Georgia Lottery winner killed during home invasion

Jan 21, 2016, 1:49 pm (96 comments)

Georgia Lottery

"Don't do it in front of my kids"

FITZGERALD, Ga. — A Fitzgerald, Georgia, man who recently won a nearly half-million dollar Georgia lottery jackpot was murdered overnight Thursday during a home invasion robbery.

20-year-old Craigory Burch, Jr died from gunshot wounds  at a home on Stubbs Avenue.   

Burch won a $434,272 Fantasy 5 jackpot in November 2015. 

GBI agents spent the overnight hours collecting evidence from the home.

Officials say Jasmine Hendricks, Burch's girlfriend, was in the home at the time and ran for help. 

Three masked robbers blasted open the door with a shotgun and held Burch at gunpoint, demanding his money and wallet, she said.

"When they came in, he said, 'Don't do it bro. Don't do it in front of my kids. Please don't do it in front of my kids and old lady,'" she told the local station. "He said I'll give you my bank card."

Burch then threw his pants to the robbers, who rummaged through the clothes to find his wallet. When the search came up short, the three shot and killed him before fleeing. 

Right now there is no word on any suspects.

Burch, a forklift driver, bought his winning ticket on Nov. 29 from a gas station and won the $434,272 jackpot prize.

"My right eye and hand had jumped for the past two weeks," Burch explained in December, saying he had a feeling this was a lucky ticket.

"I knew that I would come into money."

His friends said he used his winnings to help buy Christmas presents for people in need. His mother, Leslie Collins, gave a tearful message to the thieves behind the slaying on Thursday: 

"I want them to know what they took from me. They took a part of my life away from me."

If you have any information about the murder contact the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office at 229-426-5161.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

WALB, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

I'll bet he knew his attackers.

He either bragged at work, the others were jealous.

Or a drug deal went bad.

music*'s avatarmusic*

 Lottery winners must prepare themselves for major changes in how they live and donate and more.             Donations must be made anonymously so that the poor do not know who to beg from. Keep it all at arms length. 

 Back in the late 1990's Lottery winner, Billy Bob Harrell of Texas openly donated turkey dinners to the poor and he could not say "NO" to anyone. He killed himself soon after.

 Americans in general, are too generous. Generous to a fault.

Patriot

Winner$inDC's avatarWinner$inDC

This is very sad, he was so young.

fatedtowin87

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jan 21, 2016

I'll bet he knew his attackers.

He either bragged at work, the others were jealous.

Or a drug deal went bad.

It's sad but I have to agree. I'll bet his attackers were either people he knew or set up to kill him by someone he was close to. This is why when I win, I'm going to stay 100% anonymous. If I donate to charity, it will be anonymous. If I have to do a press conference it will be in a clown suit complete with a wig and face mask while I alter my voice. Then 24/7 security at my new home in a different state, and I'm not telling a soul that I won the lottery. If people ask I'll say I'm just independently wealthy and keep it at that. And most importantly no hand outs to family or friends, unless it's coming from a trust.

crazyjaney

This is totally tragic.  I really hope the ga legislature passes a law that allows for anonymous claims.  There is a bill out there now but the state wants to withhold 25% of the winnings for that privledge.  And that is not the way to go either.

sweetie7398's avatarsweetie7398

Absolutely terrible

crazyjaney

Yes.  Very, very  good advice about donating quietly.    And absolutely winners need to protect themselves and keep quiet about it.    The less people that know the better.

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Quote: Originally posted by crazyjaney on Jan 21, 2016

This is totally tragic.  I really hope the ga legislature passes a law that allows for anonymous claims.  There is a bill out there now but the state wants to withhold 25% of the winnings for that privledge.  And that is not the way to go either.

25% FOR THE PRIVLEDGE?  By ALLOWING you to claim anonymously?   This is insane, here we go again, the politicians get their greedy hands on $$$$.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Lurking

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Love the internet detectives!! What a hoot!

A life was lost....so sad.

ICUNod

see, that's why they should let all winners remain anonymous.

JoshUK

What a shame.....

CTNY's avatarCTNY

Ridiculous

sully16's avatarsully16

RIP, Hope the bad guys get caught.

noise-gate

My condolesenses to the Burch Family. Which raises an important question : Do you have to show your face when picking up your cheque or forced to give press conference?  I am sticking with my Nixon mask,  come hell or high water.

ANTONIO1109's avatarANTONIO1109

For the Love of money is the root of all evil, says the bible. People will do any and everything for money. And its ashame this young man had to lose his life for his money. I pray the cowards get caught and is giving the death penalty.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

These are dangerous times; there are few who can be trusted, so be on your guard.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

He didn't get a chance to enjoy his win. Probably a jealous person did this.  Hopefully the murderer will be caught and jailed for life.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jan 21, 2016

My condolesenses to the Burch Family. Which raises an important question : Do you have to show your face when picking up your cheque or forced to give press conference?  I am sticking with my Nixon mask,  come hell or high water.

People in my state have their pictures taken holding huge $700 checks and I've often thought it's those winners and winners under $5000 would be robbed. It's because they are paid cash and the average thief is smart enough to know most people don't have almost 1/2 million in cash in their homes.

There is no holding a huge check photo requirement in KY especially winnings under $25,000 and the players getting their picture taken after hitting a pick-3 are doing it by choice.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jan 21, 2016

I'll bet he knew his attackers.

He either bragged at work, the others were jealous.

Or a drug deal went bad.

I Agree!, probably any or all those reasons.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by TheGameGrl on Jan 21, 2016

Love the internet detectives!! What a hoot!

A life was lost....so sad.

I Agree!

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Claiming anonymously is fine, and if a person can, I'm all for it.

However, I think in this case he wasn't robbed and killed because he couldn't claim anonymously. He was donating and probably making it known he had money. If so, it wouldn't have mattered how he claimed his money.

But.....I could be wrong. I think time will tell.

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jan 21, 2016

My condolesenses to the Burch Family. Which raises an important question : Do you have to show your face when picking up your cheque or forced to give press conference?  I am sticking with my Nixon mask,  come hell or high water.

The rules typically say they can use your likeness to promote the lottery. You can show up in a Nixon mask, but don't expect to be wearing it for the press conference.

There's nowhere near enough information to be sure what's likely, but looking at the picture (that uses his likeness for promotional purposes) I'm inclined to think it wasn't strangers who found any of the minimal publicity that normally goes with winning a relatively modest sum.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Jan 21, 2016

People in my state have their pictures taken holding huge $700 checks and I've often thought it's those winners and winners under $5000 would be robbed. It's because they are paid cash and the average thief is smart enough to know most people don't have almost 1/2 million in cash in their homes.

There is no holding a huge check photo requirement in KY especially winnings under $25,000 and the players getting their picture taken after hitting a pick-3 are doing it by choice.

Out here in CA there is no requirement to appear before a full court press either Stack. I mentioned that part seeing that the late Mr Burch was shown with a cheque in hand.A few years ago we had an Asian lottery winner from across the Bay who refused an interview,  all he wanted was to collect his cheque and be left alone. He also took the Annuity deal. Won something like $200-300 mil and l * think was in his late 20 ' s or early 30's. Btw before l run into an English Professor l am correcting the word  into " Condolences"..so there, l said it! 

dr65's avatardr65

His age and probable elation and disbelief over winning a large sum of money most

likely played a big part in who knew. 20 years old? There are things you trust in that you

shouldn't and friends thrown in the mix of the same age do not help matters. Even if he

chose to remain anonymous, at the least, his girlfriend knew.

It's awesome to read he shared by giving gifts at Christmas and had he been alive longer,

he probably would have continued sharing. Such a shame to die by the hands of another

just 2 months after winning.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Very sad. I hope they catch the killer(s).

OneTrickpony's avatarOneTrickpony

Quote: Originally posted by crazyjaney on Jan 21, 2016

This is totally tragic.  I really hope the ga legislature passes a law that allows for anonymous claims.  There is a bill out there now but the state wants to withhold 25% of the winnings for that privledge.  And that is not the way to go either.

Withhold 25% to remain anonymous so that you and your family aren't put in harms way?!!  That's extortion in my book!  Greedy, greedy sons of...!

VenomV12

I highly doubt he was killed over any donations bringing him attention. Most likely being young and hanging with the wrong people was enough. Guessing he like most young guys his age with a ton of cash in their pockets probably bought a lot of expensive clothes, maybe a flashy car, probably started buying up the bar and club and going to the strip club with thousands of dollars in cash and someone probably decided to rob him. He wasn't the first and won't be the last. I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone he knew and trusted either. 

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by ANTONIO1109 on Jan 21, 2016

For the Love of money is the root of all evil, says the bible. People will do any and everything for money. And its ashame this young man had to lose his life for his money. I pray the cowards get caught and is giving the death penalty.

Where does it say he was killed for his money?  It doesn't.

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Jan 21, 2016

Where does it say he was killed for his money?  It doesn't.

The part that says home invasion. This man Was robbed and then killed.   It is tragic.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

I was saddened to hear of Mr. Burch's home attack, pain, and death. 

If his girlfriend wasn't involved, I feel sorry for her now probable chronic nightmares, anxieties, and low vibration feelings!

Wow, I hope that these home invaders and murder(s) are caught and stopped quickly. Thumbs Down

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Jan 21, 2016

The rules typically say they can use your likeness to promote the lottery. You can show up in a Nixon mask, but don't expect to be wearing it for the press conference.

There's nowhere near enough information to be sure what's likely, but looking at the picture (that uses his likeness for promotional purposes) I'm inclined to think it wasn't strangers who found any of the minimal publicity that normally goes with winning a relatively modest sum.

Just under 2 years ago Floyd,  a lottery winner from this neck of the woods took his press conference pic holding up his cheque from his neck up. My point being- what would be the difference showing up in a Nixon mask given the off chance that some zealous photographer decides to take a pic of you without your permission? Wanna check it out: look under Buxton/ lottery winner. 2014..

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Jan 21, 2016

Where does it say he was killed for his money?  It doesn't.

Bad people don't break into homes to steal candy or people's socks.

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Jan 21, 2016

Bad people don't break into homes to steal candy or people's socks.

Bad deeds or actions perhaps. But like fairies there is really no such thing as a "bad" person. Ill of mind, poor in social skills, lack of empathy, none of which can inclusively label a human bad. 

A parent has lost their son... that is a burden no one can label. May justice be swift for the life lost so senselessly. 

 

VenomV12

Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Jan 21, 2016

The rules typically say they can use your likeness to promote the lottery. You can show up in a Nixon mask, but don't expect to be wearing it for the press conference.

There's nowhere near enough information to be sure what's likely, but looking at the picture (that uses his likeness for promotional purposes) I'm inclined to think it wasn't strangers who found any of the minimal publicity that normally goes with winning a relatively modest sum.

If I recall correctly a man in Michigan claimed a jackpot and while he couldn't hide his name, he took the photo with the big check over his face and that is the photo that they published and obviously there wasn't a d@mn thing they could do about it. Pretty genius in my opinion. 

Todd's avatarTodd

I have updated the story with some more details.  It's heartbreaking.

travelintrucker's avatartravelintrucker

What exactly are you basing this on? How he looks in the photo? How about this? He just won a lot of money, had to go public, people who knew who he was were jealous and wanted a piece of the pie. So, they killed him for the money. THAT makes much more sense based on what we know. Saying it could've been a drug deal gone bad is just speculation and it makes you look prejudice.

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

there is a lot of talk about claiming anonymously. does that mean the lottery commission doesn't get to know who you are?  I also think that is absurd.  sure in a fair world , the gov has no need to know. but to ensure or at least to try and protect against corruption,. there has to be some checks and balances.

 

im for how it works here, as usual, the gov knows you and the tax office knows you, and the lottery commission  gets to investigate you. and you still remain  unknown to the public.

DG1USA

RIP young man. The world feels like a sadder place and I never even met him.

I hope the thugs are caught and get what is coming to them!

MzDuffleBaglady's avatarMzDuffleBaglady

Prayers going out to his family.

Lord Have Mercy!.

Romancandle's avatarRomancandle

Quote: Originally posted by travelintrucker on Jan 21, 2016

What exactly are you basing this on? How he looks in the photo? How about this? He just won a lot of money, had to go public, people who knew who he was were jealous and wanted a piece of the pie. So, they killed him for the money. THAT makes much more sense based on what we know. Saying it could've been a drug deal gone bad is just speculation and it makes you look prejudice.

I Agree!

prejudice... "preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience"

Not that any of that goes on around here LOL

Wow, that's a sad story.

OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Jan 21, 2016

I'll bet he knew his attackers.

He either bragged at work, the others were jealous.

Or a drug deal went bad.

I have encountered far more white people, rich white people, who either use and deal in drugs than Black people. I know you would not have written the same had the victim been a young Caucasian guy because that would be contrary to your perception of such people.

dr65's avatardr65

I didn't read the added details until now...that's a crying shame.

Forget the fact that he's black....he was a father, had a girlfriend, was someone's son and maybe brother too.

We don't know him but they will miss him. He's nothing to us except another lottery story gone bad.

The police need to catch the cowards that killed this guy.

I don't think your average thug thinks of others at Christmas time. I'm sure he had a good heart.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by OldSchoolPa on Jan 21, 2016

I have encountered far more white people, rich white people, who either use and deal in drugs than Black people. I know you would not have written the same had the victim been a young Caucasian guy because that would be contrary to your perception of such people.

I wrote that I think he knew his attackers, probably from him talking and donating gifts, giving away information that he came into money, OR, a drug deal gone bad. I reread my post, and I am certain I didn't mention black, or white. I too know white people that do drugs, and blacks also. I also know white people that would have nothing to do with drugs, and I know black people that would have nothing to do with drugs.

As far as you knowing me, well, fact is you don't know me.

lejardin's avatarlejardin

"Not in front of my kids and old lady " what a total waste and very sad for the whole family.  I hope the skumbags get caught very soon.

psykomo's avatarpsykomo

Psyko thinks it was a bunch of white drunk old or young people who stopped off at the Walmart in a Hurry and bought guns from a black clerk or a 

mexician  clerk or maby india clerk or possible a PC clerk who forgot to ask them to fill out paperwork cause clerk thought these things were toy's!!!

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

The lottery officials in this thread

Lottery officials say identifying winners a must

https://www.lotterypost.com/news/298687

need to consider these cases until the light comes on for them.

I live in a rural area and a few years back someone in another county hit the state lottery for several million.

File this under dumb criminals but the police -thank goodness - caught two creeps trying to break in to the guy's house and the wannabe crooks/ killers told the cops, "We know that's the millionaire's house so we thought if we got in we could kill him and get the money."

majestic1070's avatarmajestic1070

So sorry for this young mans death. He had to know the intruders or told someone and that someone told another person whom he probably told to keep quiet. He should have moved and only told certain people like his mom where he was moving because you can't expect to stay in the same neighborhood and someone not know you won.

 

When you win the lottery "You have NO Friends" and If you did have friends you have to keep giving them money to remain a friend. I really hope states let people remain anonymous.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by TheGameGrl on Jan 21, 2016

Bad deeds or actions perhaps. But like fairies there is really no such thing as a "bad" person. Ill of mind, poor in social skills, lack of empathy, none of which can inclusively label a human bad. 

A parent has lost their son... that is a burden no one can label. May justice be swift for the life lost so senselessly. 

 

You cant be serious with that remark.. No such thing as a bad person? 

Ever heard of Tomas De Torquemada?- The man who started the Spanish Inquisition which resulted in people being tortured to death?

How about Josef Mengele also known as the " Angel of Death"...

I guess Judas Iscariot was mentally ill huh?

.... brush up on history GameGrl.

The Hitman's avatarThe Hitman

Sad story. R.I.P.  This is part of the reason I think lottery winners should be entitled to remain anonymous.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

So sad Rest In Peace Craigory. I sure do hope they fine the thugs that did this.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by VenomV12 on Jan 21, 2016

I highly doubt he was killed over any donations bringing him attention. Most likely being young and hanging with the wrong people was enough. Guessing he like most young guys his age with a ton of cash in their pockets probably bought a lot of expensive clothes, maybe a flashy car, probably started buying up the bar and club and going to the strip club with thousands of dollars in cash and someone probably decided to rob him. He wasn't the first and won't be the last. I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone he knew and trusted either. 

There is not reports of him buying a flashy car, expensive clothes or going to the strip clubs so why say it????? There was a man that was killed when he bought a scratch off they believe his daughter or wife killed him did you say the same thing about him?????

The article mentions he had a girlfriend I sure hope she had nothing to do with this.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by travelintrucker on Jan 21, 2016

What exactly are you basing this on? How he looks in the photo? How about this? He just won a lot of money, had to go public, people who knew who he was were jealous and wanted a piece of the pie. So, they killed him for the money. THAT makes much more sense based on what we know. Saying it could've been a drug deal gone bad is just speculation and it makes you look prejudice.

I Agree!

Brcebrce

Hmm someone needs to email this story to the California lottery commission.

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

I looked up Ga gun laws, and it seems a  good place to get and own guns, with stand your ground rights in effect. with such decent self defence rights avail  I  would think getting a gun and being familiar with the operation of it and safe handling, would be a top of the list priority after winning a lottery.

MsBernice

It's is so sad when you can't tell anyone, not even your own family.... when you have a windfall.  However, it's for their own safety and yours.  I plan on arming myself; so just know that the story will be read the exact opposite. "Lottery Winner Kills Would Be Robbers"....WARNING TO ALL!

Luminus's avatarLuminus

Lurking

crazyjaney

The new details really make this even more tragic. So sad and may he rest in peace.

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by savagegoose on Jan 22, 2016

I looked up Ga gun laws, and it seems a  good place to get and own guns, with stand your ground rights in effect. with such decent self defence rights avail  I  would think getting a gun and being familiar with the operation of it and safe handling, would be a top of the list priority after winning a lottery.

True statement.  Ga is very friendly to gun owners.   I seriously think every winner that has to do a press conference ought to show up in a NRA shirt and hat.   winners are now "easy marks" for the bad guys.  This man's death was caused by people who knew he had won money ( could have been strangers that saw his picture on the lottery winners page)robbed and killed him.  This is as plain as day. This is not as one moronic comment upthread put it " a drug deal gone bad."     Winners should be able to claim anonymously.  Period.

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by MsBernice on Jan 22, 2016

It's is so sad when you can't tell anyone, not even your own family.... when you have a windfall.  However, it's for their own safety and yours.  I plan on arming myself; so just know that the story will be read the exact opposite. "Lottery Winner Kills Would Be Robbers"....WARNING TO ALL!

A perfect response to won of those interview questions they ask lotto winners- "what is the first thing you did when you found out you won"

Something like this should work"

"I applied for my concealed carry permit and bought a new 9mm"

boom  now you are not as much of an easy mark

Silvergirl7

Yes, I believe the man knew his killers and the girlfriend who ran out too. They knew he won that money and came to rob him.

Also living in a rough neighborhood is not good and he should have moved after he won that money. So sad for him and he was

just 20 years old.

Albeone

Quote: Originally posted by Silvergirl7 on Jan 22, 2016

Yes, I believe the man knew his killers and the girlfriend who ran out too. They knew he won that money and came to rob him.

Also living in a rough neighborhood is not good and he should have moved after he won that money. So sad for him and he was

just 20 years old.

And you personally have information the rest of us don't have access to? Or maybe like a few other poster's on here your comments are just conjecture.

VenomV12

Quote: Originally posted by crazyjaney on Jan 22, 2016

True statement.  Ga is very friendly to gun owners.   I seriously think every winner that has to do a press conference ought to show up in a NRA shirt and hat.   winners are now "easy marks" for the bad guys.  This man's death was caused by people who knew he had won money ( could have been strangers that saw his picture on the lottery winners page)robbed and killed him.  This is as plain as day. This is not as one moronic comment upthread put it " a drug deal gone bad."     Winners should be able to claim anonymously.  Period.

You have a seriously low IQ if you think that showing up in an NRA shirt and hat is going to somehow deter criminals. It never occurred to you that maybe just maybe criminals might assume that anyone could have a gun and just take a chance and rob you anyway? I don't think it is too much to assume that a young black guy in Georgia might have a gun. 

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

Since it was three masked robbers, it tell me a few thing he know his murderers.  When it was over he could recognize their voices. Therefore when the children get over this trauma. When they got more stable after this crisis the children will recognize a couple of the voices too. If any one of the robbers hang around a lot or visited them a lot before this happen. After the fear, the children will recognize  where & when they heard these voices plus put a face to them. It over for them.

Think's avatarThink

Lets bang out some rough numbers here.  These three people have to be hunted down and found...how much is that going to cost?

If they do get caught they will get life in prison.  Assuming  they are 25 and they live to 75 then that is 3 * 50 or 150 years in prison.

Assuming it costs 40,000/year to keep them in prison that is $6 million dollars.

So we are roughly talking about more than $6,000,000 the taxpayers of Georgia will have to pay that they probably wouldn't have had to pay if this guy did not have to release his name.

Not to mention that people may buy less lottery tickets when they associate murder with winning a jackpot and having to give your name.

Romancandle's avatarRomancandle

Quote: Originally posted by Think on Jan 22, 2016

Lets bang out some rough numbers here.  These three people have to be hunted down and found...how much is that going to cost?

If they do get caught they will get life in prison.  Assuming  they are 25 and they live to 75 then that is 3 * 50 or 150 years in prison.

Assuming it costs 40,000/year to keep them in prison that is $6 million dollars.

So we are roughly talking about more than $6,000,000 the taxpayers of Georgia will have to pay that they probably wouldn't have had to pay if this guy did not have to release his name.

Not to mention that people may buy less lottery tickets when they associate murder with winning a jackpot and having to give your name.

There you go Think...thinking againLOL

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Quote: Originally posted by savagegoose on Jan 22, 2016

I looked up Ga gun laws, and it seems a  good place to get and own guns, with stand your ground rights in effect. with such decent self defence rights avail  I  would think getting a gun and being familiar with the operation of it and safe handling, would be a top of the list priority after winning a lottery.

savagegoose,

In the late 1970s crime was pretty bad in De Kalb County, GA. The sheriff at the time told the residents there were simply not enough cops to protect them and a law was passed that every county resident legally qualified to do so should buy a gun.

In a very short time crime dropped over 70%.

Luminus's avatarLuminus

Quote: Originally posted by crazyjaney on Jan 22, 2016

True statement.  Ga is very friendly to gun owners.   I seriously think every winner that has to do a press conference ought to show up in a NRA shirt and hat.   winners are now "easy marks" for the bad guys.  This man's death was caused by people who knew he had won money ( could have been strangers that saw his picture on the lottery winners page)robbed and killed him.  This is as plain as day. This is not as one moronic comment upthread put it " a drug deal gone bad."     Winners should be able to claim anonymously.  Period.

Patriot

I suspect there are criminals who watch the lottery winning press conferences every day, looking for "marks."  These are carrier criminals.  It's their "job" to find you and take what you have.  That's why if you win, you have to understand quite clearly that your life as you know it is over.  Period.  Move into a hotel, immediately (preferably near a police station).  Throw your phone into the garbage and get a new number.  Hire security or buy a gun.  And then hire someone to go to your home and put everything into storage.  Your job is to make yourself look as less of a "mark" as possible.

Luminus's avatarLuminus

Quote: Originally posted by VenomV12 on Jan 22, 2016

You have a seriously low IQ if you think that showing up in an NRA shirt and hat is going to somehow deter criminals. It never occurred to you that maybe just maybe criminals might assume that anyone could have a gun and just take a chance and rob you anyway? I don't think it is too much to assume that a young black guy in Georgia might have a gun. 

Wrong, wrong, wrong.  Criminals assume that you don't have a gun, which is why they're so brave.  In most cases, they're right.  I grew up with criminals, by the way.  If you look like you might fight back, you get passed by.  It's as simple as that.

Tami333's avatarTami333

Quote: Originally posted by Romancandle on Jan 22, 2016

There you go Think...thinking againLOL

Green laugh

Tami333's avatarTami333

Quote: Originally posted by Luminus on Jan 23, 2016

Patriot

I suspect there are criminals who watch the lottery winning press conferences every day, looking for "marks."  These are carrier criminals.  It's their "job" to find you and take what you have.  That's why if you win, you have to understand quite clearly that your life as you know it is over.  Period.  Move into a hotel, immediately (preferably near a police station).  Throw your phone into the garbage and get a new number.  Hire security or buy a gun.  And then hire someone to go to your home and put everything into storage.  Your job is to make yourself look as less of a "mark" as possible.

I Agree!  Such a sad story.  I know people mourn differently but I would be in tears if that was my boyfriend/husband.  His girlfriend was on auto-play.  You're going to break down a door, kill a man and only want what's in his pants pockets? Sounds suspect.  Who knows.

darkinlovly

Such a sad story...yes if you have a dream no matter how young or old you are..your dreams can come at anytime...after your dream has came true..you should always have your next step in mind...

crazyjaney

Quote: Originally posted by Luminus on Jan 23, 2016

Wrong, wrong, wrong.  Criminals assume that you don't have a gun, which is why they're so brave.  In most cases, they're right.  I grew up with criminals, by the way.  If you look like you might fight back, you get passed by.  It's as simple as that.

That is exactly right.  Criminals look for the area of least resistance.  Meaning they look for who is not armed.  There is a huge problem with violence and robberies on the GA tech campus in downtown Atlanta.  Why? Because the criminals know these kids are unarmed ( per campus rules) and are carrying expensive laptops and other equipment.  This wouldn't be a problem anymore if the students were allowed to carry weapons on campus.  Winners need to protect themselves.   Holding up that winners check and having your photo plastered on the lottery's website is like being one of the kids at Tech walking around with a $3000 laptop.  You might as well post a sign that says "rob and murder me" 

there have been too many cases like this    I suspect that we are getting close to the tipping point where folks will not play the lottery as much if they fear for their safety   States will have to allow for anonymous claims going forward

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Quote: Originally posted by MsBernice on Jan 22, 2016

It's is so sad when you can't tell anyone, not even your own family.... when you have a windfall.  However, it's for their own safety and yours.  I plan on arming myself; so just know that the story will be read the exact opposite. "Lottery Winner Kills Would Be Robbers"....WARNING TO ALL!

Excellent!  We all need to protect ourselves if we win or not.

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