Local

Charlotte teen mistaken for Parkland survivor donates to Vietnam veteran

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte teen receiving unexpected name recognition is being praised for raising money for a local veteran.

David Hogg is a UNC Charlotte student and shares his name with a Parkland shooting survivor and gun control activist.

Months ago, Channel 9 reported Hogg received death threats and unwarranted attacks from online trolls.

Hogg has much different views than his Florida peer.

He is conservative and pro-Second Amendment.

Since the Parkland, Florida shooting, Hogg has gained more than 15,000 Twitter followers and he is putting them to good use.

A frequent volunteer, Hogg offered to clean the gutters for Walter Rutz, a Vietnam veteran who recently had knee surgery.

Hogg heard about Rutz's story and he wanted to give back.

"Vietnam vets weren't welcomed home," Hogg said. "We wanted to give him a proper welcome. He just had a knee surgery and we wanted to make sure everything was alright."

Rutz served in the Army and was drafted to serve in Vietnam while his friends went off to college.

When he returned from his service, he came back a different man and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

"When I came home, some of the psychiatrists said, ‘You're here, but your mind is still over there,’” Rutz said. “I couldn't hold jobs or anything. I was very depressed."

Rutz admits since his service he has had highs and lows. Recently he has been feeling down after undergoing a major knee surgery.

Hogg said he wanted to raise Rutz’s spirits.

Hogg raised more than $1,500 for the veteran. He turned that money into gift cards and received additional donations from restaurants and grocery stores.

Hogg gave Rutz the gifts on Thursday and a card with the first name of all the online people who donated.

"This was a great opportunity because I got to meet him, help him with a small thing and give him a big gesture," Hogg said. "I want to thank all of the people who donated because they are helping someone I care about."

Rutz was stunned and grateful.

"He's lifted me out of a slump," Rutz said. "He made me realize there are people who do care a lot. There are people who go above and beyond to go out and make things happen for people."

Donations included $1,000 to Food Lion, $500 to Walmart, free meals at Little Caesars and McDonald's, and grocery essentials from Food Lion and Earth Fare.

"I hope everything comes back to David and everybody else involved," he said. "I hope they have wonderful lives and all this goodness falls back."