Teenage victim identified in Citrus County murder

Investigators have identified the man who was found murdered in Citrus County on Monday night.

[Anonymous]

This is too depressing...

[Jessica]

i think the person who shot ben is very wrong & should get the death sentence,t was pre-meditated and if he took someones life on purpose, his too should be taken

[Annoymous]

i loved ben with every inch of me, this guy should get the death penalty

[Anonymous]

Its not like Ben didn't have it coming. It is a shame he died, but when you live by the sword you die by the sword, so to speak. And I seriously doubt the murder was premeditative. Just the result of gang rift or little boys trying to be cool. The death penalty is for those whose crime is atrocious. Ben could have just as easily killed his shooter; both boys probably were in gangs as it is.

[julie]

ben was trouble,sold drugs, all for himself. get real, it was just a matter of time if he did not change

[Mike Fee]

Anonymous wrote:

Its not like Ben didn't have it coming. It is a shame he died, but when you live by the sword you die by the sword, so to speak. And I seriously doubt the murder was premeditative. Just the result of gang rift or little boys trying to be cool. The death penalty is for those whose crime is atrocious. Ben could have just as easily killed his shooter; both boys probably were in gangs as it is.

Ben didn't have it coming and he didn't live by the sword you prick, anyone who plays God by putting a bullet in someone's head needs to be ready to pay with his life. I can't believe this scumbag had the balls to come to the funeral and wake to watch me and my family cry over Ben. I have known my brother Tim, Ben's father, for 41 years and never held him while he cried. Screw all of you who think Ben deserved this in any way.

[Mike Fee]

Ben didn't have it coming and he didn't live by the sword you prick, anyone who plays God by putting a bullet in someone's head needs to be ready to pay with his life. I can't believe this scumbag had the balls to come to the funeral and wake to watch me and my family cry over Ben. I have known my brother Tim, Ben's father, for 41 years and never held him while he cried. Screw all of you who think Ben deserved this in any way.

[cheryfee]

my son ben was the light of my life, he said he loved me every day, he was
protective of me and his sister and was the man of our house.....before you judge him for his actions on this earth consider how you would feel if it were your brother or your son.....the only one to be judged now is the shooter.....

[student]

I remember Ben Fee from middle school, he was a highly respected person for the way he treated others actually...and his skating skills...lol
I'm sorry for your loss.=/

[Someone Who Knows]

Anonymous wrote:

Its not like Ben didn't have it coming. It is a shame he died, but when you live by the sword you die by the sword, so to speak. And I seriously doubt the murder was premeditative. Just the result of gang rift or little boys trying to be cool. The death penalty is for those whose crime is atrocious. Ben could have just as easily killed his shooter; both boys probably were in gangs as it is.

You assume too much, we are talking Crystal River NOT New York City. We don't have Gangs like a big city, maybe a few wannabe's.

[an old friend]

i truly am sorry that Ben died.we use to hang out with Ben back in jacksonville.I think it is disturbing on so many levels that someone could point a gun at someone let alone pull the trigger.Everyone will miss Ben.

[Anonymous - part one]

First off, I would like to express my sympathy for Ben's mother (and sister) and uncle that have posted on this thread. I am so very sorry for your loss; Ben was your son and nephew and it's only right that you should be grieving for him. You loved him after all. Likewise, if my earlier thread hurt or offended anyone, my apologies.
I would also like to clarify what I wrote earlier. First off, I would like to say that there is a logical difference between saying that someone deserved to die and saying that the person had it coming. For example, when one says that someone "deserves it" he is in fact passing judgment on that person. In short, whenever this phrase is used, the speaker is damming or praising that person depending upon the context.
However, when someone says the line "a person had it coming", this means that the circumstances in that person's life (his actions, behavior, environment, etc) were what brought about a specific result (be that result positive or negative in nature).
For example, if someone on drugs dies of an overdose, an observation can be made that that person had it coming. This in no way implies that the drug user "deserved" such a fate. In my opinion, only God can make such claims about whether that person deserved it or not. I for one, have no place to judge anyone in this life, and especially not whether a person deserves to live or die.
So, in NO WAY did I ever imply that Ben "deserved" what happened to him. However, I did say that Ben's death was brought about by the way he chose to live his life.
Take another example; say a man walks home every night on a train track. Finally, one night he gets hit by a train and dies. Can one not see how the man's death was only a matter of time? This is the point I was trying to make with my first post.
The way Ben chose to live his life, dealing in drugs, guns, etc, brought about his death. I am sorry if this truth hurts, yet if Ben did not change his behavior (i.e. stop walking on the train tracks) it was only a matter of time. From what I read, this wasn't the first time he was shot at.
I am reminded of a friend of mine whose son died in a car crash. I remember her being extremely sad throughout this event. Yet, she told me that even though she was grieving daily for him, she knew in her heart that he had this coming. Every day she would tell him not to speed when he went driving. Yet, everyday he still continued to speed anyways. Then one night there was an ice storm and he was speeding and he lost control of the car.
Now, there is no way that that boy's mother ever thought her son "deserved" what happened to him, however she knew that in life there is always consequences for one's actions.

[Anonymous - part two]

(This is the second part of the post.)

Also, I originally posted on this thread in response to earlier posts that say that Chris should get the death penalty. First off, if Chris is convicted he should go to jail in punishment for his crimes, yet despite how tragic his crime was it was not a case that merits the death penalty. I am sorry, but those crimes have to be atrocious (think innocents being murdered or serial killer proportions). Those, in my opinion, are cases to even consider the death penalty on.

Sadly, and this is probably where many of you will again be offended (so apologies in advance), Chris and Ben were not all that different. In fact, it is an invalid statement to say that "horrible, blood-thirsty Chris shot an innocent and honorable Ben," likewise it is also invalid to say "honorable, justice-avenging Chris rid the world of a horror that was Ben." No polar opposites can be used here. Both boys were troubled and both boys were equivalent. As I said before, Ben could have just as easily shot Chris, and much as the vice versa is true.

One could say and be logically correct, both boys were good people (though many would disagree to the truth behind this), or both boys were troubled brats. Sorry, to describe them the boys as polar opposites of each other is illogical and incorrect. Yet, I feel that this is what is happening here. This is probably a result of canonizing the deceased; i.e. when someone dies they are automatically saints in the minds of their survivors and outsiders. We do not want to say the words “Ben” and “troubled kid” in the same sentence.

I do know that saying these things can be painful. In fact, saying both boys were “troubled” can be painful, especially when you know personally one of the two boys (as I do). It’s very easy to try to go in denial about it, and very human.

And since I'm at it, I'll respond to another person's thread: Yes, gangs do exist in Crystal River of all places, as sad as that sounds. Need I remind everyone of the Michael Reeves incident that happened years ago? What was it, the Falk Nation gang that was behind the tragic event? And besides, even wannabe gangs with guns can still be deadly.

[Anonymous]

First off, I would like to express my sympathy for Ben's mother (and sister) and uncle that have posted on this thread. I am so very sorry for your loss; Ben was your son and nephew and it's only right that you should be grieving for him. You loved him after all. Likewise, if my earlier thread hurt or offended anyone, my apologies.

I would also like to clarify what I wrote earlier. First off, I would like to say that there is a logical difference between saying that someone deserved to die and saying that the person had it coming. For example, when one says that someone "deserves it" he is in fact passing judgment on that person. In short, whenever this phrase is used, the speaker is damming or praising that person depending upon the context.

However, when someone says the line "a person had it coming", this means that the circumstances in that person's life (his actions, behavior, environment, etc) were what brought about a specific result (be that result positive or negative in nature).

For example, if someone on drugs dies of an overdose, an observation can be made that that person had it coming. This in no way implies that the drug user "deserved" such a fate. In my opinion, only God can make such claims about whether that person deserved it or not. I for one, have no place to judge anyone in this life, and especially not whether a person deserves to live or die.

So, in NO WAY did I ever imply that Ben "deserved" what happened to him. However, I did say that Ben's death was brought about by the way he chose to live his life.

Take another example; say a man walks home every night on a train track. Finally, one night he gets hit by a train and dies. Can one not see how the man's death was only a matter of time? This is the point I was trying to make with my first post.

The way Ben chose to live his life, dealing in drugs, guns, etc, brought about his death. I am sorry if this truth hurts, yet if Ben did not change his behavior (i.e. stop walking on the train tracks) it was only a matter of time. From what I read, this wasn't the first time he was shot at.

I am reminded of a friend of mine whose son died in a car crash. I remember her being extremely sad throughout this event. Yet, she told me that even though she was grieving daily for him, she knew in her heart that he had this coming. Every day she would tell him not to speed when he went driving. Yet, everyday he still continued to speed anyways. Then one night there was an ice storm and he was speeding and he lost control of the car.

Now, there is no way that that boy's mother ever thought her son "deserved" what happened to him, however she knew that in life there is always consequences for one's actions.

[To The Fee Family]

This is a tragedy. I do not know this family, but as a mother I can certainly understand the pain and grief his mother, father and sister must be suffering. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

[To Chery Fee]

chery fee wrote:

my son ben was the light of my life, he said he loved me every day, he was
protective of me and his sister and was the man of our house.....before you judge him for his actions on this earth consider how you would feel if it were your brother or your son.....the only one to be judged now is the shooter.....

Dear Miss Fee,

I am truly so sorry for your loss. My mind won't allow me to even imagine what kind of pain and grief you are suffering. I have read some of the comments posted. I am taking this opportunity to tell you your son was a good boy. I did not know your son, but I have a son and a daughter...and as mothers we only want our kids to grow up and find some happiness in life...your son, perhaps, was in the wrong place at the wrong time...he didn't have the opportunity to mature and find a better path...I have been touched by this story and I just wanted you to know that. Sincerely, Denise

[Ian]

To Chery and her daughter,

I have followed the tragic events this poor family have suffered.The grief these poor people are experiencing is unimaginable and I extend my own sympathy to them.

[anon]

i understand bens real father is on his way over.
now lets see who is tough.
he is a kind gentle man but !!!

[Helen]

Prayer helps. Lets all pray for the families of these two boys. The paper said they were both from good families. Both mothers and fathers lost their children. We need to pray for peace only the peace Jesus brings. We do not know why , but everything works out for the good to those that love God. Both of those families need our love, our prayers and support.

[cheryfee]

Anonymous - part one wrote:

First off, I would like to express my sympathy for Ben's mother (and sister) and uncle that have posted on this thread. I am so very sorry for your loss; Ben was your son and nephew and it's only right that you should be grieving for him. You loved him after all. Likewise, if my earlier thread hurt or offended anyone, my apologies.
I would also like to clarify what I wrote earlier. First off, I would like to say that there is a logical difference between saying that someone deserved to die and saying that the person had it coming. For example, when one says that someone "deserves it" he is in fact passing judgment on that person. In short, whenever this phrase is used, the speaker is damming or praising that person depending upon the context.
However, when someone says the line "a person had it coming", this means that the circumstances in that person's life (his actions, behavior, environment, etc) were what brought about a specific result (be that result positive or negative in nature).
For example, if someone on drugs dies of an overdose, an observation can be made that that person had it coming. This in no way implies that the drug user "deserved" such a fate. In my opinion, only God can make such claims about whether that person deserved it or not. I for one, have no place to judge anyone in this life, and especially not whether a person deserves to live or die.
So, in NO WAY did I ever imply that Ben "deserved" what happened to him. However, I did say that Ben's death was brought about by the way he chose to live his life.
Take another example; say a man walks home every night on a train track. Finally, one night he gets hit by a train and dies. Can one not see how the man's death was only a matter of time? This is the point I was trying to make with my first post.
The way Ben chose to live his life, dealing in drugs, guns, etc, brought about his death. I am sorry if this truth hurts, yet if Ben did not change his behavior (i.e. stop walking on the train tracks) it was only a matter of time. From what I read, this wasn't the first time he was shot at.
I am reminded of a friend of mine whose son died in a car crash. I remember her being extremely sad throughout this event. Yet, she told me that even though she was grieving daily for him, she knew in her heart that he had this coming. Every day she would tell him not to speed when he went driving. Yet, everyday he still continued to speed anyways. Then one night there was an ice storm and he was speeding and he lost control of the car.
Now, there is no way that that boy's mother ever thought her son "deserved" what happened to him, however she knew that in life there is always consequences for one's actions.

If you are so smart why are you remaining anonymous???
Thank you for expressing your sympathy at least, but I am not really interested in your philosophy on right and wrong and consequences and walking the train tracks......what makes you so arrogant anyway?
I tried as his mother to first of all and most importantly show him he was loved and safe at home. His greatest disappointment in life was that he lacked a close relationship with his father. I had to be both mother and father, and worked too many hours, lots of nights and weekends too. My gift was the love he showed me as my son and my buddy. He was good to his friends and was able to show love to Lauren as a gentleman should, and it made me happy to see that because he didn't learn it from any man I knew.
The tragedy here is that our families have lost their sons, one to death and the other to jail. It doesn't matter whether CM gets life or death it won't bring Ben back.
Instead of talking all about having it coming or deserving this why don't you consider how you can work to improve gun safety in your community or something more worthwhile?