Aarie Berry 3 (Left), Mariha Smith 5 (Right)
In July Detroit loss two angels, both under the age of 6, in violet crimes that have shock Detroit right to its core. They can now rest in peace because it is believed that both of their killers were caught and are now charged.
First the case of Aarie Berry the 3 year old shot in the head by stray bullet when she thought she heard fireworks outside her living room window. Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee than called for citizen groups to help find the killer or killers of Aarie Berry. The Detroit 300 in particular answered the Chief’s call and went into that neighborhood, gathered information, turned the information over to the police which lead to the arrest of Devin Lamar Taylor, 21, who was arraigned Wednesday in 36th District Court on first-degree murder.
The second is the case of Mariha Smith is just as sad and heartbreaking as the first. For reasons not officially disclosed, Mariha Smith was taken from her home, hit in the head with a bunt instrument, strangled and then set on fire to cover the killer’s tracks. Again, as with the first case, Chief Ralph Godbee called for citizens to take the helm and give the police information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers. Just hours after the funeral a man was arrested in connection with her slaying.
At the funeral of Mariha Smith Chief Godbee asked the question, “What the hell is wrong with us?” a question that has been ringing in the head of Detroiters since it was first asked that afternoon. Raphael Johnson, co founder of the Detroit 300, asked “Where are the real men at?” this question is asked because to many of our so called men are losing their focus on family and moving toward violence.
This violet behavior is now being moved toward our elderly and children, the population that can’t defend themselves against their much stronger and more aggressive opponents. Children are beginning to become the focus of violet crimes started by their parents or just the innocent victims of some retaliation gone wrong. Where is the outrage when it comes to crimes such as this? Yes, more and more people are standing up to the criminals that are running in the streets of Detroit. Forming citizen patrol groups, forming block clubs, hiring private security to patrol the neighborhoods in which they live. Also, more people are getting CCW’s to protect themselves, but is that a solution? The recent shooting death of a 19 year old carjacker was committed by a citizen with a CCW; and that person could be charged with murder.
What can we, as citizens, do to help the police with this crime problem? Are you outraged enough so that little angels’ like Aarie and Mariha can rest in peace?
First the case of Aarie Berry the 3 year old shot in the head by stray bullet when she thought she heard fireworks outside her living room window. Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee than called for citizen groups to help find the killer or killers of Aarie Berry. The Detroit 300 in particular answered the Chief’s call and went into that neighborhood, gathered information, turned the information over to the police which lead to the arrest of Devin Lamar Taylor, 21, who was arraigned Wednesday in 36th District Court on first-degree murder.
The second is the case of Mariha Smith is just as sad and heartbreaking as the first. For reasons not officially disclosed, Mariha Smith was taken from her home, hit in the head with a bunt instrument, strangled and then set on fire to cover the killer’s tracks. Again, as with the first case, Chief Ralph Godbee called for citizens to take the helm and give the police information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers. Just hours after the funeral a man was arrested in connection with her slaying.
At the funeral of Mariha Smith Chief Godbee asked the question, “What the hell is wrong with us?” a question that has been ringing in the head of Detroiters since it was first asked that afternoon. Raphael Johnson, co founder of the Detroit 300, asked “Where are the real men at?” this question is asked because to many of our so called men are losing their focus on family and moving toward violence.
This violet behavior is now being moved toward our elderly and children, the population that can’t defend themselves against their much stronger and more aggressive opponents. Children are beginning to become the focus of violet crimes started by their parents or just the innocent victims of some retaliation gone wrong. Where is the outrage when it comes to crimes such as this? Yes, more and more people are standing up to the criminals that are running in the streets of Detroit. Forming citizen patrol groups, forming block clubs, hiring private security to patrol the neighborhoods in which they live. Also, more people are getting CCW’s to protect themselves, but is that a solution? The recent shooting death of a 19 year old carjacker was committed by a citizen with a CCW; and that person could be charged with murder.
What can we, as citizens, do to help the police with this crime problem? Are you outraged enough so that little angels’ like Aarie and Mariha can rest in peace?
Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee along with members of The Detroit 300
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