Homeless Man Recovering After Attack
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Homeless Man Attacked
A community wants answers after a homeless man is beaten.
A homeless man, who is a beloved fixture on Main Street, is off the streets and in a hospital bed after he was attacked.
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio—A man without a home, who is a beloved fixture on Main Street, was off the streets and in a hospital bed.
Bob Wirtz has been recovering after he was attacked two days ago.
He hangs out on Main Street, and several business owners help house and feed him.
Wirtz’s friends want answers, and NBC 4’s Ana Jackson talked to them about Wirtz.
“He lives in a different world than most of us, but he’s a fixture along Main Street,“ Reynoldsburg Police Lieutenant Jim O’Neill said.
“How long has he been coming around here? Oh, gosh. Since at least ’79,” Sunoco owner Jo Lynne Gates said.
“We call him the street walker, the crack counter. He counts every one of those cracks. I think he’s got everyone of them named,” Connell Hardware employee Cody Nemaster said.
“He felt at home here, I think,” Connell Hardware owner Jean Connell said.
Monday morning, though, Wirtz’s friends were in for a tragic surprise. The owner of Connell Hardware found Wirtz beaten in his sleeping bag, right outside the store.
“I seen him, and I said, ‘Oh, my. There’s something wrong with him,’ ” Nemaster said.
“He told policemen that he got beat up,” Connell said.
“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen a man beat up in my life,” Nemaster said.
Connell said Wirtz’s whole face was swollen
“It seems very strange not to have him here. He’s just kind of a fixture,” Connell said.
“It’s just terrible. I mean, he doesn’t hurt anybody. Why would anybody go and hurt him,” Gates asked.
“I guess, deep down, he means more to you than you realize when something happens like this. He’s a friend. He’s like family,” Connell said.
“You almost feel like somebody was just out to do something wrong to someone, and Robert just ended up in the wrong place at that time,” O’Neill said.
“They need to have the same thing they did to him happen to them. That’s the way I feel,” Gates said.
Gates has started a donation jar at her Sunoco station. She’s going to be working through Chase Bank, she said.
She said the donations were to go towards Wirtz’s medical expenses.
Wirtz was taken to Mount Carmel Hospital East, and his friends said he is in stable condition.
Reynoldsburg police continued to search for suspects.
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Reader Reactions
FYI
Bob is still at my parents house. He did not get the wires off his jaw. They are saying a few more weeks. He is wanting to go back to Reynoldsburg, when he has his cast and wires taken off.
Thanks to everyone for your kindness and generous offerings.
Charity, you have done so much for Bob. Unbelievable. Thank you.
Reynoldsburg Police Department, thank you for your efforts and the updates. Words can not express how thankful my family is.
XO
You’re very welcome. It would be very nice to meet you too!
I really don’t think Bob is afraid. I think that Reynoldsburg is where he feels safe. My gosh, with all the kind things said, who would want to be anywhere else…makes me pretty home sick!
No matter where a person goes, you will always find crime of some sort.
To Whatsthebuzz, thanks for your time to write and for caring about Bob. I would love to meet everyone someday soon.
XO
That’s great! I’m so glad he’s out of the hospital. I’m sure he’s not terribly happy staying with parents, but it’s probably better than the hospital.
I know Reynoldsburg isn’t what it used to be but there are still good people there. I just wish the city would perhaps…spend a little less money on hanging flower baskets and a little more on the policing the neighborhoods. Bob IS part of Reynoldsburg, and he does belong there (albeit, preferably with shelter etc… but you can only do so much). The jerks who did this don’t belong, and I hope they catch them soon. I also hope Bob doesn’t come ‘home’ and after all that happened to him… find that he’s afraid to be there!
Bob is out of the hospital and at my parents house right now. I think he will be staying there for two weeks. He should get the “wires” out of his mouth then. He really wants to go back to Reynoldsburg, where he feels he is at home.
I understand that there are some people trying to get him off the streets, as we all have in the past. Sad that that is where he is comfortable. What a nice reflection of the people of Reynoldsburg.
I am overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of all.
I am sure Bob does not like all the attention he has been getting. I know that he misses his familar surroundings.
Thank you for your letters.
XO Suz
Has anyone heard anything more about Bob’s recovery? I hope it’s going well.
I apologize for not posting sooner.
Bob is doing well, and continues to improve. The swelling in his face is going down but his jaw is still a little puffy. He will be released soon, if he follows doctors’ orders, he may not be seen for a couple more weeks. Just know he is as anxious to be in familiar surroundings as you are to see him back again.
As most of you know, Bob is a man of few words but, when we speak of all the supportive comments and genuine feelings that have been expressed by so many, you can see it in his eyes that it means something to him.
Thank you.
I have not had an update today on how well Bob is doing today. As soon as I find out something, I will write.
To the community of Reynoldsburg and all that have given Bob your support, thank you. You have no idea how comforting your kind words are.
XO
I have known Bob for about 7 years and he comes in to our restaurant alot. I have never seen him be anything but polite and quiet. I have seen him laugh and just be quiet. This town is changing but one thing I hope never changes is BOB! I hope he is the same sweet man that counts the cracks, seems to not let life get him down or anything. He is just himself regardless of how he lives its his life. Ive read his parents his family dont care or he wouldnt live like this, but you know I dont care how estranged you are YOU ALWAYS CARE! To me after reading all these comments there is a heck of a family caring its his own and Bobs Reynoldsburg family. I just hope they catch these people and they dont get a seconds peace. To Bob I hope you get better soon and I hope truly you are alright. TO Bobs family, THANK YOU for keeping us updated.Im sure your hearts are breaking with everything that has happened. I for one have been reading and seeing if any updates to him. I hope your parents are coping as well. My heart goes out to all of you~
Bob’s surgery went well. A screw was placed in a bone under his eye and his jaw was wired shut due to a break. He allowed the medical team to do whatever they needed to help him. He did refuse pain medication after he was back in his room, but he was still groggy from the surgery. Pending any complications, he is to be released within a few days. We are still trying to figure out what arrangements Bob will accept when he is released.
My sister or I will post updates here as we receive them.
Thank you all again, for your continued kindness and support for Bob. We understand that for many of you, because you do regard Bob as family, this has been as difficult and traumatic as it has been for Bob and his family. Every one of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
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