The heartbroken fiancee of a father who was murdered while protecting his 14-year-old son outside his home recalls the horrifying details that led to his death.
Tracy Karopchinsky, 44, described how Christopher Wright, 43, was killed on his doorstep by five bullies after he became involved in a brawl that began at Brooklyn Park Middle School and moved into his home in Anne Arundel County.
The attackers — three teenagers and two adults — continued to beat Wright, who was already unconscious and bleeding, before fleeing the scene. They said to his 12-year-old son, “I’m sorry, call 911.”
Remnants of Wright’s blood stained the ground outside their home.
Her 14-year-old son Trenton got into a fight with another teenager at school on Friday, before three teenagers and two adults showed up at their Maryland home.
Her husband, who stayed at home, told the group that their son would not fight, to which they reportedly replied, “If he won’t fight, then fight us.”
Wright was then badly beaten by the group and his head was repeatedly slammed against the concrete outside his home while his 12-year-old son looked on.
Tracy Karopchinsky holds a photo of her dead fiancé Christopher Wright, 43
Trenton, 14, got into a fight with another teen at school on Friday, before three teens and two adults showed up at her Maryland home. In the picture: Remnants of blood can be seen in front of the house
Pictured: Wright and two of his sons at a Baltimore Orioles game
He was taken to a trauma center – and pronounced dead on Saturday after suffering traumatic brain injury.
Fiancee Tracy Karopchinsky told the attackers continued to beat the father even as he lay unconscious – and they told his child to call 911 before he got in the car and left.
She said: “It seemed like the attack didn’t last long, our last text message to each other was around 4:30pm and at 5:30pm I got a call that he was being loaded into an ambulance.”
“According to one of my sons, he looked over and saw his dad was on the ground and not moving and the guy was still fighting and punching him while Chris was lying there.
“Then he heard him [the attacker] Said “Oh my god he’s bleeding,” he handed my son Chris the necklaces, which had kind of come loose, and said, “I’m sorry, call 911.”
“My youngest son came out screaming, they got in their car and drove away.”
Recalling the hours leading up to the horror, Karopchinsky told : “My son went to school, Chris had to reinstate him as he had been suspended for something else.” He was involved in several fights throughout the day, someone came into his classroom to argue and a teacher had to drag the boy away from him.
“He made it, came home, went upstairs to tell his older brother what had happened all day.” They heard voices outside from their upstairs bedroom and the boys were outside, that was my son’s friends before the incident.
“Your dad walked in and said your friends were here, he told them those weren’t my friends.” Chris came out and told them he’s not coming out to fight you. They said if he doesn’t come out, we’ll come inside and we’ll fight them inside.
“Chris told them he’s not coming out and you’re not coming into my house.” Then they said, well, you’re going to fight.
“They started arguing and the end result was Chris didn’t walk away.”
“These children are fourteen years old and had two adults, family members of the children.” The police have all the names of the people, I know the investigation is a process and the police are actively involved and doing everything.
Neighbor Richard Balsamo, 58, said the father was a good guy
Fiancé Tracy Karopchinsky explained what happened before the ordeal
“The school is taking all its measures, my kids are not going back to school, it’s done.” These kids are going to high school next year. I spoke to the high school about the next steps.
‘[Trenton’s] Guilt is immeasurable, he feels like it’s his fault so just help him get through the loss of his father and let him know that it’s not your fault.
“He had no reason to fight these people, and he didn’t want to.” When he suffered shock trauma, they said he sustained severe damage to the right side of his brain, which eventually progressed to a catastrophic brain injury.
“He had a stroke, a cerebral hemorrhage in the brainstem and that was it.”
Chris, the father of Tryston, Trenton and Tevin, has already been cremated and the family plans to celebrate his life with a memorial service on June 11th.
Neighbor Richard Balsamo, 58, said: “Chris was a good guy.” He didn’t bother anyone. He stayed on his porch, he tended his garden, he tended his children. For someone to come here and take him away from his girlfriend and children is ridiculous and wrong and something needs to be done.
Karopchinsky emphasized the devastating impact her husband’s death would have on her children and the children who assaulted him
Pictured: Christopher Wright, who died of his injuries after last Friday’s incident
Christopher Wright, 43, who died of a brain injury after being beaten up on his doorstep
“It shocked the neighborhood.” “He’s a very good guy and very good with his kids.”
His sister-in-law Kristin Karopchinsky started a GoFundMe stating Wright had moved out to defend his threatened son Trenton.
She said in her fundraiser that he was hit in the head before being repeatedly thrown onto the concrete.
Officials at the school admitted the fight took place and said they were working to address the issue.
They are cooperating with the police in the investigation.
Karopchinsky emphasized the devastating impact her husband’s death would have on her children and the children who assaulted him.
She said, “Not only have you ruined our lives.” Your life will change forever. Her parents’ lives will change forever, and no one thinks about it just because of an argument.
“It’s everywhere and somewhere, we as parents are letting these kids down.” […] It is not the school’s responsibility. “It’s our responsibility,” she said.
Anne Arundel County Police said they were investigating and charges may be brought against those involved.
Anne Arundel County Police Spokesman Marc Limansky said, “Anyone who assisted the prime suspect or the prime suspect, or was an accomplice to the prime suspect will be guilty.”
Police said charges could be brought against those involved in the brutal assault. A local official confirmed that no weapons were used in the attack.