A man’s life is over and the more we hear about it, the worse it sounds.
Does anyone ever use any common sense anymore?
There are so many lessons to be learned from the senseless death of 30-year-old Kyle Van Winkle at the Kansas City Chiefs game Sunday.
Van Winkle from Smithville, Mo., is the son of Dean Van Winkle, a sergeant with the Grandview, Mo. police department. Dean Van Winkle reports his son was a good man who would not harm someone else. Kevin Van Winkle was a loan operations specialist with a credit union.
From information available, Van Winkle died after private citizens apparently decided to take the law into their own hands.
Van Winkle’s apparent mistake was getting into a similar vehicle to his own. He died for that simple error in judgment.
Police report that the Jeep involved in the tragedy showed no signs of a break-in, providing evidence that the vehicle was unlocked. Eyewitnesses report the possibly drunk Van Winkle might have simply gotten into the wrong vehicle at the wrong time.
An eyewitness reports that Van Winkle was confronted and assaulted by a citizen who believed a 10-year-old child might be in harm’s way.
The 10-year-old boy summoned help from nearby tailgaters. They apparently roughed up Van Winkle, who had been sitting in the Jeep.
A witness reports that Van Winkle was knocked unconscious and left to die against a parked bus. The woman was prevented from helping the man from private citizens posing as law officers.  
By the time, the woman was able to assist the man with CPR it was too late. Van Winkle collapsed and later died at a hospital.
The witness reported that a man who allegedly threw some punches tried to leave before police could question him.
There is some evidence to indicate that the assailant also was suspected to have been drinking alcohol and totally over-reacted to a situation.
There were no weapons or threats issued by Van Winkle. There was no need for deadly force to be used. Simple common sense could’ve solved the problem.
All someone had to do was ask the man whether he needed help or call a professional for assistance.
Investigators said autopsy results will help determine whether any charges will be filed against three persons of interest who were questioned Monday.
Lesson 1 — Don’t jump to conclusions.
Lesson 2 — Don’t take the law into your own hands.
Lesson 3 — Use common sense.
Lesson 4 — Ask trained professionals to help.
Lesson 5 — Help don’t hurt.

Jim Misunas