Dennis Moses, 17

Dennis Moses, a 17-year-old black youth from Long Beach, and Breon Taylor, a black 15-year-old girl from Los Angeles, were shot at 5918 Parkcrest St. in Long Beach at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.  Both teens were transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. A third teenager received non-life-threatening injuries. Long Beach police officials say the shooting occurred after a fight at the Lakewood Masonic Lodge, where 200 people were attending a birthday party. Anyone with information can call Dets. Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes at (562) 570-7244. Los Angeles Times story

Comments

[Octavious Jenkins]

Those detctives McGuire and Cortes arrested three suspects this week and I think two of them had felony charges filed on them. Great Job for those two Detectives. I know they had their hands full dealing with all those people and the polital pressure to solve this one.
Outstanding work boys! I wonder if any of Dennis's friends helped out? Peace in the Hood..

[alise]

r.i.p. dennis

man i cant believe you are really gone gosh i miss you soooooo much man. when i found out about you they called me cuz i live in sandiego now but man i wish i was out there i couldnt even make it to your funeral man sorry man i really really miss and love you .
gosh dennis rest in peace i love you man u will allways be in my heart and soul baby boii

if tears could build a stairway and memories build a lane id walk right up to heaven and bring u home

man jordan is so different with out you there but u didnt go alone cuz part of me and us(ur friends from jordan) went with you

[Regina Hamilton]

Let us pray for our young people. My God, I admire the strength of Breon's mom. If it were not for her faith in God, she would be crazy right now. God bless and hold tight to the families of both the young man and the young lady. Such a senseless tragedy; what's going on in the minds of many of our young people? It's scary. My daughter was late to the same b-day party. She and other friends were waiting to get out of church before going to the dance. I thank God they were late! When they got there, the yellow tape was already up so they returned home. My child and friends are now too fearful to attend any type of function where there is a large gathering of teens. They fear for their lives and as a parent, I am in constant prayer whenever my kids leave to go anywhere. We have a messed up generation of youth and I don't know how to get to them......how to change their ways of thinking and doing. Prayer warriors, lets remain prayerful that God will deliver our youth. I'm doing my part, but I can only do so much with the little resources I have available. But, if I can save one child, I'm proud. These two young people did not die in vain. Their deaths have opened the minds and eyes of many to stop attending such functions so that hopefully, some day, there won't be anyone to shoot! Our youths should boycott all dances and simply stop having dances/parties at dance halls and homes that are announced over MySpace and YouTube.

[ERIC]

R.I.P. Dennis

man i can't believe im goin to your funneral tommarow like the whole skool is goin tommarrow sheeshhh u noe the whole skool huh man we alwayz kicked it at skool now its jus meeh now like wats goin to happen dude imma miss u u did not deserve this u alwayz smiled 24/7 still smile for us ok we gonna rep 08 4 u

eric.. class of 08 dedicated to dennis moses...

[Grace]

Wallace makes a good point though...

Silence is not a sign of pride. Silence is a sign of cowardice. Silence is there because people are afraid.

Being afraid is not strength or pride.

Until people break free of these "shackles," they will never really be free.

For those in the areas where these killings take place -- they need to help the police catch these killers. When the killers are off the streets, everyone will be free.

It's something to think about. Martin Luther King had a dream and it can come true if everyone works together to accomplish it.

[O'Dawg]

Unfortunately, Wallace, it may not be as simple as not snitching. Despite the fact that 200 people were present at the party, it is possible that none knew the shooter. The fact that there are very few details given about the assailants gives me hope that the police actually have some leads that they don't want to share with the public (which includes the assailants).

Rather than rip on the alleged dysfunction of the black community, we should look at another issue. This blog is full of homicides where a party was involved. Usually, univited guest showed up, were asked to leave, and then they came back strapped!

All the security in the world is not going to stop some DETERMINED person from committing some act of violence. If any appeal should be made, then let's make it now. Kids, Parents and other party planners, please think twice before having a party where the "general public" may be invited!

[Mark]

Wallace, there were several similar homides in 2007 .... lots of witnesses and noone talking.

Its hocking to hear of it the first few times, but unfortunatly, you begin to get used to it.

And yes, there are many dysfunctional aspects of society and the people in those neighborhoods.

[Wallace McGraw]

Unbelievable! Two KIDS shot to death. Two hundred people were there, and after nearly a week there have been no arrests? What kind of community, what kind of friends are you? Silence is a sign of pride? A "law of the hood"? No it's not, it just shows how low you have fallen, and how dysfunctional the black community has become. You have no idea what kind of damage this does to you!

[A Concerned Mother]

To the families of both of these young People, my thoughts, prayers and support are with you. Ms Carmen Taylor, I heard you on the radio (KJLH). You touched my heart with your strenth, courage, but most of all FAITH. Although I don't know you, you reached me with your words. Thank you! With so much love to you all....GOD BLESS!!!

[AARON KING]

I responded to this location after hearing it go out over the radio as a shots fired call. I watched as they both lay on the cold floor suffering from gunshot wounds. All I could think of is....why? and when will this end?

This incident was clearly over nothing more than a verbal argument that escalated into a physical fight....and the ones who lost couldn't take it. The magnitude of their cowardice was revealed when they chose to take two lives instead of living with the fact that they lost a fight....that they undoubtedly started, and just had to finish.

[Melanie]

Myspace bulletins flow on my page reading "RIP Breon Taylor", something I never thought I would see or hear in my entire life. How do you define fun? Every time we try to have fun, we get gunned down, beat up, robbed, or kidnapped. Breon Taylor was amazingly likable. She had a respectful persona, that made you like her even more. She was a loving daughter, a beautiful sister, intelligent student and most of all a loyal friend. It is very sad to know that the innocent ones are more likely the victims of such violence. What an awesome life gone before my eyes. No one would have ever thought we would be saying rest in peace Bre. Guess it makes you realize how every second, every minute, of every hour isnt promised to us. Gone Home to be with God, our precious Angel Breon "Bourke" Taylor (January 2008)

[morgan]

R.I.P DENNIS...
HE WAS A PEER OF MINE. WE ATTENDED THE SAME SCHOOL. HE DIDNT DESERVE THIS.