Parents mourn
Attended the 10 a.m. conference at Monrovia City Hall to hear about this new task force planned to quash the out-of-control gang violence going on, it was light on details but with clergy, school, police and city officials on hand, it was an opportunity for a lot of questions to be asked.
By noon was down at the crime scene where Brandon Lee was killed Tuesday night where Brandon's father Willie Lee was sobbing and embracing Jeanette Chavez, mother of 16-year-old Sammantha Salas killed Saturday night. Incomparable Star-News photographer Walt Mancini took this picture as they sat, rocking and crying, a marked bullet hole over their shoulder.
"There's not much to say other than stop the violence. You're hurting innocent kids, you're hurting innocent people. Keep God in your life," Willie Lee, Jr. said.
Todd, there are no words that can measure the sorrow of the broken hearts in that picture.
Exactly, I wasn't even going to try on the blog. Admittedly, we look for that exalted quote or photo of the day, but even our video is unlikely to capture this moment as these two parents broke down in each other's arms.
Walt deserves a Pulitzer for that one.
Todd,
I know their pain, yet have no words to help, when will this stop?
Ed: I can't pretend to imagine what it means to have a child, let alone lose one.