Branden Bullard, 25
January 27, 2008 | 2:25
pm
Branden "B.L." Bullard, 25, a black man, was shot in a gang-related shooting at 147 E. Florence Ave. in South Los Angeles at about 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. According to police, an unknown suspects fired several shots into a crowd of gang members that were partying inside a rented hall. Bullard was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Five other people were taken to various hospitals, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office. All five were in stable condition, she added.
According to LAPD, Bullard's shooting has triggered a series of retaliation shootings in Watts that have left two other men dead and 13 wounded. Los Angeles Times story
BL, Gus, Lil Tank Grape In Peace
Posted by: BABY LOC | January 28, 2008 at 01:04 PM
It's so sad that people are dying so young. What happened to being able to go out and have a good time? What happened to being able to live another day? These kiliings are senseless , they leave so many families hurting. Can someone please help us to stop the violence , I know at times like these we need to call upon the Lord but I wonder is that enough. The young man that was killed at this party had a child. Who's going to explain to his daughter that her father is dead. Everyone listed here has family and they will be greatly missed. I know there is a heaven and hope God takes good care of them . For the many dumb and ignorant people who continue to drive around and look for people to kill, I pray for you, despite all your wrong doings I pray for you.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 28, 2008 at 03:37 PM
You are so right!
Posted by: Tom | January 29, 2008 at 08:00 AM
BL'LOC-GUS'LOC-LIL'TANK'LOC TIP'TOP'GRAPE'N'PEACE'BABY'LOC'S'GOT WATTS'LUV'4'MY'JORDAN'DOWN'SOLDIERS!2'the famalies stay storng.
Posted by: CRIC LOC | January 29, 2008 at 08:07 AM
THIS GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF OG BL'LOC'OG LIL TANK'LOC'OG GUS'LOC' I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE COULD SHOOT FOLKS WATTS WRONG THESE FOLKS CAN'T DROP THIER GUNS AND FIGHT. 2 ME SOME PEEPS R SOFT LIKE COTTON CANDY. I THINK ITS TIME WE All COME 2GETHER AS CITY PUT DOWN YOUR GUNS LETS START ALL OVER. AND LETS SEE IF THEY CAN USE HANDS IN DIFFERENT WAY OF PROVEN U BAD. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE GOOD DIES YOUNG AND REST WILL SUFFER UNTIL THEY 2 LEAVE THIS EARTH. AIN'T NO U WITHOUT ME, STICK 2GETHER AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP R HEAD 2 THE SKY LOVE ALWAYS JORDAN DOWNS PROJECTS!!! lLILOCOCRICSENDS MUCH LOVE 2 THE FAM STAY TIP'TOP DON'T STOP I SHED SO MANY TEARS 4 MY LOVE ONES JESUS LUVS U AND SO DO I :( .: )
Posted by: LIL'CRIC'LOC | January 29, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I'm asking the OG's from Grape St. and East Coast to come together and have a meeting, we should not be killing each other we all grew up together and attended the same school. We are family and we need to come together. Gus I'm gonna miss you!
Posted by: Former Gang Member | January 29, 2008 at 10:36 AM
This is so sad. I grew up with all these young men. My heart goes out to the families in this horrific situation. Lakedia stay strong for his first born. She is a spliting image of her daddy. Kim I dont know much about you sweetie just the fact that you have his heart and two of his children stay strong for your little ones.. All this over what. NOTHING!!!!. Sherika stay strong girl. May GOD be with all the families and blessed these children who will now live life without their fathers but make sure the love for thier fathers are engraved in the soul. NOt the heart cuz the heart dies. The SOUL lives forever.
Posted by: Ms. T. Harris | January 29, 2008 at 05:28 PM
BL, Gussy and Tank G.I.P.!! I miss u BL... You were a stand up reptible soldier!! Its a shame you had to go as soon as you start to get your paper and get out the b.s. in the projects. Much love goes out to all the families of the fallin soldiers.
God will handle the rest.
Posted by: Bretto Loc | January 29, 2008 at 06:29 PM
From what I think I remember, the young man killed was a leader, of the Grape Street Crips, The only ones that will miss him are his "Homies" and his "Family". One Less "gangbanger" on the streets, Im sure all the retaliation shootings will kill innocent members of the community, who don't deserve it
Posted by: Paco | January 29, 2008 at 06:36 PM
YOU LIVE BY THE GUN YOU DIE BY THE gun.................
Posted by: WESTSCLA | January 29, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Over 800 people dead in Kenya, many dead in Somalia and now we've started the count of another foolish time of killing. We will all be dead at this rate, when blacks were slaves at least we had some kind of unity. There's no order in the streets, murderers killing in cowardly ways, starting lose lose situations. Now we got grapes and east coast riding around killing, get killed, and going to jail (NO MONEY INVOLVED). We got the Jenna six going, the (KKK) trying to rise again, and what the east coast do? start another black on black war-real killers- I guess. To PACO who posted, you wouldn't no anything about this world of ours. B.L was a cool cat, all these young men was cool cats, what they need to do is trace all these guns, hitting the streets out the blue. Grape In Peace B.L and Gussy plus all the ones fell before them GONE AND NOT FORGOTTEN all victims to this senseless black on black crime. The east coast disrespected the hood, what they did was foul, never have the hood been on this level with the east coast. To the ones who did this- was it really worth all this?
Posted by: MAK | January 30, 2008 at 12:38 AM
This is worse than what we have went through with the beef between the blacks and mexicans. Everybody know everybody and if Big homies dont intervene this will get a lot of people and there families involved and a lot more people killed. It should have never got this far in the first place. To the GSW's I am sorry you lost your homies period, but I know it feels worse because it was NOT done by an "enemy" off the top & the EC/NH's the same! I am not involved like I use to be cause I have my wife an kids to take care of but we all need to get together to come to a resolution, if we can get with the RED rags and do it like we all have done in the past truces my niggas we can get pass this, we must get past this! And some thangs in the hoods going to have to change REAL TALK
Posted by: Naybah111d/Naybah112d | January 30, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Wow, I had no idea all this has went down in a matter of a few days. I don't agree with the beef that the blacks and browns have & it gets to me the same way when I hear about the beef that blacks have with each other. I'm hispanic but I have a lot of love for the black race. My mother once told me that one race that is real united and they got each others back is the black race. I know that's still there. I'll keep everyone involved in my prayers so you all can come together like it once used to be. We got other folks to worry about that are trying to bring us (both the black and brown) down. There are peeps that would love to see us fall, and we can't let anybody get the best of us. To every person thinking about putting in some work, please you got a mother/father/son/daughter/brother/sister/aunt/uncle/cousins who need you, so please think twice about doing dirt. We can't be selfish because sometimes you have to be the bigger man and step up and communicate instead of taking the easy route. Each and everyone of you in the hood is needed. For NAYBAH111D, stay positive and i'm glad you've realized that your children and wife need you more than anyone else in the world, keep your head to the sky. And for the lames who post their negativity, keep the negativity to yourself because the hood can be this or that to you, but I know you wouldn't step foot to any of these projects. In peace may they all rest.
Posted by: Carson resident | January 30, 2008 at 08:42 AM
This is What you signed up for, The hood involves death after death after death. THAT IS WHAT GOES WITH GANG BANGING ? Who is next, there will always be someone next, you just dont know who it is. Even if there were no beef with East Coast some young brother or sister would lose there life to this senseless inner city SUICIDAL mentality. Gangbangin ONLY leads to Death in Jail or Death in the streets, brothers are killing themselves but too afraid to do it themselves. Mamas no longer have to worry about her son being lynched by a white mob, we now lynch ourselves. How many sisters are out here raising their children by themselves? How many of us (me included) have to get the phone call that your man is laying dead in some street, for us to realize as women we need to step up and stop accepting our cats (not men) are actively trying to end up dead. We as women need to stop accepting that no future having hood mentality from the boys we lay up with . Women are the ones who pay the price (mama and wife).
Posted by: AWAKE | January 30, 2008 at 09:51 AM
It's a very easy choice...go out bangin' with the homies Vs. Staying home and playing with my child. I think I want to go out and bang..>WTF are you "N's" thinking or rather not thinking about. Im not saying be a hostage in the house...but mind who the hell you out with and what the hell they are doing...
Man, I see why white, Mexican, hell every other race looks down on us. We, are on the verge of history with Barack Obama being the 1st black President and you dumb asses are out on a corner that you don't even own saying that it's yours? Not fighting for it but willing to take a life...a life, a human being...this aint practice we talking about, or a game...it's a human life. That at the least, if one has no concern for themselves, they at least have loved one's that care and are left to hurt...anyway, Im preaching to the choir, aint like no gang banger gonna read this and say...you know what P is right stop the violence.
Get some real game...go get a skill, pick up cans, volunteer...EBAY my nigga. Whatever you gotta do stay the fuck alive and make smart choices in life...You only get one shot at this game called Life!
Posted by: Preston | January 30, 2008 at 12:00 PM
SO, MR BRATTON YOU SAID THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE WAS DECREASING. AGAIN,STILL,MY QUESTION REMAINS UNANSWERED. WHAT KIND OF COUNTING ARE YOU DOING? OR ARE YOU COUNTING ? BEVERLY HILLS, WEST WOOD, CENTURY CITY,MALIBU, JUST WONDERING?
Posted by: SICCOFIT | January 30, 2008 at 12:24 PM
All of this would have been squashed w/ Tookie (R.I.P.) alive.
Posted by: briizy | January 30, 2008 at 12:28 PM
THIS IS TO ALL THE MOTHERS IM NOT TALKING TO THE ONES THAT JUST HAD BABIES IM TALKING TO THE REAL WOMEN(MOTHERS) IT'S TIME TO START LOVING OUR KIDS TALKING TO THEM EDUCATING THEM AND LOVING THEM UNCONDITIONALLY. OUR CHILDREN NEED ALL OUR LOVE AND SUPPORT ITS A SHAME THAT THIS SENSELESS TRAGEDY HAD TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THE KIDS ALL TO SEEEMINGLY KNOW ABOUT IT I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND IF A FRIEND DIED IT WAS USUALLY THEY WERE HIT BY A CAR OR IT WAS A HOUSE FIRE OR THAT THEY WERE JUST VERY ILL. THIS WAS UNHEARD OF THIS INCIDENT HERE IS JUST IGNORANT AND STUPID WHAT ABOUT THESE FAMILIES THAT ARE HURTING THEY ARE HURTING NOT TO MENTION THE FRIENDS. THIS HAS TO STOP I CHALLENGE ALL THE HOODS START PAYING TO GO TO NICE CLUBS THOSE THAT ARE SOCIAL BECAUSE I WILL PAY 20.00 EVERYTIME TO GET IN IF IT WOULD SAVE MY LIFE. AND TO THESE YOUNG GIRLS STAY OUT OF THAT MALE STUFF BECAUSE USUALLY THAT'S WHAT GETS IT STARTED EDUCATE YOURSELVES.
Posted by: TRINA BROOKS | January 30, 2008 at 04:43 PM
To a brother i never knew. rip
Posted by: Bruce | January 30, 2008 at 04:56 PM
In 2004 the best thing happened to me, I gave birth to my son. Since then, i've gotten soft and each time I read a different murder on here I put myself in the shoes of the mother who has to go through the pain of losing her child, whether the victim is 16 or 31, it still hurts the same. My eyes become watery each time I come across something like this. I recently found this short but sweet poem, and I hope it can make you see things differently.
" A CHILD"
This is a child, They need you. They need your love, your touch and your
time. Spend lots of time with them. Build a bird house. Read a book. Go for a walk. Do homework. Play. The more time you spend with them, The better chance they have of growing up happy and healthy. They grow very quickly, so pay attention. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND STOP FIGHTING FOR A HOOD YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE WITH YOU WHEN YOU EXPIRE. WE ALL HAVE THE SAME COLOR OF BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH OUR VEINS.
Posted by: Carson resident | January 30, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I hope the violences stop RIP to all the fallen YOUNG BLACK MAN
Posted by: nikki | January 31, 2008 at 06:18 AM
You know treena your so right and we as mothers need to do exactly that
I was just talking to my brother and we were just saying that when were growing up we never heard of so many killings this makes me sick to my stomach Litaraly sick. Im so tired of looking in the blog finding out how many killings are going on is this ever gonna stop it's been going on like an energizer
battery lets try our best to do something about this please if anyone that is involved in gangs and your tired of it ask Jesus into your heart you will be free from all of this madness I guarantee you you will be free
Posted by: concerned | January 31, 2008 at 08:44 AM
To SICCOFIT and the rest of the geograpically challenged, when you talk about the CITY of Los Angeles, do not include places like Malibu or Beverly Hills. They are their own cities with, in the latter case, their own police force. Cities like Beverly Hills and Malibu aren't just affluent, but are smaller and less densely populated, and therefore have a much lower police to citizen ratio.
When you compare the apples to the apples, Bratton and Tony Villar were fooling you with statistics that really show that a significant reduction of crime in the Valley, Westside, Rampart, and Harbor Gateway area that offset an increase in other areas.
Also, yee geo-challeged people, once you get in the higher street numbers, you're dealing with LA County pockets that fall into the Sheriff's jurisdiction. So Tony and Bratton aren't counting most people who get shot between Normandie and Vermont south of 87th.
Geography and statistics lesson over. For the rest of you, gang members engage in activities that are often illegal and hurtful to other people. Don't pretend that everyone that is either directly (the victim) or indirectly (the victim's surviving family and friends) will be okay with it. Don't blame the clubs, police, schools or governments when we aren't ready to interact in a manner that does not hurt anyone.
Posted by: O'Dawg | January 31, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Siccofit,
Here are the statistics that back up your question to Mr. Bratton. Please follow the link -
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-122407-me-homicides-g,0,5570567.graphic
While numbers are going down everywhere else, they are relativey unchanged in the some areas.
Posted by: daledo | January 31, 2008 at 10:22 AM
this is for "Concerned"
I don't know when you grew up , but even in 1980 it had tha most homicides per capita of all time in Los Angeles, if you take into account tha population back then......so this is an ongoing cycle.
Posted by: mister | January 31, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Lets stop all of the violence and learn to live together in peace and harmony
Posted by: jesus is lord | January 31, 2008 at 01:40 PM
briizy
"All of this would have been squashed w/ Tookie (R.I.P.) alive."
You actually believe that?
Posted by: Mark | January 31, 2008 at 02:38 PM
To Pac a previous comment I agree with you totally. And to Mak also a previous comment there were a lot of contradicting going on. One minute you were saying we need to stop the killings and on the other hand you were blaming the eastcoast. It's not that I don't feel anything. But to my understanding, this young man was shot before and had the attitude like he was untouchable, and now he is!!!! When you're apart of a gang, do you not think about whats going to happen to your family. You live by it you died by it. And it don't mean that it's going to come back on you. You can go out and kill someone it might come back to your mom, sis, brother, father, or child. This is why it's important to live right. To the men when you cross another man on the street, ask him how is he doing instead of where you from, respect your wifes and kids, ask a old lady or man if they need help, get with your children or someone else child and read with them. It seems to me we as black people are the only race that don't stick together. Do different things with your life. Make a differents and a good way! When you're 21 and over you should not be thinking about a gang, at that point you should be too old for that kind of stuff. Invest your money, go to school, or even get a JOB!
RIP to everyone who lost their live to this.
Posted by: Jay | January 31, 2008 at 04:21 PM
I'm sick of hearing the lets stop this killing slogan. People are going to kill others and it is only getting worse. The change needs to come from everybody in the community. We cannot wait and wonder when this killing will stop. I don't complain I get involved with the kids in my community and it doesn't matter who or where they come from. I don't wait for a pat on my back, my satisfaction comes when I can take 5-10 kids fishing on a Saturday night and know that they are safe for those few hours. What can you say about what you are doing? Or what is your excuse for not getting involved in your community?
Posted by: veronica | January 31, 2008 at 06:17 PM
REST IN PEACE OG "B.L"
Posted by: JORDANBULLDOG.I.P | January 31, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Just wanted to say that, no matter how the media or anybody that didn't really know who Brandon (B.L.) was... He may have been associated with Grape St, but He was still one of the most friendliest people u could ever meet. His smile could brighten up anybody's day up. He was a true football star while attending Jordan High, but He would never think of his self better than no one. He was a loving father to his kids. We have truly lost a good friend. He was to young and good hearted. Everyone who had the pleasure to meet him will miss him dearly. R.I.P. Brandon B.L. Bullard
Posted by: Mando | January 31, 2008 at 08:11 PM
BL....
i dont even know what to say...
You were a really cool guy... We played footbal together in highschool and you were PHENOMENAL with a football... I wasn't involved in gangs but you treated me with respect and always went out of your way to talk to me and make me feel like a friend...
Although there is a negative stigma with the term "gang member" people who didnt know you will never understand how cool/level headed you were...
You are greatly missed...
Rest in Peace....
Posted by: Arthur | January 31, 2008 at 08:35 PM
To the trillest og I've ever met.....rip Brandon BL Bullard.....I'll miss you
Gus loc lil homie rip I'll miss u too...
s
Posted by: johnny | January 31, 2008 at 09:59 PM
They say don’t put a question mark where the lord has placed a period. So I won’t. To me and everyone who loved my brother this doesn’t make sense. But the lord is bigger than us and to him this is all apart of his master plan, a plan bigger than our minds could ever fathom. Don’t get me wrong, this is bigger than me too. I struggle daily to wrap my mind around the fact that my brother is not with us. It hurts even more when my nephew looks at me and asks where his dad is. That is when my heart is the heaviest. Forget this "Gang Leader" the media is portraying. He was a son, a brother, a friend, and most important a father. I didn’t know BL, I knew Brandon, and those who are important knew Brandon as well. And to all those who feel you have to retaliate, all I have to say is: it won’t bring my brother back, and it won’t save your soul. This life here is temporary, but eternity is forever. Seek god above all else. Killing won’t erase the pain, only time and god will heal. When I heard that my brother had been shot again, I dropped to my knees and I prayed for his soul. I don’t know what kind of relationship he had with the lord in private, and I am not implying that he didn’t know the lord, because in my heart I feel that he did. Sometimes I wonder was his name bigger than he was. And as I sit here writing this all I can feel is a range of emotion, sorrow, denial, pain, and anger. I am angry too, but I'm not killing anybody. THE KILLING HAS TO STOP! We are killing each other. Black men killing black men. We are not each others enemy. The enemy is those who are caging us treating us like animals. Those media personal who always says it’s a black man before they know who the suspect is. Instead of killing your brother, seek knowledge and kill our adversaries with that. Rise above the drama. Just because they treat us like animals do we have to act like animals? Instead of picking up a gun, pick up a book. The hate we give our children fucks us all. I am going to try my hardest to stop the cycle with my nephew. There is more to life than brick buildings, .45's, drugs, and gang banging. True we are given that life as a rotten gift, but we don’t have to accept it. To those that loved my brother I understand why. To those that hated him, and felt you needed to end his life over your insecurities, I am praying for your soul too, because although you don’t have to explain why to his family, the day is going to come when you will have to explain that to the most high, my heavenly father, and you better be ready to explain to him why you broke one of his commandments. When that day comes for you, all I have is one thing to say: MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL!
OH let me not forget my comment to PACO: didn’t your mother teach you that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. Your comment was heartless. To me you are a complete loser, why even subscribe to the blog to post a wack comment like that. People like you have nothing better to do. Who are you? Does anyone know you or even give a crap about you? Yes his family and his quote unquote homies will miss him. Who would miss you if you passed? I pray someone. You need to get a whole lot of stuff.....starting with a life. You are a disgusting human being. My brother had kids, and you are saying one less gang banger. You didn’t even know him. I will pray for you, because you are no better than these gang members just heartless.
Posted by: Ne ne | February 01, 2008 at 09:27 AM
....BRANDEN YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY YOUR HOMIES.... IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY WE WERE MAKING PLANS.....TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL....YOUR KIDS.....I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THIS G......
G.I.P. OG "B.L."
Posted by: MILIO | February 01, 2008 at 11:35 AM
May the Lord encamp about you during your time of loss.
There was a special entitled “A Family Undertaking” on KCET last evening, and I thought about this blog, the fallen brothers and sisters, both brown and black, and the relatives left scrambling to prepare for a decent funeral, sometimes at a time when there isn’t a lot of spare cash.
THERE WAS A TIME WHEN EVERYONE WAS LAID TO REST IN THEIR HOME and apparently the tradition is coming back.
Family/friends seemed so peaceful in the presence of the body of the deceased and their added personal touches and the beautifully decorated casket by family/friends attending the service made it more poignant because it reflected each person’s individual relationship to the deceased. The body is prepared so that there are no visible wounds and that means a lot when the death was disruptive and violent. Even the children who were old enough to understand death’s finality in this world weren’t afraid because of their participation in the preparation of the body. I personally think this type of service offers a twofold blessing.
It just seemed so right to give the information on this blog and please know that I am doing so with the highest regard for your loss. I pray for our young black and brown, and their families. At the rate they are falling, families sometimes don't get an opportunity to say goodbye and have peace about the death before they are bombarded with arrangements and funeral decisions that need to be finalized hastily, which increases the stress of an already unexpected and tragic situation. Feeling as if you are unable to put a person away in the manner that you would like, can leave you feeling heavy with guilt, which only prolongs grief.
In home funerals are humane, inexpensive and allow family members the needed time to adjust to the person's death.
I have worked with terminally ill patients for 13 years and have actually shared in bathing and dressing the deceased with loving family members before the funeral home came to take their body away. It may well be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do but you will find that it is worth it because you are doing it for a person you love, including preparing their body for final burial. Their belief was that being at home gave their family/friends the time needed to adjust, accept and work through their death, while being in the familiar surroundings helped ease their grief by causing them to remember happier times.
I believe and pray you will find this information helpful. Below is the information that will provide further assistance.
“The California Department of Consumer Affairs licenses and regulates the California funeral industry, crematories, and the nearly 200 private cemeteries in the state. The Department also allows consumers to prepare their own dead for disposition. If you choose to do this, you must provide a casket or suitable container and make arrangements directly with the cemetery or crematory. A properly completed certificate of death, signed by the attending physician or coroner, must be filed with the local registrar and a permit for disposition obtained before any disposition can occur.”
800-952-5210 or tdd 800-326-2297
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Cemetery and Funeral Program
Posted by: time to stop burdening your families with killing one another | February 01, 2008 at 03:24 PM
baby honcho is a mark lil honcho is too .
Posted by: ganstabone | February 01, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I know some of you shooters are reading this blog. You all are taking lives and ruining lives. You obviously do not have respect for another person's life, but why would you want to run the risk of spending the rest of your life behind bars? Please don't say you get stripes or some bogus "trinket" that can't do you any darn good locked up. I know too many young people that didn't get that wake up call until they got life and then it was too late. Be real men and stop all of this. Your child, Momma, Granny, Auntie, sister or any loved one could get caught in the crossfire while y'all are out there playing shoot 'em up like you don't have good sense and then what? We are tired of burying our loved ones over what? We are tired of seeing y'all throw your lives away. It all leaves a big empty hole and it hurts.
My prayers to all.
Posted by: A Mother | February 02, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Those who really knew Branden knew that this young man truly loved his family! My heart goes out to all of his parents….Most of all his children … these kids lost their Dad, Father and Best Friend! This young man was very respectful! Yes he loved football and could play the game well! Whenever I spoke with him he took his time to listen to whatever I had to say…. So what ever the media and these negative comments which were mention on this blog has no meaning!
What does matter is Branden sins are paid Romans 6:23 “For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Branden son rest for now because as John 5:28&29 say “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.” And we will look forward to the day to see you again as Revelation 21 3-5 “3 with that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
5 And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Family & Friends rest to sure these words from God’s word the Bible are very much true..!
To the person that took this young man life Deuteronomy 32:35 “Vengeance is mine, and retribution.” All of the above words which are from God’s word the Bible are very powerful and true if you don’t believe it, read Isaiah 55:11 “so my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it.” So don’t think you got away with this because in God’s eyes he sees everything!
Aeh…
Posted by: a e h | February 02, 2008 at 11:35 PM
This mans life was sealed the minute he agreed to be a gang member. For the person quoting the bible you can't have it both ways. On one hand you say all of his sins will be forgiven and on the other hand you say vengence will be mine. Maybe the shooter was thinking the same thing"vengence was his." Gang members understand that being a gang member is a very dangerous way of life and getting killed comes with the way of life. It's the other people who do not understand that gang members do what gang members do and that is kill other gang members. As long as innocent people are not getting killed then let them kill each other because that means that an innocent person is not getting killed.
Posted by: QB | February 03, 2008 at 12:33 AM
i just got the news yesterday that BL was killed....my heart is broken yet again. I´'ve know him all his life, good brotha, and i pray that his soul finds peace in the world of the ancestors.
I was one of the original organizers of the "peace Treaty" in Watts in 1992, however after 17 years of service, lossing my son and fighting the necessary betrayals of individuals and governmental agencies funding us to mediate and prevent so-called gang violence, spirit took me on a journey. She explained to me that "peace" is not a place you get to than the struggle is over. Peace required that one balance the "gift" of the life with the "wounds" of the life. She told me to close CSDI (if you live in the hood, than you know what im talking about. if not, we were the gang funded intervention porogram in the hood) and focus on helping to restore the "vitality" of the human spirit. We call this vitality the imaginative/intuitive nature of human. Im currently living in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil half of the year and was talking with BL, RayG and Lil RayG just a few months ago sharing with them that they needed to start investing some $ here to have a place to retreat to outside the U.S. because in the U.S. we struggle unnecessarily.
Im going to always be from the hood, the thing is that im not willing to die or kill for the hood. Im only willing to LIVE. Through the stuff I've been thru what ive learned the most is how to LIVE. Even though my son was murdered by a so-called cat from Rollin' 60´s, I've learned to forgive. To forgive is no easy matter. It's an "intiation", like death, into the deeper mysterys of the life process. when the body dies, it releases it's etheric (soul) energy which can be harnest to do whats percieved as "good" things or "bad" things. I forgave the young mn who took my son life because im harvesting this energy for what i and we are "presencing" in the world as the Reverence Movement.....
until we, the hood/Grape St., establish a "covenant" by making the unwritten rules of the streets written amoungst those who choose that life style, we will continue to reap what we sow. Gangs have become an aboration. The truth is, most, if not all of us are living out of our own personal wounds. I know i was! I was gangbanging because i didnt know how to channel the rage and anger i was supressing from being sexually molested and physically abused as a kid. what's your reason?
it's not enough anymore to say, "the community needs jobs!" when we no that individuals are not menatlly prepared to enter civil society with all of it rediculus rules. Second, a job will never give one dignity, integrity and self respect when you dont have it as a foundation. it can sustain it, however it will never replace those core capacities.
and finally, im going to take you behind the veil.....We talk about gangs and gangmembers as if their some foriegn occupying force. These are your children! your sons and daughters!, fathers and mothers!, uncle and aunts! why can't we talk with them? because we are in denial of our own personal past (abuses and violations) which skews our perception of our present. 85% of boys in the hood have been sexually abused and if it didnt happen at home, they got raped in jail. we live out of this "secret" this shame. The symtoms: trust issues, emotionally de-sensitized, hyper vigilence, etc. the same syptoms as PTSD. Im healing and in a short time will share the medicine.
RIP BL, keep your head up Twita, my heart goes out to you Cathy and Blacky.
With a Perfect Love,
Aqeela
Posted by: aqeela | February 03, 2008 at 08:20 AM
I just don't unerdstand how we are killing are young & black man's. Back n the 90's it was bad but not like this wear u can't go out n have a good time and just live ur life what happen to dying @ a very very old age not any more they r dying younger & younger out their n the street's and it's mostly buy an gun and that is so so sad. I feel the pIain an im so sorry for the family and friends that who had lost this young man because i have lost my brother an 2006 an he was only 26yr old buy a gun so i have been their an been thru it all . To the family it's going to be hard but god will help u thru this hard time but just rember all the good times u had with ur love one an if he have kids just no that he is still around looking down on he's kids an family may god bless...................................
Posted by: I lost my Brother bye a Gun | February 03, 2008 at 08:56 AM
You don't know what it's like when you see and experience the loss. People can be judgemental and never understand or even get an inkling of what it's like to live and die in LA. There is a whole different dynamic to how individuals live here, at the place I call home. I am not a gangmember, but sadly have experienced 3 homicides up close and personal, to the point where I have gotten blood into my mouth. Being shot at because I was at the "wrong" place with the "wrong" people. Losing my husband's mother when she was in her deepest sleep because of a drive-by. But, people continue to judge those that kill and those that are killed. It is so simple to understand they are both victims of a ruined society. Those that kill, are dead inside already.
VG
Posted by: VG | February 03, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I am asking if maybe one of you. "Gangbangers" Could please maybe for one day let us in on your life, you know explain how exactly you got to this point of your life, why you have killed, how you felt when you shot @ someone, a total stranger or another gang member, is it not real to you? My 11 yr old daughter and I attended a Funeral of a family friend, she did not go to the open casket memorial the day before, and initially when I told her about his death, she reacted like I was telling her a make believe story, it did not actually hit her until they wheeled the casket by where we were sitting, then the reality set in and she was balling her eyes out. Do you get your sense of what death might be, from movies?
So like I was saying just take a few minutes and let us in to what a day in your life is about, be honest allow yourself to feel and allow us to feel and maybe we will stop "judging" or maybe you will read a response from someone that can help, even just a little bit. Maybe something will bring you to what reality really is and not what you have been brought up to believe it is to you. Please, no wanna be's and no fakes, I am sincerely interested in
"YOUR REALITY"
Posted by: Paco | February 03, 2008 at 12:34 PM
aqeela, when you say your community needs jobs, just what has your representatives all the way from city council up to our US Senators done to change things?
You need to admit that the city and the LAUSD has completely failed you. They have controlled the levers of power for decades now and have they improved your neighborhoods? Have they provided jobs or just pay lip service to the concept?
Why are they more concerned with the well being of illegal aliens and not of the long time and long suffering residents of your neighborhoods.
Before change can occur, you need to hold accountable those politicians and vote them out continuously untill someone is in there that does what they say!
Posted by: Mark | February 03, 2008 at 04:43 PM
I have to agree with aeh Branden was very respectful especially to his elders sure he lived a hard life; however this young man was still a Father, a Son, a brother, a nephew and a grandson… and yes he will dearly be missed!
In reply to QB I have a question for you …do you have a BIBLE? The reason why I ask is because aeh was speaking of our Heavenly Father quotes from GOD WORD THE BIBLE” not his/hers…. Because I read those scriptures which were mention and Branden sins are forgiven it clearly states that in the Bible at Roman 6:23 “For the wages sins pay is death,” And QB right under the Deuteronomy 32:35 aeh is letting us know that “VENAGENCE BELONG TO GOD” he/she was not speaking of themselves. Also I like the scripture that was mention at Isaiah 55:11 “every words that come out of our Heavenly Father month will not return to him without results”… so QB vengeance belong to God not man! So QB in God’s eyes the shooter criminal act will be expose again the shooter have not gotten away with anything our Heavenly Father see’s EVERYTHING!
QB why do you think the shooter was thinking the same thing “vengeance was his.” (MEANING THE SHOOTER) Because baby again the Bible clearly said at Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is his” (Meaning Vengeances belongs to GOD AND NOT HUMANS) Your comments regarding gang members do what gang members do and that is kill other gang members, as long as innocent people are not getting killed…. QB Hello!!!! Innocent people are getting killed and for what?
Branden even though you are asleep in death I believe the scriptures under aeh blog I will look forward along with your parents and kids to see you again... QB read your Bible!
we
Posted by: lo | February 03, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Where do we go from here. . . .Beasley was a true leader for his people. . .and his death, although a devastating tragedy. . . , should not continue to be portrayed by the media and political front non profit organizations as gang related. Beasley was killed trying to secure the safety of his people, something that only a true leader would do. . . .he wasn't a gang leader, he was a people leader. . . .
Posted by: realtalk | February 03, 2008 at 11:38 PM
reality is if you gang bang 3 things will happen to you eventually. Life in prison, 6 feet under ground or paralyzed take your pick. It's funny how everyone on the homicide blog is said to be the greatest human being. What about the people that they have hurt, shot at or beat up under the gang's name. As long as there is drugs, gangs, guns, people will continue to kill each other there is no other way to look at it. IT WILL NEVER BE STOPPED. For how many years have people tried to stop it. I care but what can I do, tell all the gang members to not shoot. There's too much money, drugs, control of the streets involved in this. All the prison gangs control all of this plain and simple. What can a gang member do out in the streets when told to do something, disagree? No, because he will be killed eventually or when he gets locked up he will be the first to go. Quit saying we have to stop this killings? It will never happen in our lifetime. Like they say when one is killed there are 4-5 more joining so it will never stop.
Posted by: reality | February 04, 2008 at 09:43 AM
We all have the power to stop this, or at least make a difference. We need to look within our own family and determine whether we are doing enough to prevent our children from carrying out an act that may take the life of someone elses child, father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, gandmother, grandfather or friend. After all, he/she who has killed someone is the child of one of us.
Let us not be one to say that "it is too late". Let us take action now and prevent our children from hanging out with the neighborhood kids who look and act like gangsters. I once too wanted to be cool like the neighborhood kids. I dressed like them and acted like them. And when I misbehaved (never anywhere near the point of using a weapon or cuasing severe damage to someone else), and was questioned about my affiliation to gangs or violence, my reply was always that I had no affiliation to gangs or voilence. And although that was the case, the truth is that violence was part of my life and I knew that my own actions or the actions of my so called friends, would one day, potentially bring my life to an end. And although, I thought at the time that I was willing to live with that knowledge, I failled to see the pain and sorrow that the end of my life would cause to a lot of people I knew. I lied to many people about what my activities with my neighborhood friends were. I always painted a rosie picture to my Mom and family so that they would not worry about what could potentially happen to me.
I would like to think that I have learned a lesson. And no matter how cool my kids want to be, I will not allow them to take up the fashions that represent what gang life is. Even if my parents were caught up in the lies that my older brother and I told them about our oversize shirts and pants, hair style, lingo and tattoos, I will fight to prevent my own kids from trying to tell me something I know not be true or for that matter, let them do something that puts them at risk.
Look within your own home, listen to your own children. If your children are beginning to look like the kids that hang out the corner down the street, chances are that even if they don't become part of the life of gangbangers, at the very least they are increasing the risk to becoming victims of crime by looking, sounding or even hanging out with other kids that have the violent element within their lives. Do your part to prevent becoming onther grieving parent or loved one simply because you did not take action early enough. Those of you who know of a loved one involved in gangs, it is not too late to help that someone to better themselves and perhaps, if successful, you may not only be helping a loved one but, someone elses loved one/s as well. You may be able to prevent the grieving of one or many other persons, simply by taking action and playing a bigger part in childs life and taking a hard stance on what he or she can and cannot wear, say or do.
Posted by: 1 who cares | February 04, 2008 at 05:29 PM
No one enjoys violence, but we have to face reality. Gangs will always do this to whoever they need to or want to. It will never be stopped no matter what anyone does, its sad but the truth. Everyone might disagree with me, but come on how can this be stopped. To many drugs, guns, too much money at stake for the gangs to walk away from it. The big homies in Pelican Bay control the whole thing and as long as there are soldiers to run around willing to do their work this will always be the case. Like the saying goes someone has to do it.
Posted by: reality | February 05, 2008 at 09:12 AM