Earlier today the family of Bryan Stow held a press conference to personally thank the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for capturing Giovanni Ramirez. Stow's sister, Erin Collins, has been the family spokesperson since the incident. The thought of having a family member attend a baseball game and coming home in a hospital bed is something nobody would imagine.
Opening Day
It was opening day of the 2011 baseball season and the Los Angeles Dodgers were hosting their archrival, the San Francisco Giants at Chavez Ravine, where Stow's and Ramirez's paths crossed. This game was special. It was the first time since nfl jerseys wholesale from china moving from New York in 1958 that San Francisco would open the season as the reigning champs of Major League Baseball.
Stow and other fans had waited for months to attend the opener. California is unique to other states when it comes to professional baseball. In addition to the Dodgers and Giants there is the Oakland Athletics, the Anaheim Angels, and the San Diego Padres so fans traditionally travel the state cheering for their team.
The Incident
According to the LAPD, after the game, as Bryan Stow was trying to get to his car, he was blindsided by Giovanni Ramirez nfl jerseys wholesale and another accomplice who knocked him unconscious. While lying on the ground, Ramirez kicked Stow in the head. It was this blow that prompted the LAPD to file attempted murder charges.
The attack was so brutal it was unknown if Stow would live. He spent over one month at Los Angeles General Hospital. It was just past Monday that he went home in Northern California.
During the time Bryan Stow was in the hospital, his family had flown to Los Angeles to give support. As information was developing about the suspects they participated in several press conferences which were cordinated by City officials. Over 600 leads poured into the LAPD, but it was Ramirez's probation officer who finally called them with crucial information.
The Capture
Yesterday's news of Ramirez's capture brought the family some relief. Imagine, the telephone rings and the voice on the other end is LAPD? You don't know if it's good news or bad news. According to the Times, Ann Stow, Bryan's mother was emotional when she received the call. Was her son okay?
As LAPD patched together information to capture Ramirez, they discovered he is a documented member of the Varrio Nuevo Estrada street gang and has three prior felony convictions.
Family Offers Thanks
Many fans of the Dodgers have voiced displeasure at what they say is the team's inadvertent influence on the growing attendance of gang members, like Ramirez, who attend games and show unacceptable behavior while using the stadium as a place to hang out. The Dodgers are a very popular team. Fans show their support by wearing jerseys, jackets, caps and other attire featuring the logo. As a matter of fact, a witness said one of the suspects was wearing an Andr Eithier jersey.
During her comments, Collins praised the LAPD for their tenacity and voiced appreciation of the support provided by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the City of Los Angeles, and the many wellwishers who sent support and words of encouragement to the family.
Baseball is known as a family sport. The Dodgers and Giants have maintained a thriving rivalry going back generations. Yet, the attack on Stow was unthinkable. In sports the competition takes place on the field of play, not on the parking lot. Hopefully his family will see justice and eventually he recovers as no family should have to deal with this type of incident.