A Tale of Two Shootings

Somehow these two shooting incidents — one in Flint and one in Grand Blanc — manage to illustrate the seemingly ever widening gap between urban and suburban life in Michigan.

Gunning for Economic Prosperity

Looking for something positive about the Michigan economy? Try the sales of guns and ammo.

Lori Dougovito of ABC 12 reports:

A big boost in gun and ammunition sales in the last year could amount to millions of dollars more for Michigan. Those items are taxed federally. That money is then redistributed to states.

Michigan is on track to collect more of this tax money than ever, maybe as much as $17 million, according to the DNR's budget officer.

That would be about $6 million more than last year.

"We've been here about 13 months now. Very busy," said Kirk Richardson.

Spray Paint Memorial

Photo courtesy of Kristen Longley/The Flint Journal

Friends of a shooting victim memorialize him by spray painting graffiti on his family's Eastside home.

Flint Murder Map, R.I.P.

My experiment with the Flint Murder Map has ended.

It sparked some good discussions about how to cover homicides, but it proved to be way more work than I imagined. More importantly, I didn't feel it was really providing much of a memorial to the people who died in Flint. I was basically reprinting information gathered by the overworked and under appreciated reporters at The Flint Journal, especially Shannon Murphy, Bryn Mickle and RoNeisha Mullen. I didn't have the time to conduct interviews with family and friends or offer a more complete portrait of the deceased that I thought they deserved. (Believe it or not, this was actually my original plan. After 19 years as a journalist, I should have realized how unrealistic this goal was.)

Although it is not complete, one thing the Murder Map provides is a reasonably comprehensive look at where murders occurred in 2008. It also offers a database for readers to begin making their own judgments about what counts as murder and what doesn't. As this January story by Shannon Murphy shows, the Flint Police are more than willing to revise the murder count:

"Flint police now are saying 2008 had one of the lowest reported number of homicides in a decade.

"On Monday, interim Chief David Dicks said the city had as much as a 10 percent decrease in homicides from the previous year.

"That comes just a week after Dicks reported there was a 16.6 percent increase — from 30 homicides in 2007 to 35 in 2008.

"A closer look at the statistics revealed that up to eight of the homicides are justifiable, which would bringing the number down to 27, Dicks said.

"'This is a big deal for us and the citizens,' Dick said. 'It's showing we are doing the best we can.'"

Anyone who has ever watched The Wire knows that statistics compiled by the police should be verified independently.

In season three, Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin complains about pressure to "juke the stats" to create the appearance that crime is decreasing. "You can reclassify an agg assault, unfound a robbery, but how do you make a body disappear?" he asks.

Apparently, you simply reclassify the murder as a justifiable homicide.

Marcus Houston, R.I.P.

"Police on Thursday night [Nov. 13] were investigating the slaying of a man shot numerous times outside a party store on the city's north side," reports Bryn Mickle of The Flint Journal.

"A man who police believe to be in his late teens or early 20s was found shot in the upper body about 6 p.m. near the front door of a party store at Sherman Avenue and Harvard Street.

"Police found multiple shell casings nearby from two different types of guns."

Go here for more video.

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in The Vehicle City throughout the year. Please note that the map is incomplete and offers only a partial list of murder victims.

Cedrick Carradine, R.I.P.

"Police are investigating a fatal shooting early this morning [Nov. 5] on the city's northside," reports Shannon Murphy of The Flint Journal.

"Police were called to East. Piper Street near King Avenue shortly after midnight for a shooting.

"Police found Cedric Carradine unresponsive in the street. He died of multiple gunshot wounds."

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in The Vehicle City throughout the year. Please note that the map is incomplete and offers only a partial list of murder victims.

Tyrell A. Lee, R.I.P.

"Police are continuing to investigate an early morning [Oct. 9] shooting that left a 32-year-old man dead," reports Shannon Murphy of The Flint Journal.

"Police were called to East York Avenue near Industrial Avenue about 4:45 a.m. for a shooting.

"Tyrell A. Lee was found in the street with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead."

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in the Vehicle City throughout the year. Please note that the map is incomplete and offers only a partial list of murder victims.

Lamar A. Williams, R.I.P.

Shannon Murphy of The Flint Journal reports:

"A 44-year-old Flint man was charged in the Friday shooting death of Lamar A. Williams.

"Police said Anthony Allen got into an argument with Williams, 31, on Ridgeway Avenue near Dupont Street. Allen allegedly grabbed William's gun, shooting and killing him, before barricading himself in a nearby house, police said.

"Allen was charged with open murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and felon in possession of a firearm. Flint police Sgt. Jeff Fray said the cooperation of witnesses in the neighborhood led to the charges.

"A third man who is believed to have witnessed the fight also is being sought for questioning. Anyone with information can call Fray at (810) 237-6907."

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in The Vehicle City throughout the year.

Daniel Alan Thompson, R.I.P.

Dana DeFever of The Flint Journal reports:

"A 20-year-old man died Wednesday morning after he was shot.

"Daniel Alan Thompson, 20, was shot in the upper torso about 1:25 a.m. Wednesday morning on Kermit Street south of Pierson Road.

"Sgt. Mitch Brown said Thompson was inside a vehicle when he was shot. One other occupant was in the vehicle with him, he said. Thompson was taken to Hurley Medical Center, where he later died.

"Brown said Thompson is originally from the Grand Rapids area, but was living in the Flint area.

"Police believe the incident could of have been a possible robbery attempt."

For a map of Flint homicides, go to the Flint Murder Map.

The Deer Hunter

For future reference, when flying out of Flint's Bishop Airport, or even going anywhere near it, always wear hunter's orange, or a 1972 Powers High School graduation gown.

The Detroit News reports:

"A public safety officer trying to shoot a deer on the grounds of Flint's Bishop International Airport fired a shot that went astray and whizzed by workers at a nearby business.

"Airport Director James L. Rice tells The Flint Journal the airport is developing new rules on how and when wildlife will be cleared from airport property following the shooting the afternoon of July 18.

"Rice says he's apologized, and the airport may limit shoots during local business hours.

"United Auto Workers Local 659 shop chairman Jack Cannon was outside auto parts supplier Android Industries with other workers at the time of the shooting. He says workers thought someone was trying to kill them.

"Wildlife such as deer at the airport are considered a safety hazard for flights."

Basketball, guns, rabbits and moving vans

I had to highlight this anonymous comment from a reader because it sums up a lot of conversations I've had with people when they discover I'm from Flint. I'm sure many expatriates have had a similar experience:

"I remember in the '70s it was, 'Oh Flint, that's where all the great basketball players are from.' And then in the '80s it was, 'Flint!? Do you own a gun? Have you ever seen somebody shot?' And then in the '90s it was, 'Flint? Do you know the Rabbit Lady?' And then I moved...."

Kenneth Dickerson Jr., R.I.P.

Rescue workers attempt to save the life of Kenneth Dickerson Jr. as a young neighbor looks on. (Photo by Thomas Simonetti/The Flint Journal)

Kenneth Dickerson Jr. was shot and killed on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 on Francis Avenue near Hamilton Avenue in Flint.

The Flint Murder Map tracks homicides in The Vehicle City for 2008. Please not that the map offers an unofficial count of murder victims and may not be complete.

Raymond C. Blount, R.I.P.

Dana DeFever of The Flint Journal reports:

"Raymond C. Blount, 47, died Saturday from a gunshot wound.

"Flint police received a call about a shooting and responded at 6:45 a.m. Saturday to 3152 Woodrow. There police found Blount, who was transported to Hurley Medical Center and pronounced dead."

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