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Church collecting donations for Franklin Regional stabbing suspect

MURRYSVILLE, Pa. — A church in Murrysville is collecting donations to help the boy accused of stabbing 21 at Franklin Regional High School last month.
 
Members of Calvary Lutheran Church have collected hundreds of dollars for Alex Hribal's mounting legal expenses.
 
Hribal's family does not belong to the church, but the church has received cards containing money and messages of hope for Hribal's family.
 
"My heart breaks, especially for them," said Kris Birus, the chairman of the congregation.
 
Birus started the fund after penning a letter in a local paper, expressing compassion for the family.
 
A spokesman said church members are just trying to be compassionate for Hribal and his family.
 
"As a mom myself, I think 'What if that were my kid?' I put myself in their shoes," she said.
 
"We feel called to respond to helping his family and him.  That's as pure as it gets," said the Rev. David Weeks.
 
Weeks said he expected some pushback but the reaction has been relatively positive.
 
"My passion is to not leave anyone out," he said.

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