According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a violent crime includes murder, rape and sexual assault, robbery, and assault. Philadelphia is one such place where a lot of these crimes are reported frequently and, this month a case stood out about a man who was shot while trying to help someone else in a public shopping area. His story shows how innocent bystanders or good Samaritans can find themselves in the line of fire.
Intervention Turns To Violent Crime For Philadelphia Man
A 29-year-old man was shot outside of a Target store near Roosevelt Mall in North East Philly after he saw an argument between his friend and a suspect. The victim confronted a man with the gun who in turn, shot him in the back.
This incident led to the arrest of a 30-year-old man from Germantown and was charged with two counts of attempted murder and related offenses in connection with the shooting.
The victim was taken to a local hospital, Aria Health-Torresdale Campus, in critical condition. While he has survived the attack, he is left with the physical and emotional effects that he must deal with daily. While an arrest was made in this case and justice served in criminal court, the victim needs justice too.
This is just one violent act in which an innocent person was injured trying to stop a potentially deadly situation. Violent acts against bystanders and innocent victims are on the rise in the United States as is domestic violence. In these types of incidents, victims are left with the lingering effects of their injuries and the emotional and mental trauma from becoming a victim of crime.
Aggravated Assault Statistics
According to Victims of Crime, the percentage of aggravated assault and attempted murder victimizations, like the 29-year-old victim in the above case suffered, reported to the police in 2012 was 62 percent. Statistics released by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) last September in the agency’s report are listed below and as stated on the website.
Among some of the other statistics contained under Crime in the United States, 2015:
- The estimated number of murders in the nation was 15,696.
- During the year, there were an estimated 90,185 rapes. (This figure currently reflects UCR’s legacy definition)
- There were an estimated 327,374 robberies nationwide, which accounted for an estimated $390 million in losses (average dollar value of stolen property per reported robbery was $1,190).
- Firearms were used in 71.5 percent of the nation’s murders, 40.8 percent of robberies, and 24.2 percent of aggravated assaults.
An innocent victim of a violent crime can lose their physical and mental health, their overall well-being, and possibly their life due to another person’s crime or negligence. Whether you or a loved one has been affected by a motor vehicle accident, a felonious assault, an attempted murder through a stabbing or gun violence, or domestic violence, the repercussions can last a lifetime.
What Victims Can Do After An Attack
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a violent crime, you need to contact an attorney who specializes in representing crime victims to find out what your rights are and the compensation you are entitled to.
Victims of crime just like the man who tried to stop an argument, have the right to a variety of compensations and civil remedies against the perpetrator in their case. A victim of a crime may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Counseling
- Lost Wages
- Replacement Services
- Clean-up at the Crime Scene
- Funeral Expenses
These types of compensation will aid a victim of crime in progressing forward in his or her life in a healthy manner.
