the same. Certainly the standards are the same, but they each respond differently to different types of discipline. The implication that you send them out the front door and then hold your breath is not good enough for me. I think that is what Marine gunner was talking about! The relationships I have with my kids gives me the confidence that they will make good decisions. We have set very clear standards at home. The only fear I have is of them being with the wrong people. I discuss this with them ALL THE TIME!!! (Communication what a concept!)If their friends don't meet our standards as a family, then my kids will be encouraged to make better choices. That is the area where a lot of parents fail. They would rather be their kids pal rather than the parent. If you do it right, then your kids will be your friends later. If my kids screw up their life, it won't be because their parents didn't try!
Marine Gunner, thanks for your service, and advice. They are both valuable!!!

sanchez wrote on Jul 8, 2008 2:21 PM:stop already!!! EDDIE was killed! do you understand he was killed. He didnt kill himself, his friends and family didnt kill him, he was killed. Your all talking trash about the family why dont you talk trash about the killer and his family!