'My baby'

                     

On Thursday evening, family members, community activists, neighbors and police officials gathered outside the apartment complex where 8-year-old Jasmine Sanders, listed below, had been fatally shot a day before. Candles, flowers, balloons and stuffed animals were placed near the stairwell where Jasmine collapsed after she was shot. Ministers led a prayer, then the crowd raised candles and sang "In my neighborhood, I'm going to let it shine." Seconds into the song, Jasmine's mother, Shadonna Kinney, 28, above in white, broke down. "My baby, my baby," she said before screaming. She was escorted into a building across the apartment. "Give her some air," a bystander said.

Inside, she cried and screamed for about half an hour before going back outside. Police Capt. Gregory Allen of the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street Division, who was recently promoted by Police Chief William Bratton, told family members that the LAPD, the city and the community were going to come together to not only solve the crime but also make the neighborhood much safer.

At about 8 p.m. the crowd marched around the block, chanting "Stop the violence, increase the peace," and "Save our children."   Residents peeked through half-open doors and through black window bars, dogs barked and children playing paused to watch the crowd pass.

ruben vives/LAT 

Comments

[communitywake up]

I will be praying for you and family. Where are all the communtiy leaders. Jesse Jackson, Magic Johnson and ect. Stand up and take stand. We are killing ourselves.
This is the time to round up all those cowards street so called gangbangers and put them in the battle zone in iraq. I am sick and tired of this shooting. please stop this in our community. Black love.and Peace be in the community.

[Carlos]

Another Flatline
You may not hear “A Bullet With No Name” blaring from the radio or “Drive By” bumpin’ at the club and “OGB (Old Gang Banger)” probably won’t make it to the Billboard charts nor “Another Flatline” be performed on American Idol, but there are many a “Soul Cry” perpetuated by gangs that have manipulated our communities through fear and violent acts inflicting pain and grief on the old and young alike. We, as adults, must take action to thwart this growing menace and sustain our sense of community. Ruff Ground echoes the need for awareness to this sensitive urban issue and with captivating rhythms and classic sounds it reinforces the ongoing need for us to keep our youth off “555 Cemetery Lane”.
Please... LET'S STOP THE VIOLENCE.
www.ruffground.com

[Mary]

It's really sad that this little girl's own cousin is the guilty party. I guess he is the demon that the mother was talking about. Something went terribly wrong with this family structure.

[Southoc]

her cousin did it, why raise children to murder, or be murdered, why have children?