This a terrible post from my FB page. March 22, 2017

It seems a day of days. At least in this building. There was a murder here. An older woman killed by her grandson. Sounds the typical urban tragedy. Until it hits feet from you. The reasons are unclear. The details I'll spare you. They're bad. very bad. Much blood.

It's been some years since I've been this close to un-natural death. Not since my Houseless time. Of course, the folks here are stunned. As am I. When this happens at close quarters the world stops. Being related or not it all stops.

That, and I had no idea it happened till I opened my door to go shopping and found a sea of Blue before me.

Police everywhere canvassing all the neighbors. As it happens they were about to knock on my door as I opened it. I knew nothing, and they said nothing. This to not color anyone's story. They wanted fresh first hand information. Which I couldn't give them.

I went out the press was there. The local radio, and TV. I got my information from them. I ended up on Channel 12 the Brooklyn cable station. Basically giving an overview of the neighborhood's history. How it was the wild west during the crack war, and is now very quiet, and gentrifying.

So here we all are.

With an inexplicable tragedy. We have much to ponder, and now much to live with.

Comments:

• Mark Marshall

   Love you, Uncle. Breathe as much as you can. 

  

  2

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Kimberly Massengill

  Awfully sorry, Sidney. Take care of yourself.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Active

  James LaMendola

  Sad all around, Uncle.

  Take care.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Daniel Finton

  I'm sorry, Sidney. We haven't had any in my building since 92.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Robin Miller

  A sad and traumatic story. So sorry it was close to home.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Denise Williams

  Stay safe cuz '

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Active

  Sidney Smith

  ...yes.

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Kristin Mcdonald

  I am so sorry you had to go through that. It's tough. I lived near a tent community one time. And you always heard about "it" so anyway I'm sorry

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Robert E ODonnell

  Jesus, Sidney. So awful, for everyone.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Teri Noel Towe

  

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Alison Armstrong

  Yes, stay safe. Good that you know local history and are able to communicate so well, even when traumatized. xx

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Terrence White

  Oh gosh, Uncle Sidney! How horrible! Sending much love, dear Uncle! 

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Katy Keiffer

  Ouch! Very traumatic for all concerned. So sorry your home has been destabilized this way.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Active

  Nalini Lasiewicz

  Sorry to hear, but good for you sharing it here. It's unnerving to witness such a catastrophic twist of fate, an tragedy all around.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Mike Feder

  A terrible thing-- mortality hovers... Take good care of your self, Sid.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Active

  Rudy Kisely

  I feel so terribly bad for this 70 year old woman, who's 32 year old grandson she obviously attempted to board and protect from himself.

  

  • Like
  • Reply
  • 5y
• Active

  Sidney Smith

  It's really not me it's that family. It's the closeness of it the empathy that naturally wells within. Death is so strange final mysterious. 

Domhnall O Cionnaoith

From far away I hear you. trauma, shock and horror is universal and we feel it here as much as there. Sad in its taking and tragic for everyone directly and indirectly. I haven't met you and I never will but I feel for you and your neighbors at this terrible time. May the mist of this time lift to reveal a new bright and sunny day.