Archive for 2008
For Immediate Release
Posted in Project New Era on April 26, 2008 by projectnewera
Attention All Black Men, especially those located in the New York/Tri-State Area
Who: Gescard Isnora, Michael Oliver & Mark Cooper (pictured above in respective order)
What: Venomous and Malicious Murderers of Sean Bell
When: Crimes committed as early as 2006 but as of April 2008 were acquitted of a crime related to the murder and injury of black men
Where: New York State
Why: Cause Unknown…the bottom line is the three men pictured above took the life of an innocent man and were recently FREED by a judicial system that was put in place to protect us all. The decision was considered to be a ridiculous and extreme oversight by the presiding judge of said case. However, this is a mandatory bulletin and should be taken seriously. Please see bulletin referencing Amadou Diallo (whose killer was acquitted) and Ousmane Zongo (whose killer only received five years probation and 500 hours of community service). Should you encounter any of the men pictured above, it is strongly advised that you act accordingly and walk the other way. They are considered armed and dangerous. It is also advised that you keep your hands OUT of your pocket and IMMEDIATELY dispose of items such as brushes, cell phones or wallets.
EOM
Don’t Just Be Mad…
Posted in Project New Era on April 26, 2008 by projectnewera
….DO something. A friend and fellow blogger, Jasmine, posted this letter regarding the case against Sean Bell. As you all know, Sean Bell was MURDERED in NY by ‘upstanding police officers,’ but a verdict was rendered today of NOT GUILTY on ALL counts.
I’m sure that his wife will still get them in a civil suit but seriously? The value of black life in the United States is evidenced in the case of Sean Bell and many others like it. A lot of people are saying that there is no way that this case could be considered racially charged but I TRULY beg to differ. I’m willing to bet every level of my life that if this had been a white male who was brutally gunned down with 50 shots, the world wouldn’t hear the END of it. If you let ‘them’ tell it, we might as well be extinct because the JUDICIAL system says that we just DON’T matter.
I am urging you guys to take a stance. I am going to print this out in the morning (filling in MY information, of course) and send it off during my lunch break at work. Rather than sitting back and blogging about it, making videos discussing it, punching holes in the wall and rioting, DO SOMETHING! We can’t sit around and HOPE that the NAACP has our back…it’s been proven time and again that they sorely pick and choose what battles it is that they want to fight. We are not required to leave everything in their hands. We can make moves….
And if you think for a second that it’s not a big deal…if there is even a HINT of doubt in your mind that this is not serious enough to use ONE stamp & ONE envelope to send off a letter bearing your signature showing the ‘system’ that you DO care and that you DO matter…I strongly ENCOURAGE you to remember…it could have been YOU that was shot 50 times and missing out on LIFE!
It’s your call…..
Commissioner Kelly:
New York Police Department
Office of the Commissioner
One Police Plaza
New York NY 10038
Your Name
Address
City State Zip
Commissioner Raymond Kelly,
I am writing to you as a citizen of the state of _____. Like many across the country, I have been following the Sean Bell case and eagerly awaiting what I was sure would be a fair and just verdict in the case against Officers Oliver, Cooper and Isnora. I am sad to say that, in my opinion, this was not at all the case.
I am aware that the position of a police officer is one that carries with it great stress,a need for quick thinking and not nearly as much respect as it deserves. However, in Sean Bell’s case, this was a gross abuse of power and excessive force. As a citizen of the United States, I am outraged at the verdict handed down in the case of Sean Bell. I am equally outraged with time and time again hearing of abuses such as this coming from a police force you oversee.
I understand that you cannot overturn the verdict. However, I implore you to take immediate action. These officers, along with Officers Headly and Carey, need to be dismissed from their posts. The change in training that officers receive has been noted, but is it enough? Are we due for another outrageous show of violence at the hands of your officers in the near future? I truly hope that is not the case.
These acts within your ranks cannot be erased. Your role in being the head of a group that employs such cowards serving along with, and tarnishing the image of, the noble officers you do have cannot be erased either. You hold just as much responsibility as they do. [If I was] [As] a resident of the City of New York, I [would be] [am] calling for your position to be questioned as well. An action such as this requires swift and long reaching changes to prevent its reoccurrence. Your tenure has certainly not been without other moments of gross negligence and reckless behavior on the part of YOUR officers. It is time to make sure this never happens again, and not just give lip service to a ‘better tomorrow’. It is my sincere hope that your current staff does not repeat, yet again, any or all of the actions taken by Officers Oliver, Cooper, Isnora, Headly and Carey.
I am looking forward to reports of major changes at One Police Plaza and for those changes to reach EVERY precinct in New York.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
I’m sure that his wife will still get them in a civil suit but seriously? The value of black life in the United States is evidenced in the case of Sean Bell and many others like it. A lot of people are saying that there is no way that this case could be considered racially charged but I TRULY beg to differ. I’m willing to bet every level of my life that if this had been a white male who was brutally gunned down with 50 shots, the world wouldn’t hear the END of it. If you let ‘them’ tell it, we might as well be extinct because the JUDICIAL system says that we just DON’T matter.
I am urging you guys to take a stance. I am going to print this out in the morning (filling in MY information, of course) and send it off during my lunch break at work. Rather than sitting back and blogging about it, making videos discussing it, punching holes in the wall and rioting, DO SOMETHING! We can’t sit around and HOPE that the NAACP has our back…it’s been proven time and again that they sorely pick and choose what battles it is that they want to fight. We are not required to leave everything in their hands. We can make moves….
And if you think for a second that it’s not a big deal…if there is even a HINT of doubt in your mind that this is not serious enough to use ONE stamp & ONE envelope to send off a letter bearing your signature showing the ‘system’ that you DO care and that you DO matter…I strongly ENCOURAGE you to remember…it could have been YOU that was shot 50 times and missing out on LIFE!
It’s your call…..
Commissioner Kelly:
New York Police Department
Office of the Commissioner
One Police Plaza
New York NY 10038
Your Name
Address
City State Zip
Commissioner Raymond Kelly,
I am writing to you as a citizen of the state of _____. Like many across the country, I have been following the Sean Bell case and eagerly awaiting what I was sure would be a fair and just verdict in the case against Officers Oliver, Cooper and Isnora. I am sad to say that, in my opinion, this was not at all the case.
I am aware that the position of a police officer is one that carries with it great stress,a need for quick thinking and not nearly as much respect as it deserves. However, in Sean Bell’s case, this was a gross abuse of power and excessive force. As a citizen of the United States, I am outraged at the verdict handed down in the case of Sean Bell. I am equally outraged with time and time again hearing of abuses such as this coming from a police force you oversee.
I understand that you cannot overturn the verdict. However, I implore you to take immediate action. These officers, along with Officers Headly and Carey, need to be dismissed from their posts. The change in training that officers receive has been noted, but is it enough? Are we due for another outrageous show of violence at the hands of your officers in the near future? I truly hope that is not the case.
These acts within your ranks cannot be erased. Your role in being the head of a group that employs such cowards serving along with, and tarnishing the image of, the noble officers you do have cannot be erased either. You hold just as much responsibility as they do. [If I was] [As] a resident of the City of New York, I [would be] [am] calling for your position to be questioned as well. An action such as this requires swift and long reaching changes to prevent its reoccurrence. Your tenure has certainly not been without other moments of gross negligence and reckless behavior on the part of YOUR officers. It is time to make sure this never happens again, and not just give lip service to a ‘better tomorrow’. It is my sincere hope that your current staff does not repeat, yet again, any or all of the actions taken by Officers Oliver, Cooper, Isnora, Headly and Carey.
I am looking forward to reports of major changes at One Police Plaza and for those changes to reach EVERY precinct in New York.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Accolades: 70 Year Old Learns to Read
Posted in Accolades, Project New Era on April 25, 2008 by projectnewera
This is the first of many for Project New Era. I heard of this story a couple of weeks ago and was extremely touched.
Alfred Williams is a 70 year old man in St. Joseph, Missouri who never learned to read. He was born the son of a sharecropper. Working all of his life to make a humble living for his family, Williams always had the desire to learn to read but was afraid to take advantage of any opportunity.
It’s never too late…and Mr. Williams truly serves as an inspiration to us all!
[SOURCE]
Filed Under: Racist Nutcase
Posted in Project New Era, Ridiculousness on April 25, 2008 by projectnewera
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of the accused but figured this would be an interesting read.
David Tauson, a 46 year old Asian male, has been indicted on federal charges of communicating threats via email and snail mail to blacks who dated interracially or children who were the product of race mixing.
In his threatening messages, he would often refer to blacks as ‘monkeys’ and even used the first person writing technique, referring to himself as a white woman or using the term “we.”
His reign of ‘terror’ lasted for almost two decades before he was actually tracked down. Tauson issued threats against Supreme Court JusticeClarence Thomas, Derek Jeter (NY Yankees) and actor Taye Diggs, to name a few.
And to think…he committed this crime while unemployed and living with his parents.
Click HERE and HERE to read more.
David Tauson, a 46 year old Asian male, has been indicted on federal charges of communicating threats via email and snail mail to blacks who dated interracially or children who were the product of race mixing.
In his threatening messages, he would often refer to blacks as ‘monkeys’ and even used the first person writing technique, referring to himself as a white woman or using the term “we.”
His reign of ‘terror’ lasted for almost two decades before he was actually tracked down. Tauson issued threats against Supreme Court JusticeClarence Thomas, Derek Jeter (NY Yankees) and actor Taye Diggs, to name a few.
And to think…he committed this crime while unemployed and living with his parents.
Click HERE and HERE to read more.
5 Murdered in Chicago
Posted in Crime, Murdered, Project New Era on April 25, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: (pictured left to right..Anthony Scales Jr., Whitney Flowers, Donovan Richardson…not pictured are two other victims…Reginald Walker & LaKesha Boss)
Original Article Found at CBS Chicago
Chicago police say the deaths of five people found murdered inside a Chatham neighborhood home were targeted, and neighbors should not panic.
Police said all the victims were beaten before being shot to death. And officers from the police prostitution, vice and narcotics units are also involved in the investigation.
Police brass called on the public to provide any information that may help solve the massacre. They added that the shootings appeared to be well-planned and that the home had been ransacked. Police said they do not know the motive, but they are talking to a number of people in the investigation.
A day after the murders, the house is still ringed in police tape as detectives try and solve the worst mass murder in Chicago since 2003. Investigators have ruled out murder-suicide and now believe more than one killer is on the loose.
“It’s still early but this doesn’t appear to be the work of one person,” said Cmdr. Eddie Welch of the Chicago Police Department.
And police believe the killers planned their attack.
“It wasn’t something that was random,” Welch said. “No killer running in the neighborhood. This was an event that was targeted. They were definitely targeted.”
Police say the home was ransacked. But they wouldn’t say if the killers forced their way inside before shooting three men and two women to death.
Project New Era Presents: Accolades
Posted in Accolades, Project New Era on April 25, 2008 by projectnewera
In an effort to make good on my word and actually diversify Project New Era, I would like to start adding some stories of positivity involving the black community. These stories can be on ANY topic, as long as its relevant to the mission of the site. If you have an interesting story about a child who overcame hardship, is on his/her way to college and you think that he/she deserves to be acknowledged…send it in! If you know of an African-American who is making positive moves within the community and probably NOT receiving the recognition that they deserve…send it in! If you’re starting a business or charitable organization that can benefit the black community or even if you see it as an accomplishment for yourself…by all means, SEND IT IN!
While these are just a few examples of the type of positivity I’m seeking to spread, please note that they’re ONLY examples and not the rule! I’m pretty open and will most certainly do my best to try and cover topics that also shed POSITIVE light on the black community. Even though we are definitely misrepresented by the media with regards to murder or missing cases and social injustices within the court system, we still have to continue to recognize our greatness and know that, in addition to the negative, there ARE some positives! Help me recognize the community by sending in your positive stories to: projectnewera@gmail.com. If you have newslinks, pictures or anything that you can provide in addition to the actual story, that would be most helpful! Please list the subject as “ACCOLADES” and I will do my best to get back with you as quickly as possible.
PNE
While these are just a few examples of the type of positivity I’m seeking to spread, please note that they’re ONLY examples and not the rule! I’m pretty open and will most certainly do my best to try and cover topics that also shed POSITIVE light on the black community. Even though we are definitely misrepresented by the media with regards to murder or missing cases and social injustices within the court system, we still have to continue to recognize our greatness and know that, in addition to the negative, there ARE some positives! Help me recognize the community by sending in your positive stories to: projectnewera@gmail.com. If you have newslinks, pictures or anything that you can provide in addition to the actual story, that would be most helpful! Please list the subject as “ACCOLADES” and I will do my best to get back with you as quickly as possible.
PNE
Missing: Janiya Norra
Posted in Missing, Project New Era on April 25, 2008 by projectnewera
Case Type: Non Family Abduction
DOB: Apr 25, 2006
Sex: Female
Missing Date: Mar 27, 2008
Race: Black
Age Now: 2
Height: 2’0″ (61 cm)
Weight: 25 lbs (11 kg)
Missing City: OAKLAND
Missing State : CA
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Missing Country: United States
Case Number: NCMC1094321
Circumstances: Janiya was last seen on March 27, 2008. She may be in the company of an adult female.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Janiya, please call 1-800-843-5678
Physically Abused
Posted in Child Abuse, Project New Era, Ridiculousness on April 25, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: In reviewing a few other news site’s regarding this issue, the 12 year old (whose name has been withheld) said that he “took it like a man.” Tell me why should a 12 year old child have to take ANYTHING like a man? I am in no way saying that there should be NO punishment for those who misbehave in school. But to this extent? If you know Cedrick Brown and his whereabouts, please contact the Miami Police Department at (305) 579-6630.
Original Article Found at NBC 6
A manhunt is under way in South Florida for a father accused of torturing his 12-year-old son.Meanwhile, the boy’s grandmother is jailed, charged with child neglect resulting in great harm after police claim the boy was beaten and burned with a hot iron for misbehaving in school.
Police said the boy’s father, Cedrick Brown, had been out of jail two days when the abuse occurred.
According to detectives, the boy was beaten with a belt and a stick, then burned with a hot iron, which left permanent scars on his legs. He was also bitten multiple times on his fingers and toes, police said.
Police said that Brown and his mother attempted to treat the child’s injuries and kept him home from school for several days after the alleged abuse.
The boy is now in the care of child protective services. Bond for the his grandmother, Annette Brown, is set at $10,000.
Miami police are urging anyone with information on Cedrick Brown’s whereabouts to contact them at (305) 579-6630. If anyone has information and wishes to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade Inc. at (305) 471-TIPS.
Absolutely NO WORDS
Posted in Child Abuse, Murdered, Project New Era, Ridiculousness, Sexual Assault, Torture on April 23, 2008 by projectnewera
Click HERE to watch the Youtube video regarding this case
*Editor’s Note: I believe that there is no such thing as a ‘recovered child molester.’ The commentator on this video said that there should be a ONE STRIKE, YOU’RE OUT rule and I agree 100%. You touch a child, to jail you go…do not pass go, do not collect $200 you nasty heathen! There should be no forgiveness when you sexually assault and kill a defenseless CHILD. I can not even begin to IMAGINE what this young boy was thinking when he was being violated by a sick and obviously incestuous family!
I’m warning you…this is, by FAR, the nastiest most disgusting thing I have EVER watched! Although there are no graphic pictures, the words that you hear that create the story of what was DONE to this poor child is CHILLING! In a very short summary, the father and son (David and George Edenfield, respectively) took turns raping and performing oral sex on Christopher while the mother (Peggy Edenfield) watched and masturbated. Once they choked the boy to death, Peggy then took a wet rag and attempted to wipe the finger prints off his neck. They later calledDonald Dale (last male pictured) to help them dispose of the body. Absolutely horrific! Crazy that I happened to be in Atlanta in 2007 and had heard nothing of this story. May Christopher RIP and know that he will NEVER, EVER be touched like that again!! Click HERE for the memorial site for Christopher.
CLICK HERE to read the story posted by Fox News
CLICK HERE to read the story posted by Fox News
RIP: Lois Jean Ivory
Posted in Crime, Found Dead, Murdered, Project New Era on April 22, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: At the time this was printed on PNE, the MURDERER, Eric Christopher Hodges, had been caught. May Ms. Ivory RIP!!
Original Article Found at Denton RC
Grand Prairie police were searching Monday for a man they believe was involved in the slaying of a DeSoto cabdriver Sunday night.The body of Lois Ivory, 53 – a mother of several grown children who had been driving taxis for at least 18 years – was found seated in her Yellow Cab in the 100 block of Dorris Drive about 9 p.m., police said.
She had been shot once, probably with a revolver, police said.
A judge has issued an arrest warrant for 31-year-old Eric Christopher Hodges, who was Ms. Ivory’s final fare of the evening.
Investigators said they did not have a motive for the killing.
“There were two people that do know what happened; our victim is one of them, and the shooter is the other,” Detective John Brimmer said.
It was unclear why Ms. Ivory was in the neighborhood where her body was found, he said, but residents said her yellow van had been parked there for more than an hour.
“We don’t think that this guy knows anybody in that neighborhood,” Detective Brimmer said.
Ms. Ivory was a single mother with two sons and two daughters, longtime friend June Williams said Monday.
She had been driving taxis as long as Ms. Williams had known her – about 18 years – and enjoyed it because she enjoyed people.
“She was an outgoing person,” Ms. Williams said. “I don’t think she ever met a stranger.”
Ms. Ivory was also president of World-Wide Independent Transportation, which she formed as an umbrella company for taxi drivers so they could receive insurance and other benefits. Ms. Williams, the organization’s secretary, said it had not yet gotten off the ground.
“We had seen so many of them get killed; no insurance, no nothing,” she said.
Knowledge: Alonzo Herndon
Posted in Project New Era on April 21, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: While listening to the radio this morning, I heard about a building in Atlanta that was called the Black Lawyers building (also written as “Herndon Home” in some articles) that was to be demolished due to the damage caused by the tornado that recently swept through Atlanta. I thought it was interesting that I’d never heard of Mr. Alonzo Herndon but immediately wanted to know more about one of Atlanta’s FIRST black millionaires. Want to talk about doing BIG things? He and his wife, Adrienne McNeil, were considered Atlanta’s first black power couple. To keep in the spirit of promoting blacks in media, I thought I’d take a break from the ‘sad’ news of the world and post about a man who was motivated, a man who had a vision…a man we can definitely take some pointers from, for he is a TRUE inspiration! Ladies & Gentlemen….Alonzo Herndon!
Original Article Found at Answers
Herndon’s early life and family history represent a fascinating microcosm of black American life in the pre-and post-Civil War South. Herndon was born on July 21, 1858, to Sophenie Herndon, a slave. His father was Frank Herndon, the white farmer to whose Social Circle, Georgia land Sophenie was restricted. The young Herndon was one of 25 slaves owned by his father, who never acknowledged paternity. He also had a younger brother, Thomas, as well as a number of half-brothers and half-sisters born to other slave women on the Herndon farm.
Herndon was four years old when President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, freed the slaves in the Southern states that had seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy, but was seven when Frank Herndon released them when the war ended. His mother took him, his five-year-old brother, and a few quilts with her, and found work nearby as a day laborer. With the Southern economy wrecked, she was forced to accept payment in molasses, potatoes, or other provisions in order to feed her sons. She eventually went back to work on the Herndon farm, living in a one-room log cabin with four other former slave families and being paid pitifully meager wages. To make ends meet, Herndon and his brother worked in the fields as well alongside their mother and grandparents, and he had very little formal schooling as a result. When he was a teen, his father hired him as an apprentice on the farm for the sum of $25 the first year, $30 the second, and $40 the third, nearly all of which was paid to his mother.
(Cont.) To read the rest of his-tory, please CLICK HERE
Where Are His Parents?
Posted in Project New Era on April 20, 2008 by projectnewera
I totally understand being angry with George Bush. I, personally, am EXCITED that he will be out of office soon!
However, I do not agree with threatening violence against someone…especially if said violence is coming from a child.
Where are his parents? Warning, this video DOES CONTAIN explicit language!
Click HERE to watch the crazy video.
However, I do not agree with threatening violence against someone…especially if said violence is coming from a child.
Where are his parents? Warning, this video DOES CONTAIN explicit language!
Click HERE to watch the crazy video.
Donate to the Hungry
Posted in Project New Era on April 20, 2008 by projectnewera
Here’s something that’s newsworthy. Other websites may have reported it before but I’m going to post it here. The website is called Free Rice and the premise of the site is for every word that you correctly define, they will donate 20 grains of rice to the hungry! It’s very easy to do. There are no time limits, no ‘retracting’ of rice for incorrect answers, NOTHING. Just get the words right and bam, you’re doing your part! In addition to donating to those in need, you’re also building your vocabulary…all forFREE! Who can beat that?
Again, FREE RICE….let’s do it DAILY people!
Again, FREE RICE….let’s do it DAILY people!
Filed Under: Ridiculousness
Posted in Project New Era, Ridiculousness on April 20, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: Here’s to hoping that the un-named 11 year old has some sense of normalcy in her life.
Original Article Found at First Coast News
A 31 year old man from Jacksonville has been arrested on child rape charges.
Investigators say early Sunday morning, Kenneth Bernard Silas woke up a child he knew and told her he needed to “prostitute her.”
According to the police report, the child said Silas told her if she did not comply, members of her family would be killed.
St. Johns County detectives say Silas drove the girl from Jacksonville to a remote area in St. Johns County, parked the car in a stranger’s garage, and took the girl inside an abandoned house on County Road 208.
Sunday morning, a man called deputies when he noticed a car parked in his work garage that should not have been there.
When deputies arrived, at 4650 County Road 208, they found drugs in the car and then searched a nearby house.
Deputies said they found Silas and a girl who was younger than 12 years old in one of the bedrooms.
Silas was arrested.
When asked what had happened, the police report says the girl told officers she had to be a prostitute for Silas or someone would kill her aunts.
However, Sgt. Mike Strausbaugh said Silas admitted to making up the story to the little girl so he could make her do what he wanted her to do.
Strausbaugh said Silas raped the girl in the abandoned house.
Silas faces charges of capital sexual battery, false imprisonment, burglary, child abuse, drug possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Strausbaugh said Silas told detectives drugs made him do these acts.
The child has been returned to her mother. Strausbaugh said the Department of Children and Families has been notified. Strausbaugh said officials are hoping to get the child some counseling.
Burned to Death: Amelia Sookdeo
Posted in Murdered, Project New Era, Ridiculousness on April 20, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: I’m going to try and sum this up b/c the video doesn’t really tell the full story. Amelia was a 17 year old high school student dating 21 year old Dane Abdool. Dane was known by many to be a “player” of sorts and Amelia was falling for him. Apparently, Amelia ‘faked’ a pregnancy in order to get Dane to turn their relationship up a notch (from sex to an actual relationship). Dane and Amelia had an argument one night regarding the ‘pregnancy,’ which led to him driving her home. But before doing so, he stopped at a gas station and bought some duct tape and gasoline. He then drove Amelia to a remote area, bound her with the duct tape, poured gasoline all over her and set her on fire. This has to be THE MOST tragic story ever. Click HERE to read more or simply watch the video posted below. RIP, Amelia!Murdered: Harsun Cherry
Posted in Child Abuse, Murdered, Project New Era on April 19, 2008 by projectnewera
Child Endangering Murderer, Yolanda Cordana
*Editor’s Note: Unbelievable. So in addition to her being a violent murderer, she also endangers the life/welfare of children? Again…unbelievable. RIP Harsun Cherry!
Click HERE for a more detailed account of this story.
Original Article Found at WFMZ
Police say Harsun Cherry, 29, died at Easton Hospital just before 9pm on Friday night after being shot on Thursday night in Easton. Yolanda Cardona, 25, is being charged with homicide and endangering the welfare of a child, among other charges. Police say Cardona shot Cherry just after 10pm on Thursday night in the 100-block of North 8th Street in the City of Easton. She then locked herself in her house with her young child. She was taken into custody after a five-hour stand-off with State Police. Cherry was taken to the hospital with serious injuries on Thursday night. Police say Cardona and Cherry were in an ongoing relationship and the incident began as a domestic dispute. Police said the weapon Cardona used was stolen. She’s in the Northampton County Prison without bail.RIP: Rafael Christian
Posted in Murdered, Project New Era on April 18, 2008 by projectnewera
*Editor’s Note: I feel really bad for this kid’s mother. According to reports, he had a pellet gun on him and announced to the police that he had it…and that it was fake. Right now, there is a lot of ‘he said/she said’ going on. Several of Christian’s friends and other eyewitnesses are coming forth and saying that he pleaded for them not to shoot. I’m sure that more of this story will unfold and as it does, I will post it here on PNE. Click HERE for a related story. Please note that I am in NO WAY supporting a young man carrying a gun of any sort, nor am I supporting the notion that its okay to evade authority. I think that more of my disgusts lies in the fact that cops seem to get away with a LOT these days. I will say that if there is no funny business related to this story, cops are usually stuck between a rock and a hard place. It is their duties as officers of the law to respond to danger (in this case, Christian having a gun). But it still stings to know that a life is gone….
Original Article Found at AJC
Rafael Christian moved with his family from Cincinnati to escape violence that had claimed his friends’ lives, his family said. He died Wednesday evening from police gunfire.
Now, Christian’s family wants answers.
“Nothing makes sense. None of it makes sense,” his mother, Brandy Phillips, said Thursday night.
The 16-year-old was fatally shot by Marietta police responding to a report of a suspicious person with a weapon. The weapon turned out to be a pellet gun that resembled a semiautomatic handgun, police said.
Now Christian’s family is struggling to understand how this could happen.
“They ended a life,” said Anita Dixon, Christian’s aunt.
Christian and four friends were hanging out at the Bentley Manor apartment complex on Bentley Road about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was showing his friends the air-powered pellet gun he had recently bought.
Marietta police, meanwhile, responded to a report of someone with a gun, police said.
Christian’s friends said the officers surprised them and came on the scene waving guns.
“Nobody knew the police were coming,” one of Christian’s friends, Kenny Drake, said. “All they said was, ‘Freeze!’ One told me, ‘You move, I shoot.’ “
Two of the teens tried to flee, but Dwayne Conley, 14, said he stopped when an officer drew a gun on him.
Christian continued to run for another 20 yards, went around the corner of a nearby building and was shot by two officers, Drake said.
“When he went around the building, I heard him screaming for a good three seconds,” Drake said. “Then it just went quiet.”
Police said the officers on the scene believed Christian’s pellet gun to be a Beretta .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol. “It looks like your standard automatic weapon,” police spokesman Mark Bishop said.
Witnesses said Christian tried to tell police the gun was only a toy.
Missing: Asia Lacocco Randle
Posted in Missing, Project New Era on April 16, 2008 by projectnewera
DOB: Nov 12, 1991
Sex: Female
Missing Date: Apr 2, 2008 Race: Black
Age Now: 16
Height: 5’11″ (180 cm)
Weight: 178 lbs (81 kg)
Missing City: Watauga
Missing State: TX
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Circumstances: Asia was last seen on April 2, 2008. She may be in the company of an adult male. They may be in the local area. Asia has a tattoo on her left wrist that says “Deja”. She may go by the nickname Coco. CAUTION ADVISED.
Missing: Adriana Warwell
Posted in Missing, Project New Era on April 16, 2008 by projectnewera
DOB: Nov 21, 1997
Missing: Dec 29, 2007
Height: 4’10″ (147 cm)
Eyes: Brown
Race: Biracial
Age at time of disappearance: 10
Sex: Female
Weight: 71 lbs (32 kg)
Hair: Brown
Missing From:Missouri City, TX
Adriana was last seen on December 29, 2007. She may bein the company of her non-custodial grandmother. Adriana is Biracial (black & hispanic) and has a scar on her chin.
Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office (Texas)
281-341-4665
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