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Shots Fired
Today, as I puttered about my house in Mt. Hope, deep in a peaceful Saturday afternoon reverie, I jolted to my senses and was again reminded of where I live by a very loud gunshot, which sounded quite close, as if it came from less than a block away, most likely up near the Crossroads (corner of Camp & Cypress) or down Camp a bit in the direction of the public housing on Pleasant Street, given how sound carries and richots in the winter air.
My 10 year old dog, Molly, who is healing from surgery on her leg, jumped off of the couch and ran to hide in the bedroom. By doctor's orders her movements must be severely restricted; I lift her on and off the couch. I jumped to the window to see if I could see anything but there was nothing to be seen.
CouchMolly
All law abiding taxpaying citizens of Mt. Hope are victims of the drug related gang violence that the City cannot seem to muster the will to stop: everyone who startled at the sound of the gunshot, Molly who was so scared she jumped down on a surgically repaired knee, and myself, who was shaken out of a peaceful activity to be reminded that at any moment a bullet can come through one of my windows and end my life or the life of one of my loved ones, all because our City Officials, elected and appointed, don't have the guts (Guts? Let's face it, I'm implying "cojones", "balls.") to address these ongoing crimes for fear of the need to address the issues of race and violence and poverty.
Instead they function as enablers.
The gunshot reminded me that I had planned to post a small article that I found buried in the Rhode Island section of the Providence Journal on February 9th. You can read it below in its entirety.
Police investigate link between 2 shootings01:00 AM EST on Friday, February 9, 2007
PROVIDENCE — The police are investigating whether a shooting yesterday in the Mount Hope area of the East Side might be linked to the shooting Wednesday night of an 18-year-old man in South Providence.Detective commander Capt. Hugh Clements said Andrew Ortiz, 18, was walking along Somerset Street with his younger brother near Hayward Street around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday when a dark colored vehicle came up at them from behind and someone inside fired several shots.
One bullet hit Ortiz in the right side of his lower back. He was in serious condition at Rhode Island Hospital, according to Clements.
About 1:30 p.m. yesterday, two people got out of a light-colored Jeep Cherokee and fired shots at Daniel Lassiter, 31, who was sitting in front of 89 Woodbine St. Lassiter was not hit.
Clements said the police are keeping open “the distinct possibility” that the shootings are linked. “We are following several leads and are investigating more as we speak,” he said.
John Twomey
Posted at February 17, 2007 03:03 PM
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