Iraq vet murdered in Indiana
Someone sent us an article about Sergeant First Class James Vester, a diesel mechanic in the Indiana National Guard and who had a tour of Iraq. Apparently, SFC Vester was murdered when he went to buy an iPad from an ad he saw on Craigslist;
In addition to those duties he served on the ceremonial team honoring those who died in service.
“Some people wanted to do it for the accolades, but Jim wanted to pay respect,” said Sgt. Major Tony Williams with the Indiana National Guard.
Friends of the family, started a fundraising campaign for Vester’s wife and son. You can help the family by logging on here.
The person who sent us the article says that SFC Vester left behind a son and a young wife. I’ve never used Craigslist and these articles make me want to avoid it like the plague.
Category: Real Soldiers
All for a fricken iPad…..good God….
so our feel good story and this all from craigs list. yeah, ill stay away from there
How many people have been killed or seriously injured because they agreed to meet with someone over an add for something on Craigslist?
Whenever you meet someone, you do so in a very public place. If you can, be armed as well, or bring someone with you who can be armed. My wife does PCA work and when she goes to meet with a new client, she always brings me with to the meet up. It’s that simple, folks. It doesn’t matter if it’s craigslist or your local paper, you do not go alone, or you make the meet up for a very public place, period. I have told my daughters that for many years, even before craigslist existed.
List of reasons to carry my gun:
263. Craigslist
A few months ago in South Los Angeles, a father, Ray Balbuena, and his 15 year old son responded to a Craigslist ad for a cell phone. They parked in front of a house in a residential area. The father knocked on the door to inquire about the phone, was told to go away, and then walked back to his car.
Not long after two gang members approached the car and fired into it, killing Ray and grazing his son.
I definitely do not do any purchases from Craigslist.
Agree with Old Trooper on how to do it. I’ve sold stuff on Craigslist, and always meet at a public location, and am always prepared. So far, never a problem. If they don’t want to meet at a public place? That tells you everything you need to know right there.
Thank you for putting this story out there. Although I didnt know him very well, he was, by all accounts, an oustanding Husband, Father and NCO who was taken away from his family and friends too early. RIP
Blessings and comfort to his family. I thank him for his service to our nation. Rest In Peace Sergeant Vester.
The CL hate is a little silly. Might as well blame the gun, Jonn, it had as much to do with his death as CL did. As with guns, for every horror story there are probably tens of millions of success stories you never hear about.
I’ve been an avid Craigslister since I got back from the sandbox in 2005. I’ve bought, sold, and given away more junk than I could ever have imagined. In fact, I met my wife through Craigslist (true story.)
Like it or not CL is the new “classified ad” section of the paper. People were robbed, assaulted or killed responding to classified ads in the paper, too.
As with anything else, common sense applies. Disregard common sense and you’re asking for trouble. Anyone who has been on CL for a while knows when a deal looks suspicious, and when one looks good.
When the add is selling luxury goods cheap, and actually says “come alone” you should know that something is up.
Two are in custody for this, unfortunately, they’re still alive. http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2013/12/06/police-arrest-two-teen-brothers-after-fatal-shooting-near-ben-davis-hs/3889037/
I’ve met him. This is sad.
Always meet in public, even, or especially, if you’re buying weapons or ammo. As LW says, if they don’t want to meet in public, you know all you need to know.
I only go to Craigslist to find cats that are being given away for nothing, to get them to rescue.
I’ve done many deals on craigslist, never had a problem. You get the occasional nut job that wants to trade you worthless shit even when you put in the add “no trades”. Most of the time I meet in a public place, and 100% of the time I am armed. The last CL deal I did was in fact only last weekend, and in that case I was selling a cast iron engine block, so the guy came to my place to pick it up. I hate doing business like that, but with an item like that it’s not very practical to drive it out to some public parking lot. And my brother-in-law was with me at the time, he was armed too. Did have one guy who contacted me wanting to trade an xbox for a paintball gun I was selling, he had a strange story that didn’t feel right. Said he was 18, going into the fugitive recovery business, and needed the paintball gun for pepper balls. Also said his house burned down recently and was staying at a local hotel, and wanted me to go to the hotel room for the deal. I promptly said no thanks, find someone else. When using CL, just keep your bullshit detector on high, and immediately turn down a deal if something doesn’t feel right. And be armed. Always be armed.
I hope these two pieces of trash get what they deserve. I could only hope someone who is already where they are going welcomes them warmly.
http://fox59.com/2013/12/06/teen-brothers-arrested-in-connection-with-west-side-murder/#axzz2mtd4LSmq
Looks like it was two more of Obama’s sons.