A Helping Hand for the Halaschaks
Donation protected
Early Saturday morning, June 16, Bernard and Michael Halaschak were sleeping inside their home in Caxambas Towers in Marco Island, Florida. They awoke to the sound of an intruder down in the parking area attempting to steal a kayak from the roof of a vehicle. Bernard, Michael's father, yelled down from his balcony for the intruder to stop. The male suspect did not stop, and Bernard (known as "Barney") and Michael ran downstairs to intercept the man, while Barney's wife called 911. Barney was armed with a shotgun.
The two confronted the 25-year-old, reportedly a male named Jacob Johannesen, who wrestled the shotgun from Barney and broke it against the building's wall. He proceeded to viciously beat both Michael and Barney with the broken weapon. To no avail, Michael attempted to pull the man away from his father while Johannesen continued kicking Barney and beating Michael.
Police arrived on scene to find Barney and Michael badly injured, and the suspect having fled. The officers first tended to the two, and saw that they were transported to Physicians Regional Hospital. Afterward, they began the search for Johannesen, who was eventually found in nearby bushes thanks to a K-9 unit.
Barney and Michael are the grandfather and uncle of our dear friend Zach Halaschak. While this disgusting crime would be gut-wrenching regardless of the victims, it hits extra close to home when it happens to a loved one and his/her family. Zach's grandparents moved down to Florida to be a part of his life as soon as he was born and have been a loving and involved presence ever since. One of the first things Zach said in the aftermath was how he would've done "anything for it to have been me" instead of his beloved Grampy.
It doesn't matter whether it goes to medical expenses, legal expenses, rehabilitation, or simply a pick-me-up. The right thing to do is to show the Halaschaks that we're here for them and always will be.
Theta Chis, Zach's friends, friends of Zach's friends, residents of Marco Island and all of Florida, and really anyone who hates to see such a horrible injustice done to such tremendous people, we ask humbly for your help.
Thank you, and our hearts go out to the Halaschaks.
https://www.coastalbreezenews.com/articles/early-saturday-morning-tragedy-averted/
The two confronted the 25-year-old, reportedly a male named Jacob Johannesen, who wrestled the shotgun from Barney and broke it against the building's wall. He proceeded to viciously beat both Michael and Barney with the broken weapon. To no avail, Michael attempted to pull the man away from his father while Johannesen continued kicking Barney and beating Michael.
Police arrived on scene to find Barney and Michael badly injured, and the suspect having fled. The officers first tended to the two, and saw that they were transported to Physicians Regional Hospital. Afterward, they began the search for Johannesen, who was eventually found in nearby bushes thanks to a K-9 unit.
Barney and Michael are the grandfather and uncle of our dear friend Zach Halaschak. While this disgusting crime would be gut-wrenching regardless of the victims, it hits extra close to home when it happens to a loved one and his/her family. Zach's grandparents moved down to Florida to be a part of his life as soon as he was born and have been a loving and involved presence ever since. One of the first things Zach said in the aftermath was how he would've done "anything for it to have been me" instead of his beloved Grampy.
It doesn't matter whether it goes to medical expenses, legal expenses, rehabilitation, or simply a pick-me-up. The right thing to do is to show the Halaschaks that we're here for them and always will be.
Theta Chis, Zach's friends, friends of Zach's friends, residents of Marco Island and all of Florida, and really anyone who hates to see such a horrible injustice done to such tremendous people, we ask humbly for your help.
Thank you, and our hearts go out to the Halaschaks.
https://www.coastalbreezenews.com/articles/early-saturday-morning-tragedy-averted/
Organizer and beneficiary
Jacob Tyler Steinfield
Organizer
Westfield, NJ
Bernard Halaschak
Beneficiary