What a day...continued

Just after my post yesterday my roommate called. She was at the home and had heard several gunshots. She looked outside and the police cars were flooding in.

Just a little back ground. I live in the city. My neighborhood is one that 10 years ago people avoided like the plague because just driving through meant you were putting your life in danger. It is full of beautiful houses that are slowly being renovated and thus I found a gorgeous house for a VERY low price. AND I can walk or ride my bike to campus

For the most part, my neighbors are great. Some are new to the hood, like myself, and others have been there for 50 years. Everyone is friendly and looks out for each other. There are a few that are not such upstanding citizens though.

One of said citizens was home yesterday afternoon and spotted someone trying to break into his girlfriends car. While my reaction would be to call the police, he did not take such action. Instead he got his gun, chased the would be robber down, and shot him 6 times. He ended up dying at the hospital a little while later. Police arrested the shooter.

This took place less than a block from my house. My roommate called me as soon as she knew it was gunshots that she heard. I had ridden my bike to school and she didn't want me riding through the neighbor hood if there was a shooter on the loose. At the time we had no clue what happened except that there were gunshots and about 15 police cruisers. I have such a thoughtful roommate! She came and picked me up!

This is not typical of our area, but about 5 or 6 blocks north of me is where all of the action usually takes place. I guess it spills over every now and then.

I hate to pass judgement without knowing all of the details, but a stray bullet could have injured an innocent bystander! There were lots of people in their homes who witnessed the shooting. One reported a bullet had gone through their window. I understand how enraging it can be when someone violates your property, but does is warrant you to shoot at will? The 1st pricinct is two blocks away, a cop could have been there in less than a minute. As they were when you opened fire.

Anyhow, on happier note. I finally came out yesterday to a very close friend of mine that lives in another state. I wrote her a two page letter because I had hidden alot from her and felt the need to explain myself a bit. She called me after she read the email last night, but I was at a concert.

The message went something like this. "You best be doing something very important and not avoiding my phone call. I can't beleive you never told me any of that stuff you whore. You know that none of it matters and I love you anyways. Call me back asap!"

I would say that is a pretty good outcome. I feel a huge sense of relief but I know she is going to have alot more questions that are going to be hard for me to answer. Not looking forward to that, but the worst is over!