Asphalt, Traffic, and Grief

Minutes after the shooting, a young woman in white stood weeping a few yards from where a bullet had pierced Carl Pickering's chest. "I hope he's all right," she said. Near her, another woman in a blue tank top was answering the questions of a police officer who was chewing gum and scribbling notes. The woman in blue kept glancing around wildly, and clasping and unclasping her hands. "Oh my God, oh my God," she said to no one in particular.

A car pulled up and a teenage girl got out. Family members turned toward her. The girl was shaking her head. Pickering had just been pronounced dead at the hospital. "He gone!" cried the young woman in white. She stumbled into the street, bent double, covered her face, and screamed. Passing cars edged around her and kept going. The woman in blue stayed on the sidewalk alone. "They killed my baby!" she said. Across the street, a crowd of people, including several teenagers about 13 or 14 years old, watched the scene impassively.

(Above, a boy passing on his bicycle stops to ask LAPD Capt. Rick Jacobs what happened. In this photo, the boys' face registers his response as Jacobs explains that a man has just been shot and killed in the parking lot. "It's horrible," the boy said.)

Comments

[IZZY]

WE WILL MISS YOU CARL YOU WERE A GOOD FRIEND , U WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS.

[KARMEN]

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO (MOMMA) LINDA AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY....THEY WILL STAY IN MY PRAYERS.

[Nessa]

My deepest sympathy goes out to Carl's family and friends......We've lost such a beautiful person. I'll never forget that beatuiful smile of his, so warm and welcoming.

My prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
~Author Unknown

[Cousin Shannon]

Carl Jr. the last time I saw you, I told you-you were too old to be called Carl Jr.- I'm going to call you CJ. But then you laughed with that same little giggle, that same beautiful smile all Lindas kids have- and I realized you will always be Carl Jr.
You have been handsome and charming since you were born. I remember when we all went to church together and you and Claudia were babies. She would use the back of the church pew as her imaginary keyboard , eyes closed, tearin' it up! and you would just be cracking up.
I can not believe you are gone. In my own way I have refused to accept it.
To my family, my prayer is that this tragedy brings us all closer together. Sometimes life gets in the way and we can't physically be united, but we most defintely can agree to be spiritually united.
I'll say to my family what I should have said to Carl Jr. while he could still hear me I LOVE YOU.
Big Shann

[Cousin Shannon]

Carl Jr. the last time I saw you, I told you-you were too old to be called Carl Jr.- I'm going to call you CJ. But then you laughed with that same little giggle, that same beautiful smile all Lindas kids have- and I realized you will always be Carl Jr.
You have been handsome and charming since you were born. I remember when we all went to church together and you and Claudia were babies. She would use the back of the church pew as her imaginary keyboard , eyes closed, tearin' it up! and you would just be cracking up.
I can not believe you are gone. In my own way I have refused to accept it.
To my family, my prayer is that this tragedy brings us all closer together. Sometimes life gets in the way and we can't physically be united, but we most defintely can agree to be spiritually united.
I'll say to my family what I should have said to Carl Jr. while he could still hear me I LOVE YOU.
Big Shann

[MRS.DUBBK]

I REMEMBER IT WAS LIKE YESTERDAY WE LAUGHED AND TALKED AMONG EACH OTHER. I CANT BELIEVE DIS MAN! I NEVER EVEN GOT A CHANCE TO SAY GOOD-BYE. I NEVER IN MILLIONZ OF YEARS THOUGHT THEY WOULD TAKE A TRUE ANGEL FROM US. WE ALL MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH. ALSO OUR CONDOLENCES GOES OUT TO HIS MOM,GIRL,AND HIS 2 KIDS.

[Cousin La Trill (Trilly) and Family]

Carl I will miss you alot. I do know however that we will see you again. We pray for you and our family with all our heart and soul. Auntie Linda, Cousin Deshon, and Cousin May May(Claudia) and Cousin Mike We love you all so much and I will see you soon. Stay strong and remembr that peace is with you always. XOXO Hugs and Kisses !!!! From Utah.

[~MELROSE MOCHA~]

CARL THIS IS SO HARD TO ACCEPT. YOU WAS ON YOUR WAY. WHEN I TOLD YOU ONE DAY YOU WAS GONNA BE A MILLIONAIRE, I FELT THAT IN MY HEART. AND YOU KNOW I'M ALMOST NEVER WRONG. AND NOW YOUR GONE. I KNOW IN MY HEART GOD HAS SOMETHING WONDERFUL PLANNED FOR YOU. YOU WERE ONLY 26 AND OLDER MEN THATS NOT ANY RELATIONS IS BROKE DOWN LIKE A BABY. YOU KNOW WHY. CAUSE YOUR IRREPLACEABLE, WE'LL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER YOU. HOLLYWOOD IS WHAT YOU ARE, YOU'RE A STAR. STAYED SHINING, STAYED STUNTY, STAYED UP ON YOUR J.O.B. I LOVE YOU THOUGH G~BROTHER MAY GOD ALWAYS BE WITH YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. I KNOW HOW YOU FELT ABOUT YOUR BABY MOTHER AND YOUR DAUGHTERS AND TRUST, GOD IS WITH THEM ALWAYS. I LOVE YOU CARL JR. I'LL NEVER GET OVER THIS. I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU. YOUR LEGENDARY AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DID NOT DESERVE THIS. I LOVE YOU CARL, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A SHINING STAR.

[sweetpea]

IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY

[Bridjette Daniels]

First off I want to start off by saying I love You Carl Jr. with all my heart.You were more than just a cousin to me u were a real friend. I am going to miss you. Everyone is going to miss you. It's not going to be the same without you.My heart aches, but I know that u are in a better place.I just hope that are family keep in touch and try to become more closer. Stay strong Auntie Linda, Deshon,Claudia,Michael and Big Carl.The Lord will guide you through this.My prayers go out to our family, and Carl's family.I have Love for you all.

Rest In Peace My Beloved Cousin Carl Martin Pickering Jr. 5-14-07 You will always be in my heart.

[Brenda Johnson]

To Carl's family --

What can I say except that Carl was a member of our family. I am Star's aunt and regardless of the trials and tribulations that they may have gone through -- he was family. The thing I want to always remember most about Carl is his SMILE. He had the most beautiful smile of any person that I have ever known. His smile could light up a room. It is indeed sad that he had to lose his life in just a violent manner and to be taken away from his children. Our family will never forget Carl because he was a part of our family and he will be exremely missed. Stay strong and remember Carl as the person we know that he was.

[BIG CASS]

YO CARL THIS YO BOY CASS OUT HERE IN VEGAS ILL REMEMBER THE TIMES I HUNG OUT WITH YOU IN L.A AND YOU HOOKED MY MUSIC UP N MY TRUCK IT WAS BEATING MA BOY,ILL ALSO REMEMBER EVERY TIME YOU CAME 2 VEGAS YOU'D HIT ME UP AND WE'D GET 2GETHER AND DO OUR THANG, THANKS 4 ALL THE GOOD TIMES AND GOOD MEMORIES.YOU WERE A GOOD MAN WITH A BIG HEART AND IM GLAD BUB INTRODUCED ME 2 YOU..WE'LL C EACH OTHER AGAIN DOG BIG CASS

[lisa]

Carl I luv you, and u will be missed

[Ty Cooley]

Carl you will be missed. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, your family and my son (your nephew) Jade. I have known you since you where 8, learning how to swim at the park getting you out of trouble at school (Sherman Oaks C.E.S). I have seen you grow into a good young man and it's a shame that people still don't get it and don't realize that shooting a person over a beef isn't the way. Bro knowing you, you are in heaven cracking jokes about all the fools that you left here. To your mom, Deshon, Star, Claudia, Mike and the rest of your family I'm sorry that you folks had to go though this...you and your family will always be in prayers.....Love you Ty

[channa stinson]

Ms.Lee, Claudia, Micheal, Deshon and Star,
You will remain in my prayers. Let not your hearts be troubled.Carl is probably walking around his mansion in heaven and learning parables from Jesus.
Jesusl loves you all so much and so do I
Ms. Lee and Claudia-I love you with all my heart

your friend always,

channa stinson