When Michael Brown was shot and killed in nearby Ferguson, it was national news, and has continued to be for months.

Early Sunday morning, a brutal murder took place in St. Louis, and the only media covering the story is local. Zemir Begic, a 32 year old Bosnian immigrant, was beaten to death by at least four juveniles. Read the horrific details for yourself:

Police said Begic was in his vehicle about 1:15 a.m. in the 4200 block of Itaska when several juveniles approached and began damaging his car. Police said Begic got out to confront the juveniles, who began yelling at him and hitting him with hammers.

Begic, 32, who lived in the 4200 block of Miami Street, suffered injuries to his head, abdomen, face and mouth. He died at St. Louis University Hospital.

Two of the suspected killers are in custody:

Two were caught and taken into juvenile custody. Police are still searching for two others, a 16-year-old black male and a 15-year-old Hispanic.

The two who have been arrested have also been identified as a 15 year old and a 16 year old. Teenagers. Teenagers who were apparently roaming the streets of St. Louis late Saturday night and early into Sunday morning, who were spoiling for some kind of fight.

Seldin Dzananovic, 24, said the teens with the hammers approached him farther north on Gravois about an hour before the attack on Begic. He said he was able to fight them off, suffering only cuts to his hands and neck.

“I’m just lucky,” he said. “God is on my side.”

Zemir Begic, who emigrated to the United States in 1996, leaves behind a grieving family, including his wife of six months, Arijana.

The Bosnian community in St. Louis is outraged, and took to the streets in protest Sunday night.

“I want everybody to know I take your safety and everyone in the community’s safety very seriously,” said St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson. “I heard your message loud and clear. You want to make sure you are safe. I want to make sure you are safe and every neighborhood in our city.”
Dotson also said the strain Ferguson has put on his department is great as officers have been working 12 hour shifts and no days off, but he assured the crowd the police will be here to protect them.

Bosnians are protesting in Bevo. One woman tells me they fled genocide and are now being killed in St. Louis. pic.twitter.com/cFDE285Ugd

— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) December 1, 2014

And the crowd protesting was peaceful, and made a point about their behavior compared to the protesters in Ferguson.

People following police orders to stay on sidewalk. One Bosnian says they won't damage neighborhood they built. #Bevo pic.twitter.com/18RAscSYeY

— Michael Calhoun (@michaelcalhoun) December 1, 2014

And the police chief noticed.

Tonight responded to a peaceful demonstration in the Bosnian community at Gravois & Itaska. No arrests and everyone has now left.

— SLMPD Police Chief (@ChiefSLMPD) December 1, 2014

You know what else got noticed? A distinct lack of national media attention.
https://twitter.com/BH_Dragons/status/539233372858753025
https://twitter.com/LejlaO17/status/539230599219642368
The problem is that this story doesn’t fit the preconceived narrative. There was no police involvement. The arrested suspects and those they are still looking for are described as black and Hispanic. We may never find out if this was in retaliation for Ferguson. What we do know should be enough to put these teenagers away for a very long time – but since laws regarding juveniles are notoriously lenient when it comes to sentencing (one tragic case in Seattle from years past comes to mind), who knows what will happen here.

We heard repeatedly during the Ferguson protests and riots that “black lives matter.” I offer a simple correction – ALL lives matter. There is no question that Zemir Begic was an innocent man, who was brutally attacked and beaten to death by teenage thugs. But the White House will never comment on his death. Al Sharpton will never hold a rally in his name. The national media will most likely turn a blind eye. Why? Because there is a narrative to protect. Even if protecting that narrative created an atmosphere where teenage thugs thought they could attack and kill an innocent man with impunity.

We pray for Mr. Begic’s family (there has been a GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral expenses), and we pray that these murderers will face justice.

UPDATE: There is video of the aftermath of the brutal attack. (WARNING: Graphic Language)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIPZ09WcTWk
The image of Mr. Begic being taken away on a stretcher is a heartbreakingly sad one. And if what the witness states on the videotape is true, then this better be prosecuted as a hate crime.

Charges have also been filed against at least one defendant. There has also been a third arrest.

Chief Dotson says adult charges have been issued against one teen for 1st degree murder and armed action in #ZemirBegic hammer death.

— Nicholas J.C. Pistor (@nickpistor) December 1, 2014

The @SLMPD has, so far, arrested three teens. This is not a juvenile crime. It is a an adult crime and should be treated as one. #fgs

— Francis G. Slay (@MayorSlay) December 1, 2014

And in light of the video, perhaps the mayor needs to reconsider his previous statement.

#STL Mayor Slay says claims that Begic hammer attack was racial or related to #Ferguson are unfounded.

— Nicholas J.C. Pistor (@nickpistor) December 1, 2014

Begic’s wife is now speaking out, saying that he died protecting her:

She says she was there and witnessed her husband’s brutal death.

“The last thing he did before he actually died was pull me out of the way and put himself in front of me, basically giving up his life for me,” (Arijana) Mujkanovic says.