Scott Harris, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Iraq and Ukraine, experienced a horrific attack while walking his dog in Philadelphia’s Brewerytown neighborhood Saturday night. Speaking to NBC10, the 62-year-old said “That night on Saturday, there was a huge party going on over here, a little bit out of control but nothing terribly concerning to me. Next thing you know, I’m in the emergency room getting stitches.” He was brutally beaten and robbed by a crowd of people, was left with a brain injury and needed at least 100 stitches.
The attack was particularly heartbreaking for Harris, since the only item in his wallet that he was worried about losing was his late mother’s driver’s license, which had been in his wallet for 10 years. “Sadly, only thing I really cared about in that wallet was my mother’s driver’s license,” he said. “She passed about 10 years ago. That’s kind of how I kept her close and now I don’t even have that.”
At least, Harris was able to make it home, thanks to three women who helped him. His partner, Joseph Hurchick, called 911 upon finding him bleeding on the stoop of their home. “We were on the stoop and he was just bleeding, I was on the phone with 911, I didn’t know where the blood was coming from, I didn’t know if he was stabbed,” Hurchick said.
Harris’ experience is a stark reminder of the danger faced by those living in some parts of American cities. He commented that his tour of duty in Iraq and Ukraine paled in comparison to the violence he experienced in his own neighborhood: “That experience I had in the middle of the night in Philadelphia was more violent then any experience I had in the Navy.” His partner bemoaned the lack of action taken against the neighborhood parties and large crowds, saying “It’s going to take a murder for this to stop.”
It’s nourishing to see those willing to speak up about the dangers faced by inner city life and its inhabitants. Tragedies such as what happened to Scott Harris should never happen, and it’s even more heartbreaking to see them happen in our own cities. How many more people need to suffer or die before something is done?
A Navy veteran was beaten unconscious and robbed while walking his dog in Philly's Brewerytown neighborhood. He spoke with @FrancesWangTV about the priceless item that was stolen from him. Full story and video HERE: https://t.co/XTJLMquEdk pic.twitter.com/kWmI5Jh603
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) August 30, 2023
It’s unclear what exactly is going to be done; however, we can all do something to raise awareness and help in our own way. Whether it’s becoming informed and giving donations, or reaching out to the police, it’s imperative that changes are implemented to protect the vulnerable. All of our lives, no matter where we come from or what we do, deserve to be respected and valued.