Charity run helps family still healing years after violent attack

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) -
Four years ago the Ciprianos were brutally attacked by their own son and his friend.

The father died from his injuries and the rest of the family is still recovering from their physical and emotional wounds. M.L. Elrick shows how their neighbors and friends are reaching out.

They didn't finish Friday's fun run first, but the Cipriano family did something more important - they finished together.

To appreciate the significance of their feat. you have to go back five years to a time they would rather forget.

Tucker Cipriano invaded his family home, killed his father, gravely injured his mother and his brother Sal.

Friends rallied to support the family financially and emotionally with a 5K run at the Farmington Family YMCA on Friday.

"Our dad, he loved to run, so this is his event right here," said  "Tanner Cipriano, one of Bob's sons. "This is what he'd love."

Since it started, the race raised more than $200,000.

"It gives us a lot of support for our heart and soul," said Rose Cipriano, their mother. "This is what means more than the financial help."

"Every year we look forward to it," Tanner said. "There's a lot of people coming out. They know of us and we know of them. It's always cool to meet new people that care about our family."

More than 700 people ran and dragged Fido out to support the family.

"The Ciprianos are an amazing family and it's just something great to come out and do for them," said one runner.

It didn't matter to man where they finished or how they finished. The important thing was to be there.

Rose Cipriano says her son Sal's road to recovery is more like a rollercoaster. But his twin brother Tanner sees progress.

"Each year he gets better," Tanner said. "Especially when our friends are here and our family is here and we can walk across the finish line together."

You may know the Cipriano family for the worst reason, tragedy. But there's something else you should know how from something unspeakable, they are bringing the community together with four words: Just Keep Loving People.