Kid Rock surprises robbery victim with $1,500 check AFTER PIZZA DELIVERY BEATING

Kid Rock surprises robbery victim with $1,500 check

By Jennifer Baker
GANNETT OHIO NEWS / The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Papa John's pizza delivery man brutally beaten and robbed of a small amount of cash and some pizza last month discovered a pleasant surprise Tuesday when he was released from University Hospital after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his face.

A $1,500 check from musician Kid Rock.

"I didn't expect it and didn't ask for it, but it was certainly a very nice thing to do," said Harry Colyer, 28, in an interview Wednesday from his Harrison home.

As he spoke, he had to hold a hand over a hole in his neck that used to hold a breathing tube. Doctors had to insert the tube, which was removed Tuesday, so he could breathe while they repaired extensive damage to his face.

Both cheekbones were broken. His nose also was broken and crushed. Metal plates were installed to help stabilize his right eye. Even his sinus cavity had to be repaired. He has a slight hearing loss in his left ear.

While in town for a July 22 concert at Riverbend, Kid Rock read an Enquirer story about Colyer's attack and was moved to help, said Nick Stern, a New York City representative of the musician.

Colyer was attacked from behind with a two-by-four and a brick the night of July 20 as he delivered pizzas in College Hill. At the time, he was working to pay for nursing classes and his car.

"They came within a hair of killing him," said his mother, Brenda Colyer.

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, declined Wednesday via Stern to comment on the donation, something Stern said the rocker quietly and regularly does to help those in need, not for publicity.

Colyer said he has never really listened to Kid Rock's music. But his mother, 63, said she has been a fan since she saw him perform with 1950s rock and roll singer and pianist Jerry Lee Lewis on television some years ago.

The check, which came in the mail last week, was a bright spot in an otherwise dreary time right now for Harry Colyer.

He is frustrated he can't work and had to delay returning to school until the winter semester. He said he won't be well enough to start classes this month at Cincinnati State and Technical Community College.

And he's angry at the 20-year-old man and two teens charged with his attack.

"There's many times I've been down and out and needed money," he said. "The options I considered are work hard, pick up another couple shifts, get another job. These kids took the wrong way out and chose to beat my face in for a few bucks."

Even though the police report lists $15 was stolen from him, he thinks he really had about $8 on him that night, just enough to make change.

Steven Shields has been indicted on charges of aggravated robbery and felonious assault, court records show. The juveniles, 14 and 17, remain in custody at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Youth Center on aggravated robbery charges, county juvenile officials said Wednesday.

The teens are scheduled to appear Aug. 31 in juvenile court for a hearing to determine if they will be tried as adults.

I've gotten up and gone into work everyday since I was 16," Colyer said. "I can't go to school. I can't even sit and focus on television too long without getting a headache. They've taken - for a period of time - my entire life."

His mother said she expects him to recover, but he will have scars - physically and mentally.

"It's going to take him a long time just to kind of forget and forgive," Brenda Colyer said.