Parkour related death in Sacramento?

Lonnie · 11-02-2009, 06:44 PM

Hi All,

I hope this is appropriate to post here. I just saw this news report and I came here thinking there may already be a discussion but I couldnt find one.

Here's the report: 'Parkour Investigated In Teen's Death'

Does anyone know if he had ties to his local community or anything? My deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Bagheera · 11-02-2009, 06:57 PM

Kenny came and practiced a few times with us awhile back, he also ran the run to feed the hungry with us. He lived in Elk Grove I think. I can remember that whenever he'd practice with us, he wouldn't do too much, really shy kid, really nice too, and by training with him the few times I did, I don't think he would have tried anything big, nor do I think he would have tried anything dangerous.

I wonder if he was with anybody? He was so young and lived kinda far away, why would he be "doing parkour" alone in Downtown Sacramento at a dangerous place. It just doesn't seem right.

I feel sorry for his family. I hope they're okay.

drow · 11-02-2009, 07:08 PM

yeah, the story seems kind of sketchy to me too. i dont know him, but from the descriptions i doubt he would have tried anything like jumping off a parkour garage. unfortunetly this could have repercussions on the image of parkour (or at least in the sac area).

is this the first parkour related (or possibly related) death?

RyogaVee · 11-02-2009, 07:31 PM

Holy shit, they used me in their video montage, I'm kinda pissed.

I agree with the rest of you. I highly doubt he was doing Parkour when this happen.

My thoughts go out to the family.

Bagheera · 11-02-2009, 07:40 PM

I don't think he was doing parkour, unless he was trying to get away from serious danger. I don't think any traceur in our community, no matter what skill level, would do something that dangerous.

When we train, we don't go on roof tops, we progress slowly and if something is dangerous, we spot each other, and we only do what we know we can do. Sure, I used to go on rooftops when I was younger, but that was years and years ago, and it was always a safe environment because I knew exactly what I was doing, and I wasn't jumping over huge drops.

When we get beginners, we warm up and tell them why we warm up, we tell them NO ROOF TOPS and to not do anything unless they know they can do it, and that if they accidentally don't make it, that they will be okay. We teach them proper landing techniques, proper running form, strength training exercises, QM, rolls, and simple vaults. Safety is ALWAYS #1.

No matter what happened, the image of Parkour will be dented, that is inevitable, we just have to hope for the best, keep pushing that safety is first in all things, and just keep training.

My heart goes out to Kenny's family.

I love you guys.

Bagheera · 11-02-2009, 07:53 PM

Wait, It wasn't the run to feed the hungry that he ran with us, it was the run for the cure of cancer awhile back, and that's where we first met Kenny.

Keep Kenny's family in your prayers everyone.

drow · 11-02-2009, 07:54 PM

way to misquote someone "its potentially lethal...."

and "no serious parkour injuries are known. because they dont happen (sounds kind of sarcastic) or because NOBODY REPORTS THEM" sigh great lol

its so sad that he died, and even worse that people are saying that he was engaging in "reckless behavior"

Impetus · 11-02-2009, 07:58 PM

Ya it does seem a little odd, especially from Victor's description of him, to be up there training. . . I feel sorry for his family and friends, he sounded like a pretty nice kid.

And KRCA most definitely made parkour sound like a CRIME. So uncool.

2nd Chance · 11-02-2009, 08:13 PM

The way I see it, if he was doing parkour (which I doubt), he was either going against what the community tried to teach him (which I also doubt), or he was in trouble. If he wasn't, then he fell. He's kinda gone either way, so for now, thoughts to the family. It'll be sorted out later.

Bagheera · 11-02-2009, 08:15 PM

Thanks for your support guys.

BobTheKing · 11-02-2009, 08:53 PM

I think it is most important to recognize that anytime someone so young dies, it is tragic. That is paramount.

This situation does, however, effect us as a community, so immediate action needed to be taken. I talked with Victor and some other members, then contacted Caroline Becker, the producer of KCRA's evening to get our footage removed. I do not know the laws for using footage on YouTube, but I am certain Channel 3 knows what they are doing, so unfortunately they will not remove it. The good news is that Caroline appeared to be receptive to a press release...so here is what I gave her:

"I have spoken with the evening producer, and have voiced concern regarding the representation of our discipline, Parkour. Although it is tragic what has happened to the Elk Grove teen, our group practices Parkour with an emphasis on safety and very gradual progression. I personally have never trained with the teen mentioned, but from what we have seen on the news, no one would attempt a drop like the one shown. The techniques in our videos are carefully choreographed in a progressive manner ensuring safety. We would just like to see our sport represented properly, and not displayed in a negative manner because of an unfortunate incident that may not even be related. We are very community-oriented and demonstrate a great deal of care, concern, and respect for everyone."

All I could whip up in a jiff, hopefully it helps.

Bagheera · 11-02-2009, 09:09 PM

Thanks Bob, those words were good.

I hope they find out what happened.

drow · 11-02-2009, 09:13 PM

i hope they find out too. whether its parkour related or not, i think its very important to everyone that they find out

BENNY · 11-02-2009, 09:25 PM

HOLY SHIT, this is FUBAR!

shit this is way too real guys! disturbing stuff.

i think its likely he was climbing and lost his grip. either that or he was under attack.

Jesus, don't ever go parkour up on a height that is lethal!

2 story is fine, 3 stories fall would still survive, but anything more than 3 is lethal!

parkour has risk of injury, so dont ever do a move that taht yo are unsure of, that you haven't worked up to and visualized successfully!

most moves, if failed, can result in scraps, cuts, sprains.

always weight out your ability to risk ratio, if its less than 90/10, dont do it!

poor kid, wut the hell!!!

RyogaVee · 11-02-2009, 09:56 PM

The best thing we can do is voice our option as a community and let them (The Station) know that what we practice is that of safety and discipline. People fall and die everyday in America and not once does the media blame Parkour. Its only in the unique incident where they spent more time developing a story rather than the facts is this even an issue.

They spoke of the community, but did they even once reach out that get a statement from one of us, or those who lead classes and meets in Sac?

Sadly the damage is done. And we'll all feel the blunt form this. because of these stories, its harder for us to go out and train. Security is more likely to stop us, cops are more likely to harass us. The public is more likely to fear us.

If anyone is old enough to remember the blacklash the goth community got after Columbine. These types of stories lead to that kind of misinformation.

~ Ryoga

BENNY · 11-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyogaVee

Sadly the damage is done. And we'll all feel the blunt form this. because of these stories, its harder for us to go out and train. Security is more likely to stop us, cops are more likely to harass us. The public is more likely to fear us.

If anyone is old enough to remember the blacklash the goth community got after Columbine. These types of stories lead to that kind of misinformation.

~ Ryoga

this is terrible, Parkour is gonna get restricted.

Beretta · 11-02-2009, 10:03 PM

Guys a drop of far less than this can be lethal if something goes wrong. A 3 foot drop onto your head the right way can kill you. I remember Kenny from the Susan Komen Run for the Cure and he was very nice.

Good job responding Bob, it's sad how quickly this NBC affiliate was willing to place the blame on our discipline though they made no effort to talk to any of us, and had no evidence, only speculation to back up their report.

Before we do anything else, let's take a moment to think.

I see three major things:

1. A need for us all to reflect, as individuals and as a community.

2. What can we do to help his family and friends, if anything? Is there a memorial fund, can we donate money to help with funeral expenses? Not because we think he was "doing parkour," but because he was a good kid we wish we'd gotten to know better, and because we empathize with a community's grief.

3. Should we as a community, start a petition, or organize a boycott of KCRA and all NBC affiliates until they either offer a retraction or allow traceurs to speak about what parkour truly is?

Meatlad · 11-02-2009, 10:05 PM

This is terribly tragic news. My sincerest condolences to the family. I met him during the Komen Race for the Cure but I don't think I said more than a few words to him. I hope we all find out what led to this terrible tragedy.

And I hope anyone not already in our community who is reading this takes the opportunity to go to a SacPK session to see how safe, supportive and responsible those guys are.

Beretta · 11-02-2009, 10:08 PM

Let's stay positive and willingly meet the questions the misinformed may have with open hearts, open minds and keep in mind that grief often looks for any outlet.

Meatlad · 11-02-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beretta

2. What can we do to help his family and friends, if anything? Is there a memorial fund, can we donate money to help with funeral expenses? Not because we think he was "doing parkour," but because he was a good kid we wish we'd gotten to know better, and because we empathize with a community's grief.

3. Should we as a community, start a petition, or organize a boycott of KCRA and all NBC affiliates until they either offer a retraction or allow traceurs to speak about what parkour truly is?

Let's not do anything at this point. Give the family some space. If anyone from the community is especially close to Kenny or his family, it is appropriate to offer condolences. We don't know what happened, and should let them grieve.

No, I don't think we should boycott the station or draw any more undue attention between any alleged association of this boy's death and parkour. This isn't about us, it's about Kenny, and it might anger his family to see us acting out of what would be perceived as selfishness. Especially if they view the parkour community responsible for his death in any way. They would see that as insult to mortal injury. Let them address this next.

Bob, thank you for your statement, but I'd like to ask that no one else contact either the station or the family about this matter. Hopefully the tragedy won't grow into a legal matter as well, but you never know, so please be as careful with your words as with your practice of parkour.