Mar 16, 2009 4:34 pm US/Central
Parent Reflects On Teen Violence In Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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A family picture hangs in the Holt family home of Ron Holt holding his only son, Blair. Blair was killed in gun violence while riding a CTA bus home from school.
CBS
A community faces disbelief and sadness Monday night after another Chicago public school student died over the weekend. Gregory Robinson, a 14-year-old student was shot and killed trying to protect two of his relatives.
The father of another teen killed in a similar incident shared his pain with CBS 2's Mike Parker.
The flag outside Simeon High School is at half staff and grief counselors are inside Monday. These sad but familiar details mark the death of freshman
Gregory Robinson. He was killed Friday night when gang bullets slammed into the family car. He was apparently trying to shield two young relatives from the gunfire.
"They have to know that there's going to be some stiff and severe consequences," Ron Holt said.
Holt is grieving along with Robinson's family and fellow students. His son, 16-year-old Blair Holt was shot and killed by gang gunfire two years ago. He was on a CTA bus, trying to shield a classmate when he was hit.
"Once again, we've lost a good young innocent...an unintended target in these senseless acts of gun violence that seem to continue," Holt said.
The violence has continued indeed. It was in 1984 that Simeon students were plunged into terrible grief. Basketball superstar Ben Wilson was shot to death after accidentally bumping into a gang member outside school.
Gregory Robinson loved the school basketball program too, although not as a player. He attended every game and was returning from a game when he was shot.
Twenty five years later, Simeon parents are still understandably worried about their kids.
"I would think that the mayor needs to be down here, you know. He's talking about policing all the time. I think he needs to have more security down here," parent Marcus Bryant said.
Ron Holt wants tougher prison time for gun users.
"They know that they've done wrong," Holt said.
So often in these cases they do seem to get away with it.
"They do seem to get away with it and that's the part that hurts parents and loved ones who have to endure the loss of an innocent child," Holt said.
Holt will head to Springfield on Wednesday. He plans to lobby state lawmakers to put an end to the sale and use of assault rifles in Illinois once and for all.
He knows he'll be bucking the clout of the NRA, but he says it's time for common sense.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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