Staff Editorial | Vigilantes get violent

Everyone loves a superhero story – civilians taking a stand against wrong-doers. And let’s be honest, with three shootings in one night, a rape and a rampage in the last two weeks, Philly is starting to sound more like Gotham than the City of Brotherly Love.

While vigilante justice makes for good blockbusters, it does not have a place in our city. Citizens need to look after one another, but violence should never be a part of that equation.

A number of Philadelphians, however, are celebrating such violence. A mob of Kensington residents who confronted and assaulted a suspected rapist last Tuesday, received a hero’s welcome .

The victim, Jose Carrasquillo was charged in the case of an 11-year-old girl who had been raped on her way to school the Monday before.

The girl’s injuries were so severe that she required surgery – sparking outrage and a manhunt that culminated in an act of brutal vigilante violence, leaving Carrasquillo in critical condition at Temple University Hospital.

While many are relieved to have Carrasquillo off the streets, there is no excuse for the beating. The mob went beyond simply restraining Carrasquillo before police could intervene, with one participant using a bat while others kicked the suspect.

Perhaps the most disturbing twist involves Mayor Michael Nutter, who instead of outright condemning the violence, expressed his understanding for the mob’s actions and commended their passion for their community. Furthermore, none of the participants were arrested. Two were given a monetary reward.

And while it may be hard to muster sympathy for Carrasquillo, whose DNA has since been linked to the rape scene, perhaps we can look to Michael Zenquis as an example of the danger of vigilantism. On the day of Carrasquillo’s capture, Zenquis told police he was mistook for the alleged rapist and attacked by a separate mob.

It is our job to look out for each other, but let’s leave doling out justice to the professionals.

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