BU soccer player dies in house fire

[REALBird]

I know the sporting rivalry that is Bradley/ISU leads us to say some very mean spirited things about our respective schools, but this is truly a sad day for Bradley Soccer, and the Peoria community. On behalf of at least one ISU fan, my family's prayers go out to the Dahlquist family, the Bradley University community and all those close to this young man.

There will be plenty of time for the legal system to handle the particulars of this case, but at this time this young man's family and his teammates deserve support and privacy to sort through these matters.

[bu 1995]

A very sad day for Bradley and the athletic department. The Dahlquist family have been tremendous to university. It's embarrasing as well, that student-athletes would act like this. Even if they did what others have done before, they are still responsible for the consequences - just like any other person who isn't a BU student athlete.

I don't see jail time as too harsh, given the death. (Aside, Arson is using fire/explosive to knowingly damage property and, given the nature of putting roman candles under a door in a closed room, its not hard to argue knowledge. That a death occurred turns it into aggravated arson.) I suspect the alleged lying to investigators didn't help them in the charging decision either.

[Bravesguy]

It is indeed sad, and my own kids have done silly, stupid things, although they have been willing when caught to accept responsibility and face the punishment.
Let's see how this plays out.

[romar]

This is clearly a tragedy, plain and simple. I do not believe the kids actions were done with malice at all. Have heard that this was the final in a series of such pranks between these roommates on one another. The end goal being one of them ends up running out of their room in their underwear fleeing the fireworks.

These boys (& I mean just that, they are boys), will carry this with them for the rest of their lives, no matter what the legal system determines to do to them. I'm with the DaCoach and hope that in this instance the legal system can find some way to plea bargain this matter out.

I have to say that my heart breaks for the Dahlquist family having witnessed the effects of an untimely death such as this first hand. I also feel for the families of the boys who were perpetrating the prank and the gravity to which one seemingly innocent act will adversely effect their lives and futures.

[Braves4Life]

This is clearly a tragedy, plain and simple. I do not believe the kids actions were done with malice at all. Have heard that this was the final in a series of such pranks between these roommates on one another. The end goal being one of them ends up running out of their room in their underwear fleeing the fireworks.

These boys (& I mean just that, they are boys), will carry this with them for the rest of their lives, no matter what the legal system determines to do to them. I'm with the DaCoach and hope that in this instance the legal system can find some way to plea bargain this matter out.

I have to say that my heart breaks for the Dahlquist family having witnessed the effects of an untimely death such as this first hand. I also feel for the families of the boys who were perpetrating the prank and the gravity to which one seemingly innocent act will adversely effect their lives and futures.

I honestly believe that the outcome for these "boys" will be decided by how the Dahlquist Family reacts -- with malice or with forgiveness?

I was personally involved in a situation over 20 years at BU where a close friend died over the summer on campus after drinking and dying in an unwitnessed accident (on campus at a fraternity house). The parents chose to forgive and actually helped the fraternity members through their grief -- no charges were ever brought.

I believe that if the Dahlquists take this same stance and choose to get actively involved with the DA that the charges will be light. But I agree with an earlier poster that these kids will carry this scar for the rest of their lives

[tornado]

Here is some evidence of what the Dahlquist family thinks....

"Through the university, the Dahlquist family released this statement:
"Though this unspeakable tragedy hurts us tremendously, please keep in mind
that there are five families that need your prayers."

http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/news/peoria_three_of_four_friends_bail_out_of_jail/