On October 13, 2003, the Fairfield University community was shaken to learn of the tragic death of Mark Fisher ’06, murdered at the age of 19. In the weeks and months that followed, family, friends and students not only mourned Mark’s death and celebrated his life, but also struggled with questions about what happened that night in Brooklyn.
Just weeks short of the second anniversary of Fisher’s untimely death, some of those troubling questions have finally been answered. On Tuesday, Brooklyn gang member John Guica, 21, was convicted of second-degree murder, robbery and weapons possession while on trial for Mark’s murder. Guica now faces 25 years to life in prison.
While Guica’s conviction in no way erases the heavy burden carried by Mark’s family and friends, one can only hope that the verdict provides a sense of relief that some justice has been served.
In the months following Mark’s murder, the Fairfield community came together in a way rarely seen on campus. Friends of Mark, and even those who had never met him, were forced to step back and reflect on the fragility of our lives. Within the gates of our campus, it’s easy to feel invincible. Mark’s murder reminded us all of the dangers that exist outside our sheltered world, and to be thankful for what we have. No trial or conviction should ever make us forget that.
Some may see the verdict as closure, but for those who knew Mark, there is still a long road ahead. As of press time, Antonio Russo, 19, who was charged with firing the final shot, was still awaiting a jury’s decision. The trial has surely been a difficult time for those closest to Mark, and we hope for them that the jury will come to a speedy and just conclusion.
The Mirror once again extends its deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends. As we approach the second anniversary of Mark’s death, let the Fairfield community celebrate and remember Mark as those who knew him say he would’ve wanted: as an athlete, a dreamer, and most of all, a great friend.
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