Michael Brewer, Burned Over a Video Game, Friday, November 27, 2009

Does anyone remember Michael Brewer? The 15 year old boy from South Florida that was set on fire by his fellow classmates?

Well, if you don't, here's the run down. Last month police received a phone call with a pleading voice on the other end screaming for help and trying to explain that one of the students "just caught on fire". 

WFOR-TV: 911 Call (WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT) (WAV)


In the background, Michael screaming in agony after just being dosed with alcohol and lit on fire. Somehow, he found the pool and threw himself into it, saving his own life. The woman on the phone could barely tell the police where she was, clearly in shock from the tragic and hateful crime.

What I find crazy and disturbing is when the woman on the phone was asked how this happen, she promptly asked Michael but he replied only with, "I don't know! I don't know!" Even after the trauma and arriving in the emergency room he still said he did not know who did this to him.

In another call made by another woman, the dispatcher asks: "They put gas on him and they lit him on fire?" She replies: "Uh-huh." In all, authorities recorded calls totaling 28 minutes, some rather calm, detached reporting of the facts, while the boy's anguish is evident in others.

This is a picture of Michael in the emergency room.

Five teenagers were charged with aggravated battery in the burning Monday, October 12 which authorities said was prompted by a dispute over a video game that escalated when someone tried to steal a bicycle that belonged to the burned boy's father.


Insane? Horrific? What-the-hell-is-this-world-coming-to? Yes, yes, and yes. When you were a freshman in high school, could you ever believe someone your own age could light another classmate on fire? I cannot imagine the tragedy I would feel if it did.

One of the teens accused flicked a lighter after Brewer was doused with rubbing alcohol. He faces an attempted second-degree murder charge. All of the teens at that time faced the possibility of having their cases moved to adult court.

Michael Brewer received skin grafts, therapy, and surgery.

Updated this past Wednesday, Good Morning America reported that the younger brother of one of the boys accused, friend of Michael Brewer, and also witness to the event, came out to police today to give more details of the incident.

Another thing I find hard to imagine, choosing to condemn your brother to a fate decided by the justice system.

Because of the new evidence, the five boys accused are being tried as adults. Trial has not begun.

Moral of the day: Don't leave any flammable substances in the reach of your raging, rebellious kids. Don't play with fire. Keep track of the water sources around you at all times.