STOP THE VIOLENCE BREAK THE SILENCE[update]
02/03/2015 09:59 p.m.
STOP THE VIOLENCE, BREAK THE SILENCE!
I am reeling with emotions and I can’t stop the tears rolling. Another tragedy has occurred last night in our former home town and it hit too close to home. Another of my youngest son’s friends has been murdered and his other friend’s condition is unknown. Rocky Mount’s murder rate is soaring and the sad thing is, I happen to know many of the individuals/families involved directly or indirectly in most of these murders. I know them primarily because they are my son’s friends or they were my former students/families. It was bad when I left Rocky Mount in June of 2012. Now it is beyond bad. I spoke briefly with Robbie and found out very little ….rumors and speculation amidst the shock abound…..but this much I know, Mike Tavira and Joe and my son were good friends and Robbie watched the superbowl over at Mike’s the day before he was murdered. Robbie said Mike was shot in the back and they knew their assailants and let them in while Mike’s older brother was away at class at Nash Community College who then comes home to find a crime scene where Mike was unresponsive and Joe is being rushed to the hospital. Maybe robbery was a motive but no cash was taken which puts a strange twist….but it could be that things went wrong that wasn’t intended and they fled before they could get the money for fear of being caught……but I am sure there is a lot not being said. It is so senseless and sad and affects so many.

https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/one-killed-another-wounded-shooting-2785619

http://www.wncn.com/story/25771639/1-killed-3-injured-in-rocky-mount-assault

[I know/knew all these kids in this newscast- I was their art teacher]

I worry for my grandchildren. 
*UPDATE It is difficult when one knows these young souls as children before they grew into corrupted lives.Mike kept the truth from Robbie.He didn't know[despite obvious signs].Neither did Joe[the 17yr old who got shot],but Mike was using and dealing heroin and had been denying it to all his old pals from childhood....the influences of welfare, poverty and gangs/drugs has seriously impacted this community.....and this just as easily could have happened the day before when my son was there......wake up call...
I am currently Sad