
SHENANDOAH, Penn., Aug. 13, 2008
Town Still Torn Over Immigrant Murder
Illegal Immigrant's Murder Brings Pennsylvania Town's Divisions To The Fore
-
Play CBS Video
Video
Crime Rips Apart Penn. Town
The beating death of a Mexican immigrant has divided the small town of Shenandoah, Penn. Four high school students, all on the football team, are the main suspects. Seth Doane reports.
-
-
Photo
Collin Walsh, 17, is one of four teens charged in connection with the murder of Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, Penn., July 12, 2008. (CBS)
-
Photo
Luis Ramirez, seen here pictured with one of his three children, was beaten to death in Shenandoah, Penn., July 12, 2008. (CBS)
-
-
Interactive
Crime Beat
Statistics and specifics on crime in America.
-
Video Archive
Hot Topic: Immigration
Video Coverage: CBS News examines the heated debate over immigration in the United States.
- Painful Lifestyle Changes
- The Restaurant That Needs A Miracle
- Learning The Value Of $1
- Life In A Tent City
- Family On The Brink
- Commuter Costs Hurt Home Health Aides
- When Basic Dental Care Isn't There
- Small Kitchen; Big Heart
- Summertime Lunches For Kids In Need
- Food Stamp Crunch Intensifies
- When Disaster Strikes - Twice
- Snapshots Of Struggle In The Food Line
- Going South Of The Border For Diesel
The crime shocked people in this small, Appalachian town, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane. A late night street fight punctuated by ethnic slurs ended in Ramirez's death. Four high school students, all on the football team, are charged in connection with the homicide.
"I never thought there was such underlying hatred or bigotry," the town mayor said.
A group of girls that spoke to CBS News said they were shocked at the accused, "because they are nice boys."
"That's what I really don't understand," said one girl. "When I heard about it I was really surprised. I couldn't believe it was them."
Sixteen-year-old Brandon Piekarski and 17-year-old Colin Walsh were both charged with homicide. The football team's quarterback, 18-year-old Derrick Donchak, faces aggravated assault charges. The fourth teen's case is in juvenile court.
All of them, though, are charged with ethnic intimidation.
About a month after Ramirez's murder, some people aren't allowed to talk and others are still too frightened to. So trying to get a clear picture of what's really happening in Shenandoah isn't easy. And the answer changes, depending on whom you ask.
At a farmer's market, one woman emphatically denied noticing tension below the town's surface.
But Crystal Dillman, Ramirez's fiancé and mother of his three children, says she sees racism firsthand.
"It's pretty sad when you see the true sides of half of these people around here," she said. "It's not good when you go out and you have your small children and they're saying, 'Take your dirty Mexicans home and give them a bath.' "
Shenandoah has always been a magnet for migrants. Work in coal mines fueled a boom. But when the mines closed, people left and the population dropped to just over 5,500 today.
What has grown is the county's Hispanic population - up 65 percent since 2000 as a new wave of immigrants have come in search of jobs. Like "Cesar," who works in construction and said he knew Ramirez.
"After this happened I'm frightened to go out," he said through a translator. "You do go out, but not without watching your back."
White kids told CBS News they were scared and angry too - but from a different perspective.
"If that happened to a white person, every church in this god***n f***ing town wouldn't do a god***n thing about it," said one kid while pounding his fist to cheers from a surrounding group. "Just because they're f***ing border-jumpers and came over here."
"I can't say it without sounding racist," said another teenager. "I can't say, you know, the Mexicans came here and now there's problems."
"But is that how you feel?" asked Doane.
"Yeah … Obviously I've been here my whole life and I've never had a problem. Now there's problems," he responded.
The economic struggle here only aggravates any racial one. But even residents who just believe it was just a "terrible accident" say that's no excuse.
"It can't go unpunished," said the woman from the farmer's market. "Because it'll set a precedent that they can do that to the Mexican people."
While the community waits for justice, it holds a second vigil for Luis Ramirez, hoping for a future free of strife.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Video and Galleries from CBS Evening News
- Latest in CBS Evening News
- The Story Behind the Skating Babies
- Sagging Sales, Even in a Beach Paradise
- Grief, Outrage over Grave Desecrations



- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
...
- 7
- next
See all 348 CommentsI suggest that some readers find a copy of the US Constitution and begin to read it. Many loudmouths have gotten ugly and made immigration a theme of conversation just to voice their disapproval of people they don''t accept or understand. Most loud mouths aren''t even bilingual and don''t have a clue what happens in other countries.
Louis Ramirez had a constitutional guarantee to be treated better than he was. It was very unpatriotic to to be less than respectful to him, and highly unpatriotic to murder him.
No citizen of this nation should tolerate inhumane treatment of anyone, including aliens, whether legal or not.
The problem is not with the country that hosts a trouble maker, the problem is with the charactar of the troublemaker. In most countries, even a trouble maker has rights.
Totally evil to kill another human being whether they be legal or illegal.
Posted by Paganmama at 08:47 PM : Aug 13, 2008
So are most Americans. ssshhheeeeeeesssshhhhh
work on your spelling and English:1. American
2.feel ashamed of yourself
3.finding out that people DON''t care, not doesn''t care
4.legally
5.Fortunately
Hard to know if most Americans are gracious and humble. It seems that more and more many are not.
Paganmama is talking about the people in Mex. You started to talk about the government. Not the same
I went there, awesome!!!!
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/lillpop022707.htm
Why is this?
How much did CBS accept for this story
Another pro-illegal activity, pro-illegal immigration, pro-amnesty from mexico.
EXPLAIN AND UNDERSTAND.
They are not fooling me.
Why is this?
How much money did CBS accept for this story
Another pro-illegal activity, pro-illegal immigration, pro-amnesty from mexico.
EXPLAIN AND UNDERSTAND.
They are not fooling me.
Propaganda
EXPLAIN AND you UNDERSTAND.
For those of you who do not live in a state bordering Mexico, illegals other than Mexicans are crossing the border. People, weapons and dangerous material smuggling have become big business for the coyotes (not to forget the illegal drug trade).There are thousands of Mexicans who become legal citizens every year. I believe these are the people referred to as "a nation of immigrants". We absolutely welcome legal immigrants from all countries. Ask an illegal if they wish to become an American citizen. The majority do not. Understandable they want jobs to feed their families. The companies in America who employ illegals try to convince Americans these are jobs no American wants. This has been proven false multiple times when companies are raided, illegal workers removed and the Americans line up to fill those jobs. These young men chose the wrong solution (remember we need to wait to see if these young men are guilty) but this frustration is the result of our government not enforcing the laws
Arizona passed an employer sanctions law in January of this year. An employer knowingly hiring illegals can lose their license to do business in Arizona. Many of these workers are now going to other states so I see this issue increasing in towns all across America. Arizona''s major crimes have decreased 18% since January. Coincidence? Illegal immigrants cost Arizona taxpayers $3 billion dollars per year (does not include the millions spent cleaning the trash discarded while crossing nor the destruction to the Sonoran desert). These costs will now be coming to your state.This will be the end of America unless the borders are secured (with a legal worker program for labor we need). American can secure the border of Iraq but not our own borders?
Please get involved in your country and from time-to-time read news published outside of the U.S. to learn the entire story.
ILLEGAL immigrants, why can''t anybody get that right.
I agree
No country has given to the world more than the U.S. I also see the ugly American in foreign countries showing up acting like they are better than everyone else. I always try to show respect for other countries cultures, and their people. I find it makes my visits much more enjoyable. I will try any food offered although at times i find it repulsive. To not accept would be an insult to the people offering, and there have been times i have been pleasantly surprised. I enjoy my trtavels and obey their laws. Therefore when they come to our country i expect them to learn our language and abide by our laws as wqell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Joan1v at 10:53 PM :
MURDER, why can''t you get that right?
that they haven''t see the change at all
that they haven''''t see the change at all
Does your family watch the news or follow crime statistics? Do they have facts that counter this?
The racists in that town and those commenting here ought to go back to Euro-pee-on land where THEY belong. Talk about ********. Swim back. Maybe the Atlantic will take away your smell since the world knows you you stink badly.
I hope they will get the maximum and the justice rid us (society) of these sort of human being that should be brought out as an example of what no one should be. Murderers.
Annex Mexico??? You do realize that Mexico has a huge and vigorous economy? Why on earth would Mexico give up sovereignty and become "annexed"? Or do you think we should attempt an armed invasion?
Posted by annia1233
You must have read some other articles. This one just says there was a fight, implying that others were also fighting. Was it all of the boys against just one man?
do you realize that a large part of their vigorous economy comes from money transferred from the US? And with this vigorous economy, why are they living in such a state as to risk their lives to cross the border to come to the US. How about '''' Power to the People''''? instead of ''''Power Over the People''''? Let them decide instead of the tunnel vision approach of invade and conquer. Once again, If your not part of the solution, your part of the problem.
Your kidding right ? If Mexico has such a glorious economy then why are its citizens coming here illegally?
If the people of Africa or Asia had easy access to this country as does Latin America, they would be here too.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
...
- 7
- next
See all 348 Comments