Shot by Stranger and Caring for Dad

Attempted murder; lost his mother; caring for his father.


I am writing this in an attempt to reach out to the world and help my friend and guitar teacher, Eric Keyes (pictured above, with parents), get through this difficult time in his life. Allow me to explain:

We have all had difficult trials in life; it is part of being human. Yet sometimes an overwhelming series of traumatic events befalls a person in a short period of time and when this someone is Eric, you just do what you can to help. Eric is a big-hearted and compassionate person who could use a break from the heavy burden he is presently under. His actions profoundly reveal the depth and character that is Eric. 

It must be mentioned that Eric has done everything possible to work and meet the financial demands of the present. I have spent much time advising and brainstorming with him and he has acted tirelessly on many suggestions.

Timeline of Events 

May/2012

Eric’s father is diagnosed with dementia. 

7/2/2012

A mentally ill person showed up unannounced at Eric’s door in Denton, TX and told Eric he was a fan of his music. He pulled a gun and shot Eric from short range, the bullet piercing his chest and breaking three ribs, missing his heart by one millimeter, and finally lodged in his left arm. He suffered a collapsed lung (could not sing anymore) and nerve damage that extended to his left arm (could not play guitar). He had a thriving guitar studio in Denton and taught dozens of lessons weekly. His livelihood was wiped out. The attempted murder made the front page and his students, and/or their parents were in fear of their safety, so the income from lessons disappeared.

Month/2012

Eric’s mom is diagnosed with dementia.


01/2013

Eric sells his house in Denton as one step in his decision to move his parents from Houston to Dallas. Gets temporary apartment in Dallas same month and begins weekly ritual of driving to Houston every week for all of 2013 to assure both his parents get to their appointments and have food and other necessities.

02/2013

Eric sells his parent’s house in Houston, arranges for a house in Dallas, and moves both parents there to live with him so he can provide around the clock care.

01/2014

Due to mounting bills, including the need for an attorney to get his dad’s V.A. benefits combined with a shortfall in income, Eric pawns his guitars and amplifiers for the first time. Some months later, a good friend helped him get them back.

02/2015

Eric secures additional benefits from V.A.

09/2017

Mom develops aspiration pneumonia

10/2017

Eric’s mom passes away. Eric arranges funeral & burial. An unavoidable consequence is the loss of $1000.00 monthly from mother’s Social Security check.

12/2017

Eric pawns all his guitars and associated musical equipment to pay bills formerly covered by mother’s income.

01/2018 to Present

Despite many attempts to raise student clientele, still ongoing, bills have mounted to all time highs with no additional help. At this writing, Eric is beginning to show outward signs of the mounting stress that has built all these years and I as his friend am genuinely concerned for his health and well-being. He is not sleeping well, has gained weight, and does not greet me with the openness and wide smile that used to be automatic.

 

I ask for your compassion, whether it be in prayer, a donation, or both. Thank you.

Bryan Crusius