A Sad State of Affairs

While i was away on vacation, a murder occurred here in my city.  I live in a city, so murders aren't exactly uncommon.  However this one was unlike most.  This one happened in a nice neighborhood (one of the most affluent of the area.)  This one happened at a little after 10:00a.m. on the morning of Good Friday.  This one happened while the victim, a 64 year old executive (and ex Air Force Reserve) was walking home from having coffee with his wife.  He had two step-sons.  He had a wife he adored.  He had a career he was very successful at.  He had a full life.  And now, he is gone.


This story has hit me harder than almost any other news story i have seen in a while.  I guess because most of the news stories are about people in areas that don't seem like my own, and they are about people who don't seem like they could be me, or my husband, or my father, or my friends.  My husband walks to the coffee shop in our neighborhood.  I walk all over this neighborhood with my children.  This heinous crime happened at 10:15 in the morning.  Not that it is acceptable at any time of day or night, but 10:15 in the morning?!?  


I am in shock.  And in a state of sadness.  I am feeling fragile in this world again.  I do not want to be afraid to  walk down the street.  I don't want to be afraid for my husband to.  
This kid (it was an 18 year old boy who committed the crime) took away a life for what?!?  He was "only" intending to rob the man, someone was quoted as saying.  But he didn't "only" rob him, he killed him, and he stole a woman's husband and two boys' father-figure in the process.


I am disgusted.  my heart goes out to this man's family.  my anger will not subside, so i may as well end this rant.  i hope for the sake of the victim's family and for his neighbors who heard the gunshots outside of their doors, that this kid gets the fullest extent of punishment, although in our lovely city, most criminals get the benefit of every doubt and walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist.  we shall see.


RIP RLB.  I'm sorry your life had to be cut short, and that your family must go on without you.