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Father Looks For Son's Killer And Learns To Walk Again: William Alexander's Story

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First Posted: 12/05/11 09:01 AM ET Updated: 02/04/12 04:12 AM ET

A Miami father believes that his search for his teenaged son's murderer is the reason someone -- possibly the killer -- shot him 18 months ago.

William Alexander Sr., 51, lost his legs following that shooting, but he's learning to walk on prosthetics so he can help solve his 17-year-old son's murder, The Miami Herald reports.

Alexander's son -- also named William -- was driving his father's car in April last year when an unidentified gunman pulled alongside him and fired into the vehicle, killing the teen, according to the Examiner.

A fruitless investigation by Miami police prompted William Sr. to walk the streets looking for witnesses, according to The Herald. He also became a regular at neighborhood meetings where he denounced inner-city violence.

Two months into his paternal mission, Alexander was enjoying some rare downtime with a friend at a poolhall when a stranger approached and asked if Alexander was still looking for him, according to NBC Miami.

No sooner had the father responded, saying the only person he was looking for is his son's killer, than the other man brandished a gun and shot him five times in the leg and back, the TV station says.

The bullet wounds exacerbated Alexander's diabetic condition and months after the attack, his right leg was amputated. Then, infections were found in his left leg, forcing doctors to amputate that limb too, The Herald says.

These days, Alexander undergoes hours of rehab in the hopes of walking again. What keeps him motivated is his desire to bring his son's killer to justice, media outlets reported.

"I will go to my grave trying to learn to walk again," Alexander tells The Herald, "so that I can get back out there and find out who did this to my son."

 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
khali1
11:53 AM on 12/06/2011
Wouldn't police be looking for the killer, not the father who is being shot while doing so?
04:39 AM on 12/06/2011
It is sad that this man lost his son to violence for what ever the reason was. It seems like our society has turned to guns thinking this is how you solve a problem. On the other hand if this man was shot in a pool hall wouldnt there be witnesses there? Somebody is keeping their mouths shut about this cause they may be in fear of their own lives for what ever reason. I just hope that this mans killer is brought to justice. This man has been through enough. Best wishes and luck to ya and hop this case gets some closure
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Rocky the bulldog
04:39 AM on 12/06/2011
Bless you Mr Alexander, I pray that you find the strength to do what has to be done to bring JUSTICE to the one that killed your son!!
Losing a teenager is a pain that few understand.
I've been there to, my son was 17.
01:51 AM on 12/06/2011
He needs to start a community campaign to put a little heat on the police to step up to the plate. I am sorry you lost your son. You sound like a wonderful and caring father.
12:41 AM on 12/06/2011
The son's shooting was probably based on a drug deal gone wrong, or some other crime the son committed or assisted with. Very rare that a person just pulls along someone out of the blue and starts shooting.
02:40 AM on 12/06/2011
It could have been mistaken for another car. I'm white, but your reason sounds very racist. Maybe someone was angry with the father, and took it out on his son, maybe the son and another guy were seeing the same girl and the other guy was a gang member and when he found out about him, he killed him. It could be a number of reasons, bigot.
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On My Way 58
I try to think before posting
02:50 AM on 12/06/2011
WOW. You got all that from reading this article? Why does it have to be criminal activity?

It isn't unusual for drive-by shooters to harm innocent people; maybe you need to read the news a bit more often.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
almasearch
my micro-bio is none of anyone's macro business
11:41 PM on 12/05/2011
Were there no witnesses to the shooting of this man in the poolhall???? Or, let me guess - no one wants to rat the perp out... Sad.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Nancy Asberry
11:10 PM on 12/05/2011
Well, what was the clue the gunman gave him?

Geez, these 'news' reports stink.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
almasearch
my micro-bio is none of anyone's macro business
11:47 PM on 12/05/2011
Presumably the "stranger"? "...when a stranger approached and asked him if Alexander was still looking for him..." and this stranger shot him when he replied that the only person he was looking for was his son's killer. But again, no witnesses???
11:48 PM on 12/05/2011
I think the "clue" is that the gunman asked if Alexander was still looking for him and then shot Alexander. The way it was worded was misleading though
10:22 PM on 12/05/2011
If he could not do it with two legs he might want to leave the capture to the cops. Not trying to be rude but he should use common sense.
01:51 AM on 12/06/2011
The cops won't do anything. This man has the choice of doing nothing, or doing something. I don't fault him at all for doing something.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
justine in texas
10:01 PM on 12/05/2011
read the true book------­­­-Popsicl­e Toes-True story of growing up as the victim of the Bartow Florida Mall Rapist--[N­­­OOK Book]---TH­­­IS IS A CRAZY STORY IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IT YET------ its on barnes and noble at bn.com----­­­---

this is the Overview of the book---

This is the true life story of a little girl who becomes a victim as a baby of unspeakabl­­­e child abuse from a half brother who is much older than her. He begins grabbing up his baby sister Anne out of her bed taking her to his room and raping her while both parents are passed out drunk. The story only gets worse as the abuse continues until the half brother (Danny) gets arrested for raping and kidnapping women by knife point at a mall. As a teen, Danny vandalized grave yards, raped, tortured and abused both animals and his siblings. (Editor's Note: This book contains mature, graphic content)
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GOODDOC1
"civil war" is an oxymoron
10:25 PM on 12/05/2011
Does this have anything to do with the article?
10:51 AM on 12/06/2011
its true crime just like this story
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stdman
a winner cus i think
09:58 PM on 12/05/2011
i feel bad for him i know how hard it is to raise a black male in the hood type areas....you can only hope for the best!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stdman
a winner cus i think
09:57 PM on 12/05/2011
its always florida or chicago!
09:45 PM on 12/05/2011
Why did the 2 guys get away. He was in a pool hall, was he alone in there? Really so wrong that those 2 guys got away.
Learical
Maintain!
09:43 PM on 12/05/2011
Good man. HP, how many different headlines can you put on a story? I think you've outdone yourselves this time.
09:39 PM on 12/05/2011
GOOD FOR HIM! more power to him, especially if he is not using an EBT card.
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GOODDOC1
"civil war" is an oxymoron
10:26 PM on 12/05/2011
Why couldn't you have put a period instead of a comma and deleted the rest? What in God's name does an EBT card have to do with this? Please.
09:01 PM on 12/05/2011
Its a god given miricale that he can walk again.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Jaleson
Very Opinionated but also respectful to your opini
10:39 PM on 12/05/2011
actually, its technology, but i guess god works too. tho he was put in that situation because god "has a plan" for him.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
IRGrannyGoo
When it's hard to pray, pray hard.
11:44 PM on 12/05/2011
FYI: God does not MAKE bad things happen..however, he can bring good out of bad things. And yes, God does have a plan for him and for you too.