I needed to tell someone...........

Merika · 05-15-2006, 12:19 PM

Code:

Man Found Dead in Mayport Apartment Complex
Last Update: 5/11/2006 10:12:12 PM

A man was found dead Thursday night in a Mayport apartment complex.

Police say it happened around 8 p.m. in the Mayport Trace Apartments in the 2100 block of Mayport Road.

Witnesses say they heard gunshots, and that's when they called police.

Ken Jefferson, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, says they don't have many details, but are not ruling out foul play. They are still in the beginning stages of the investigation.

FOX30 News will keep you updated on this developing story.

This has been all the talk due to it being not very far from where we live. It was considered a very bloody death as well as gang related.

The reason I am posting it on here is because the Homicide detectives picked up Chloe at school today because she is their key witness. Apparently, she was there and saw the whole thing. One of the kids in the apartment complex saw her coming out of there and knew who she was due to her singing at the football games. They were at school waiting on her this morning because they couldn't get her name over the weekend from the school.

She is in NO trouble. She only witnessed it. Chloe was there because one of these SOB's apparently gives tattoo's without parental permission. (It's an ugly tattoo poorly done with her name on her leg. I can only hope the needles were clean.)

I knew she was very emotionally upset all weekend...I thought it was because of the situation with her dad. As it was she was getting a tattoo done when someone barged into the apartment and shot the guy who was only a couple of feet from her. She went into a panic and ran. She called me to pick her up at the Quick Stop. She did not tell me anything about it. She did tell me she spilled a cherry coke all over herself. She found out the next day that the guy had died. I do not know if she had known him previously nor do I know anything about him as far as age and name.

So, the detectives brought her here from school to get the blood splattered clothes she had hid in her bedroom. They do not know if they will have to put her in any protective custody because that is a known gang area with lots of problems lately. (A 16 year old was shot just a few weeks ago in the same area for blabbing about someone selling drugs.)

I can't imagine all that happening to her. Even with the $1000 reward, she was too afraid to talk.

Well...it took me 45 minutes to write this. Thanks for listening. I need to drive on down to the states attorney's office now to pick her up.

It sure is hard raising kids these days.

Weiser · 05-15-2006, 12:23 PM

Damn, I hope it works out for the best...that's rough.

twinkle · 05-15-2006, 01:03 PM

OMG, I cannot believe this is happening to you, Merika.

What did the police say? I think that the bad guys will get caught in the end, it's the policemen's business to do so without involving Chloe.

I'm praying for you two.

darkangelism · 05-15-2006, 05:52 PM

OMFG, thats insane, Hopefully she wont need protective custody, cause that would mean she would be out of contact...if you need some place for her to go though, she can come out here.

BattleaxE · 05-15-2006, 07:40 PM

OMG I'm at a loss for words. I can't even imagine how Chloe functioned after witnessing something like that. You must be worried sick Merika. I don't know what to say except that I will keep you in my prayers.

Meanon · 05-15-2006, 07:41 PM

I can't believe it! That's just awful, Merika.

How is she? Give her a kiss from me. You know she's always welcome here too if she needs a change of scene for a while. I'll contact you tomorrow.

DA would they really seperate someone of Chloe's age from their family or force them to give evidence if they were too frightened to, for that matter? I think it seems unlikely but I may be wrong.

Merika · 05-15-2006, 08:05 PM

Here's the story so far........

They kept her for 5 hours. She said they had her in a regular office and treated her very well and were nice to her.

Here's the latest news...but it's not the whole story:
http://www.cbs47.com/news/local/stor...7-9ACEF675A2B7

Code:

Mayport man may have been killed over swastika tattoo
Last Update: 5/12/2006 9:41:42 PM

Police are investigating the death of a 19-year-old Mayport man, who may have been killed over his swastika tattoo.

Chad Henderson was killed at the Mayport Trace Apartment complex Thursday night.

Two witnesses say a group of young people were hanging out at the complex that evening when a black teen suspect exchanged heated words with Henderson. The suspect then pulled out a gun and shot him.

Henderson was 19 years old.

One witness says she heard the suspect tell Henderson, Ã¢Â€ÂœYou know I play with guns,Ã¢Â€Â and Henderson reply, Ã¢Â€ÂœYouÃ¢Â€Â™re talking to me?Ã¢Â€Â ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s when the witness says Henderson was shot.

Police are still gathering information on the suspect. Witnesses told police they only know him by his nickname and that he us about 17 years old.

Actually, the full name of the person who committed the murder is known (his name is Benjamin) and he is 24. He is the boyfriend of Chloe's best friend. Chloe was sitting next to the white boy who was shot. He fell over on her. Because there was pot on the coffee table, she grabbed her girlfriend and they ran. Everyone else ran too.

The cops found a paper in the garbage can with her name on it. It was the 'stencil' used for her tattoo. They asked around and the kids in the neighborhood thought it was the girl who sang at the football games. They went to the school and found her. She was their first eye witness and did give them all the information.

Her friend, who is in love with this thug, screamed and hollered so bad until they had to haul her off in a holding cell. They did send Chloe in to calm her down. Ofcourse the conversation was recorded. At that time her girlfriend told her that Boo (Benjamin) had said he should've shot all the white people in the room because one of them would end up talking. The investigators have this on film.

Benjamin is one of the new gangs who came to Jacksonville with the Katrina rejects. Now you know why I wish they would've left them on the bridge.

Chloe is spastic and scared he or his friends will kill her. We do have extra cars patrolling the house tonight. I will keep her home from school tomorrow in hopes they find the little b*stard. He's been in prison twice so it's a possibility it will be considered a capitol offense with a possible death penalty. This is also tough for Chloe because she knows him and her girlfriend loves him. It's emotional turmoil all the way around for her.

I'll take her tomorrow to have her checked for any problems due to the tattoo that wasn't done in a real parlor and may have been done with a dirty needle. Here's the clincher....she said now she is stuck with a tattoo all of her life that will only remind her of this terrible thing she saw and having a young dead bloody guy fall on her.

Thank you all for your kind words. I so appreciate it.

Meanon...could you send her an email to my address so I can print it and give it to her tomorrow to read in her room? It would mean so much to her to get some words from you since she loves you. SHe is eat up with guilt. Maybe I'll have her call you over the weekend when you have some free time.

Luba · 05-15-2006, 08:11 PM

OMG, Merika, I just read this after work and I can't believe what a nightmare this must be for all of you, especially Chloe; I'm totally shocked, I just don't know what to say but will hold you all in my prayers....

Merika · 05-15-2006, 10:18 PM

I got her settled down and sleeping after a couple of Tylenol PM's. I think one of her greatest emotional hurdles is the fact that he was still alive when she ran from there. She turned back to look at him and knew it was wrong not to call 911 immediately. He didn't die until the next day. At the time she was a little high and got scared. Now she's straight and feels more than guilty...and rightfully so. This was a boy she knew and considered a friend.

I didn't judge her on it....nor will I. I think the end consequence will leave it's own judgement she will have to deal with and settle within her own heart. It won't be something easy to live with for a long time. Having that tattoo on her leg as a momento sure isn't going to help.

She wanted to contact his parents to apologize....but I'm not sure if that's the appropriate thing to do at this time. I think it may be best to let it go until some time has passed. What do you guys think? It could be a healing or it could lead to some parents being more than pissed off at her.

What I am proud of is that once she got passed the loyalty issue to her best girlfriend, she told the whole truth the first time she spoke to the officers and didn't try to cover anything up. She also does feel guilty....which apparently the other people involved don't. It shows her heart is in the right place....she just made some really stupid judgement calls.

She also now knows why I was so upset over her hanging out with these particular boys a couple of months ago.

Do you remember the old saying....If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...it's a duck? I think parent's have special intuitions in picking out the ducks.

Thanks for listening to me go on and on......... I'm so thankful I have good friends like all of you are to me.

Barbie

Star · 05-15-2006, 10:40 PM

OMG merika!!!!! 8O 8O

Sounds like her life might be in danger and that would mean the whole family's life if it is gang related. OMG!! I would move far far away if it were me. OMG!! I'm terrified for all of you over there!!

Poor cloe! She is devinately going to need to talk about this, that's for sure. I don't know about calling the boy's family right now though. they've just lost a son and are grieving. might not be the right time right now.

I hope they get this guy quick! keep us posted and you and your kids are in my thoughts and prayers. WOW!! 8O

Weiser · 05-15-2006, 11:15 PM

1. Move (Canada is pretty nice right now)
2. Sleep with one eye open
3. Move
4. She shouldn't feel guilty - she didn't shoot anyone and there is nothing she could do.
5. Don't talk to the parents yet - they aren't in a state to handle it yet.
6. I hope you all get through this!

Vautrin · 05-16-2006, 12:40 PM

OMG!!
Sorry, I saw this post so late.

I would not let her talk with the parents yet. She needs some time to recover, to make sense of what happened. Which will be extremely hard, as the responsible dude was the bf of her best friend. Not a total stranger.

To deal with all the issues this has raised first. Right now she is feeling guilty, understandably, even though she is totally not responsible for this. She is guilt-ridden, and dealing with her punishment herself. What will happen to the less-remorseful we can only guess. That punishment will be far more severe.

It takes a lot of determination to talk with the parents. If she insists on doing that, I would strongly suggest to her, to at least wait until they have the murderer behind bars. And preferably with her best friend returned to her senses as well. Purely for safety-reasons.

Think of the effects it has on the victim's parents as well. There is no telling on how they will react. And I doubt Chloe needs the unexpected right now.

Meanon · 05-16-2006, 02:02 PM

I'll email you both later tonight and talk to you at the weekend.

Love,
Anji

darkangelism · 05-16-2006, 06:10 PM

to answer meanon's question, if she was in protective custody, and this being a gang related incident, she would be moved with no contact with anybody in order to keep her location secret. Possibly all of them would have to go. Hence why i said come out here, if she leaves not in protection, then she can stay in contact.

Personally i think she should leave at least until the fall. Perferablly with someone that can be trusted and armed. If she doesnt leave then getting a gun could be a good move. Cause if it is gang relaterd, i wouldnt expeect a few police patrols to stop them. Right now being overprotective is probably the best thing. though im sure merika will make good choices.