Over the weekend, there was a tragic robbery/shooting that occurred in trendy Uptown (Mpls). It occurred on Saturday night as a family having finished a dinner together was walking back to their car on the 3100 block of Girard Ave South. The young man was shot in the head after the robbers stole his mother's purse. He died on Monday night. It's a terrible story.
I used to live in the very location where the robbery/shooting occurred. It's crazy to think about. The shooting took place right outside my old apartment building. When I moved to Mpls in 2000, I was frantically searching for an apartment and happened to come upon this place through collegial connections. I felt lucky because it was in a desirable location and it actually was a decent apartment (2 bedrooms, hardwood floors and built-ins, garage). Being new to Mpls, I didn't really know where to live, so starting out in Uptown was a good choice. I lived there for just shy of 3 years. It was the longest I had ever lived in one apartment. In my time on Girard, I always felt safe. Now, I am thankful I had the opportunity to purchase a home and move to another part of the city where presumably it is safer. It's a privilege I have and I am thankful for it.
Of course, I had lived in much worse neighborhoods, such as those in Richmond, VA where I attended graduate school. Back then, I once was doing my laundry at the local laudromat when I saw two guys shooting at each other in the back alley. Amazingly, they missed each other and both fled the scene. This sort of scene played out monthly yet I never personally felt scared. Well, I take that back. I lived on the ground floor in a gentrified neighborhood but saying gentrified is being kind. Anyway, I used to hear all sorts of noises outside my apartment that would freak me out. One evening, I heard someone in the upstairs apartment (which is directly above where my bedroom was located). They were rattling the upstairs apartment door that led to the back stairway outside. I was convinced it was a break-in. Then, quite loudly, I heard a body stumble and crash down the stairs...landing right next to my back door -- a few feet from my bed. I sprung out of bed and called 911. The police arrived and came through my bedroom to check out the noise (which was no longer). They didn't see anything at first. Then, the police officer said to his partner, "I see blood," and they drew their revolvers. I kid you not. There I am, standing in my boxers and t-shirt with these officers holding their guns and flashlights. It turned out that my upstairs neighbor's brother was visiting from out of town, was drunk, and in a drunken haze thought the back door led to the bathroom. He took a step to pee and crash, fell down the stairs. Even though it was (upon recall) a funny story, it scared the crap out of me at the time.
Still, I truly have never been the personal victim of crime (except, of course, racial discrimination, threats, and harrasment from a plethora of White men through the years). Oh, there also was the time when I was in college and at a record store that was held up at gunpoint. I simply stared stupidly at the gunman. Then, when asked by the police officer for a description, I could not recall anything at all. An amazing case of poor memory recall.
Well, it is truly sad news regarding the young man who died. It was completely random, completely unnecessary, and just terrible. I will think of the family in my prayers this evening. I also am going to be a bit more cautious as I walk through Uptown.
Posted by richlee at March 21, 2006 10:17 AM