News About Violence at Home

May 3, 2026, 22:41
USSociety

Introduction

Some people in Washington and New York had bad fights. These fights became very dangerous after the people stopped dating.

Main Body

In Washington, Billy Rickman killed Gloria Choi. He followed her and used a GPS device to find her. The police knew about the problem, but they did not stop him. He shot her many times. Now, he is in prison for life. A family is suing the city because the police did not help. In New York, Robert Schreiber attacked a young man. The man is the son of his old girlfriend. Schreiber used a knife. He is now in jail and may stay there for 25 years. Another man in New York, Rony Rivera, killed two people. He killed a person from work and a roommate. These stories show that some fights at home become very violent.

Conclusion

Billy Rickman is in prison. The other men are waiting for their court dates. People are still fighting in court about the police.

Learning

The 'Now' vs 'Then' Trick

In the story, we see a big change in how we talk about time. Look at how the words move from the past (what happened) to the present (where they are now).

Past (Action completed) → Present (Current state)

  • Killed →\rightarrow is in prison
  • Attacked →\rightarrow is in jail
  • Stopped dating →\rightarrow are fighting in court

Simple Pattern for A2: When you tell a story, use the -ed ending for the action, then use is/are for the result.

Example: He followed her (Past) →\rightarrow He is in prison (Present).

Words to remember:

  • Prison / Jail →\rightarrow Place for bad people.
  • Suing →\rightarrow Asking a judge for money because of a mistake.

Vocabulary Learning

people (n.)
human beings; members of a society
Example:People in Washington were shocked by the news.
people
human beings, adults or children
Example:People in the park were playing soccer.
fights (n.)
violent disagreements between two or more persons
Example:Fights can happen between neighbors over noise.
bad
not good, unpleasant
Example:The weather was bad, so we stayed indoors.
dangerous (adj.)
likely to cause harm or injury
Example:The street was dangerous at night.
fight
an argument or physical struggle
Example:They had a fight over who would pay.
police (n.)
officials who enforce the law
Example:Police help keep the city safe.
dangerous
able to cause harm or injury
Example:The road was dangerous after the storm.
prison (n.)
a place where people are kept as punishment
Example:He is in prison for stealing.
dating
meeting someone to see if you want to be a couple
Example:She started dating a new friend.
family (n.)
a group of people related by blood or marriage
Example:The family went to the park together.
killed
made someone die
Example:The thief killed the guard.
attacked (v.)
to strike violently or harm someone
Example:He attacked the stranger with a knife.
followed
went after someone or something
Example:He followed the trail to find the hidden key.
knife (n.)
a sharp cutting tool
Example:She used a knife to cut the bread.
device
a machine or tool that does something
Example:The device helps you track your steps.
jail (n.)
a short-term detention facility for people accused of crimes
Example:He was sent to jail for the offense.
find
to discover or locate something
Example:I will find the lost book.
court (n.)
a place where legal cases are heard
Example:The case will be heard in court.
police
law enforcement officers who keep order
Example:The police came quickly to the scene.
problem
a difficult situation or issue
Example:There is a problem with the electricity.
stop
to cease or end
Example:Please stop shouting.
shot
a bullet fired from a gun
Example:He was shot by the guard.
times
occurrences or moments
Example:She has visited the museum many times.
prison
a place where people are kept for breaking laws
Example:He is in prison for his crimes.
family
people related by blood or marriage
Example:The family gathered for dinner.
city
a large town with many buildings
Example:The city is full of tall buildings.
help
to give assistance or support
Example:Can you help me carry this box?
attacked
to attack or assault
Example:The soldier attacked the enemy.
young
not old, still growing
Example:The young child laughed.