IT'S NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES
I met a woman yesterday. Her name is Latonya Moore. Her daughter, Loreal, was killed about 2:15 Tuesday morning. The 18 year old was shot in the neck while getting into a car that her twin sister, Lauren, was driving. I sat on the floor in front of this mother who was so overcome with grief she could barely speak. She told me how her heart was broken apart. She kept asking me "Why? Why would someone kill my daughter?". While I sat there, Lauren came into the house. She let out this sob that came from deep within. A sob that can only come in response to immense sorrow. She watched her sister die, her twin, her other half. I had trouble watching her pain. I had no answers for her or her mother. I just tried to be compassionate and put myself in their place. I have a six year old son. What would i do if someone shot him? How could I go on?
The Chicago Police Department hasn't said what the motive was for the murder but Loreal's family believes she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Residents in that part of the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood tell me they have heard gunshots for days now. Gang wars possibly?
-- Marcella Raymond
Comments
This is why journalism is still important. As newspapers are downsizing and blogs (er...no offense) are being treated as genuine investigative reporting, it's important to have reporters speaking up for the public and holding gov't officials accountable. Keep up the good fight!
Posted by: Jess | March 29, 2007 10:42 AM
I agree. Unfortunately, this stuff happens all the time and it never makes the news because apparently it is not as interesting as American Idol or Anna Nicole. I live in uptown and the was a gang shooting right outside my 14 month-old daughter's window. There was no media coverage and our alderman has not even mentioned it. I scars me to death, but no one seems to care.
Posted by: kate oconnell | April 3, 2007 10:01 PM
Thanks, Marcella. You are an excellent on the scene reporter & have been for many years. You show a personal, human input.
This is one of your finest pieces. I'm glad to see you took time to put this in writing.
WGN is fortunate to have you as an on the street. I have a feeling you are not pushy in getting "the facts" from whoever is in charge or people connected with the situation.
You would seem to be a representative for those of us who care about tragedies to others--not in a morbid way.
Thanks for doing an excellent job over the years.
Posted by: Anne Wilmot | April 7, 2007 7:19 AM