3.21.11 - 1:00PM
- by
Alex Staub

Casey Heynes, AKA 'Zangief Kid' and 'Casey the Punisher,' Gives First Interview

casey heynes aka casey the punisher and zangief kid, gives his first interview Casey Heynes, AKA "Zangief Kid" or "Casey the Punisher," has become a world wide sensation over the past week for body-slamming a bully at school. Having been picked on for most of his life, this bully victim has inspired many people by finally having the guts to stand up for himself. He is being called a hero by many, and he recently sat down for an interview to tell his side of the story.

Australian news show A Current Affair (ACA) was fortunate enough to land a interview with Casey, and what they found out is that this poor kid had been bullied for most of his life. He said that the few friends that he had in his first months of high school had abandoned him once the bullying started again and that he has been going it alone ever since being constantly bombarded with insults and slaps to the back of the head. He was even, one time, held down and duct taped to a pole. It is just so sad to hear this because he seems like such a intelligent, nice young man. No one deserves this kind of treatment.

Watching this interview has only made me respect Casey more for his retaliation against all this torment that he has gone through over the years. Casey says in this video that his lowest point was about a year ago when he was contemplating suicide. The pain he felt was becoming unbearable but with the support of his sister he managed to make it through that difficult time. Now, with most of the world backing him up, Casey's father says he seems to have a newfound confidence, a change in demeanor, and higher self-esteem than he has ever had before. He even has a few new nicknames floating around out there. Some are calling him "Casey the Punisher," "Hulk Smash" and of course, "Zangief Kid."

This is a heartwarming interview that I think everyone should watch. With bullying becoming such a problem in schools today it is nice to see a happy ending to one of these stories. I think Casey is an inspiration to us all.

previously:// 'Zangief Kid' Owns a Playground Bully, Anonymous Has His Back

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3.21.11

By The Shockwave

Lowest Rank

"I think Casey is an inspiration to us all."

Exactly. Just like snipers that kill a couple people because they've been tormented their entire lives. Finally someone who says, "This far, no further! I'm going to maim all those that are smaller and weaker than I!"

3.21.11

By Shibangoh

Neutral

Yes because this kid just walked up to the nearest small weak vulnerable kid he could find and beat him up. No way was he provoked.

3.21.11

By Meryl

Lowest Rank

Yeah, exactly.

You can still condemn bullying without promoting this form of "standing up for yourself". This is what usually leads to cycles of violence. What's really disgusting (and unsurprising) is that this kid felt he had no other options. Far too many schools and parents turn a blind eye to bullying because they're too lazy or have notions of it "toughening the kid up". Pfft.

3.22.11

By logic

Neutral

@Meryl

I dont see how you think that the boy had no other options. Its not like it was a random occurrence. This was premeditated. How do you think there was a video of it. To me self defense is defined as defending ones self against attack to the point where you are no longer in danger. If he had just stuck with standing there what would have happened. He made a clear statement. If this every came in front of a jury, good luck finding people who wouldn't side with the kid. The evidence is there...

Plus if what the boy said is true then this is partly the schools fault.

I'm willing to put money down that the people saying this was bad were bullies them self. Or just trollin...

3.21.11

By The Shockwave

Lowest Rank

And there was no excessive force used in any way by Heynes. Oh wait, a spinning pile-driver might have been overkill there. There are actually laws relating to self-defense, believe it or not, and they said that the force must be reasonable.

3.22.11

By sokuna

Neutral

I agree that there was excessive force and Casey should be subject to discipline for that. However he was quite clearly provoked and justified in defending himself.

I would argue that since the bully had several friends with him, at least the second kid and the kid filming the scene, a strong response was merited for his own safety. Furthermore I didn't see malicious intent in his actions since instead of continuing to attack the bully Casey immediately backed off.

Casey should be disciplined for the results of his actions but I would extend some leniency for the intent of those actions. The bully on the other hand should be subject to discipline for the malicious nature of his attack even if it was ineffectual.

3.22.11

By James

Highest Rank

So don't stand up for yourself? What is wrong with you people. There comes a time in your life where you either let people walk all over you or you do something about it. I was bullied most of my life and never had support of the teachers. It became clear that I would have to in the end stand up for myself. What should the bullied do? Just sit there and let it happen while saying stop? Or stand up for themselves? Seriously.

3.22.11

By cray

Neutral

Too many no-tolerance policies lead to the death of common sense in schools. In a way this is like the kid who brought a plastic eating knife to school and got suspended for months because of a no-tolerance weapon policy.