Friday Follies...
Here we are...another weekend staring us boldly in the face.
So, let us grab the reins and take charge of the next 72 or so hours...
As mentioned at the end of yesterday's post, here's the story about Fort Wayne's 5th homicide.
This is one paper's account:
(( Police investigating shooting death of man in apartment
By Aaron Organ of The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a man inside a southeast-side apartment early Thursday.
Police were called to an apartment at 3323 Diplomat Drive, inside the Diplomat Apartments complex just off Wayne Trace, around 9 a.m. after a man called to say his friend was not answering calls and that he had not seen him for 24 hours. That brought police to the one-story apartment, where officers found a man dead.
A man told The News-Sentinel the deceased is a 22-year-old Fort Wayne man and the best friend of his sons, who reported the incident told police. The man said he had helped raise the shooting victim since age 11.
The victim’s identity will not be released until after an autopsy is completed by the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
Police arriving at the apartment had to force the door open because it was locked by a chain, but halted after declaring the victim dead. A search warrant was requested.
The source told The News-Sentinel that the victim did not live at the address, and police spokeswoman Raquel Foster said police have not yet determined who rents the apartment.
Crime scene tape was strewn around the front and spanned the entire rear of the apartment.
Neighbors could be scene peering through windows as police worked the scene.
At least four of those residents said they heard no gunshots or disturbances leading up to the discovery of the victim.
"No, I didn’t hear anything," one woman said. "It’s been quiet."
Residents inside the apartment neighboring the one where the man was found said they heard nothing, as well.
A bullet hole could be seen in the apartment’s front window. The window’s miniblinds were closed, with a bullet hole through a panel.
Police detained at least one individual for questioning after finding the body, Foster said.
She added that person is not a suspect, since the case is still only a death investigation.
If ruled a homicide, the death will mark the fifth in Allen County in 2010. All have occurred on the Fort Wayne’s southeast side. ))
And here is a link to the story from WPTA
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/85341957.html
Now, I was listening to the police radio yesterday morning, so I had a "better seat" at the event.
Originally, medics did not find any evidence of foul play UNTIL they turned the man over and discovered blood on his shirt. it was then they noticed the bullet hole in his back making it a crime scene and the area was taped off. The bullet hole in the front window was found soon after that. No weapon or shell casing was found in the apartment at that time.
I will be updating this as facts become available.
Now what I find interesting is that, at this pace, we're looking at close to THIRTY SIX HOMICIDES this year. But I still like my "magic" number of twenty-five. Also, it's not all that amazing that ALL the homicides (so far) this year were on the SOUTHEAST SIDE.
And what ELSE do we have in abundance on the SOUTHEAST side, folks?
Drugs...and guns...and burglaries...and robberies...oh, and the largest concentration of MINORITY populations.
Now, we could ALSO argue that the southeast side has the POOREST people in the city, and that crime follows in poverty's footsteps.
I don't really "bet the farm" on blanket statements like THAT, though.
When I see SO many brand new vehicles parked in front of houses that have become so rundown and blighted to the point of "slumdom" (Bob's lexicon), my FIRST thought is NOT one of poverty...not with that shiny Escalade parked there, blasting (c)rap music.
And all these loudass stereos cost a pretty penny, too as do those fancy-ass (and moronic) big rims on these vehicles.
The price of the rims alone can be anywhere from $1500 and up (mostly UP), and the tires cost at least a few "c-notes" apiece.
So where IS all this "poverty" we're talking about, hmm?
A study done a few years back said that THIS quadrant (southeast) had the SECOND LARGEST buying power in the entire city!
That means SOMEONE'S got some moolah to toss around, doesn't it?
And if all the people down here are "supposed to be poor", then we either have a very few people with a TON o' money...OR, someone loused up those figures...OR...the drug trade bears witness to the statement that CRIME DOES PAY...(and quite well).
Either way...it's life (and death) on the southeast side of town...
(( Editor's Update: The victim of the shooting was ID'ed as Cameron Lee Richardson, 22. The coroner HAS ruled the cause of death as gunshot wound(s), and it IS the 5th homicide this year. ))
** In a somewhat related story, one of our local white trash asshats was FINALLY nailed for DUI (and for leaving the scene of an accident). This happened back on 17 February, when a Danny Vitcenda (of the 4900 block of South Harrison St) was apparently caught leaving the scene of an accident.
I've been all over this turd like white on rice...for months. This is a guy that pissed away a good job at our local GM plant, thanks to booze, and has been a neighborhood problem ever since.
His truck is easy enough to spot...has CABELA'S decals on the doors, and although was originally ALL green, has since become a multitude of hues, thanks to his poor driving and drinking while doing so.
Not to mention that a truck that is raised up THIS high is illegal in city limits...or SHOULD be. The mufflers are straight pipes, so there is also a noise issue whenever he hits the gas.
He also likes to carry a 1/2 gallon bottle of vodka (in the "tool chest" in the truck bed) from which he's been known to drink from, as I've seen him do so on the damn street.
And he also has a high-powered rifle (I think it's an SKS, but I've never seen it) in his possession, and was known for shooting holes in the floor of a former house he lived at (down our very street).
Like I say...this guy is "twenty miles of bad road", and he drives our streets. Well, maybe not for a while now (hopefully).
I'd love to think his license will be revoked...Lord knows we could use the calm that not having him driving about would bring.
So, to whatever FWPD officer pulled his ass over and busted him, stop by the house...I owe you a cup of coffee and a donut.
(or a beer if I see you at a pub)
** I just have to comment on yesterday's "dog and pony" show on TV, namely the "Health care Summit", or, as I prefer to call it "The Hope for Revenge of the Empire's Phantom Menace Clones"...LOL
Now, did anyone else think Obama acted like a spoiled kid who just wanted to take his toys (as well as yours) and go home?
The good thing is that we found out most ALL of us qualify for VICE-PRESIDENTIAL status!
(as was overheard on an open mike "Being a V.P is EASY - You don't have to do ANYTHING" ) Yeah, I know we're all jumping to sign the hell up NOW, aren't we? The funny thing, is that the Lords of the Sith (Pelosi, Reid, et al) will attempt to push this bill through using a tactic called "reconciliation" (A basic majority of 51 votes).
Well, that's WRONG (Constitutionally-speaking), because it doesn't apply to THIS type of bill...only bills connected with BUDGETARY venues. You cannot invoke it with a POLICY type of bill. Sorry, kids...nice try.
Aw, yeah....if it's not the FEDS trying to do something illegal, it's the locals in my part of town...ALSO doing something illegal.
Such consistency in action....how lucky we all must feel, right?
** Lastly, a word of condolence to Walter Koenig and his wife on the tragic loss of their son, Andrew (found dead in Canada) this week.
I met Walter twice (once in NYC - in an elevator of all things) and again in Indy. He's great people and wonderful to chat with one-on-one, and yes, I do have an autographed picture of him from the old days.
But it's sad to lose a son (or anyone close) due to depression. I know what it's like to be that depressed. Fortunately, a higher power has seen fit to watch over me, and that goes a LONG way to deal with it.
My "Guardian Angel" used to put in some MAJOR O/T!
(hope there was proper compensation given)
No parent should ever have to bury a son or daughter.
So my thoughts and prayers are with the Koenigs.
For all my friends on the east coast, stay warm, take your time shoveling all that (new) snow, keep the Ben-Gay handy and the cocoa hot.
For everyone else...do some good today, make a difference somewhere, have a great weekend, and...


Stay safe out there, America.