While doing some research for a blog about senseless
shootings across the country, I came across a breaking news report about a
gunman in Durham, North Carolina. Known
as “The Bull City,” Durham is the home of Duke University and North Carolina
Central University. The video
news broadcast showed an armed, visibly distraught and troubled man.
 |
| Derek D. Walker aka Derek Mortician personal Facebook photo |
Later reports
identified the man as Derek D. Walker, 26, an assistant mortician and native of
Durham. The father of a young son, he
reportedly was very distraught having lost a custody battle and visitation
rights.
I found myself reading various posts from Mr. Walker’s
Facebook page (he was identified under the moniker “Derek
Mortician”). One can clearly see
this young man had dealt with bouts of depression and had previously
contemplated suicide. He seemed to have
made it through that period by strengthening his religious beliefs. However in recent days his faith had deteriorated
greatly and thoughts of suicide had returned.
His Facebook post of September 17th unmistakably
said he was in trouble and he didn’t want to make it. He had turned away from friends and
supporters that had tried to reach out to him.
So on a cool late summer ‘s Tuesday afternoon, near the
symbol of his home town , this troubled and depressed man, who had lost faith
in the judicial system and his religious convictions, stood with gun in hand. Sometimes pointing the weapon at his head and
other times crying, talking to himself and gesturing with the weapon. Then finally, he points the firearm in the
direction of police officers who had assumed defensive positions. Shots rang out as horrified onlookers
screamed out. An unknown number of
rounds struck Derek Walker in his torso.
He died while en route to a nearby medical treatment facility.
Something is seriously wrong in our society when a human
being, struggling with the trials and tribulations that life can throw at you,
can elect to commit “suicide by cop.” And many of those designated to “protect
and serve” seem more than willing to grant wishes of death.
Did this young man need to die, a victim of the judicial system
that had already failed him? Or did he need to be heard? Did he need to be comforted? Did he need to know, that in time the pain and
anguish he felt, would pass?
It’s time for a change America. Let’s
take guns out of the hands of those troubled, disturbed and in anguish. Let’s take the guns out of the hands of the multitudes. Far too many seem to misuse these instruments
of death on a daily basis. It’s time for
a change in America.
I’m not hatin, I’m jus sayin…
