OpinionCentral: A Tale Of Two Shootings

This OpinionCentral has a good chance of making you feel uncomfortable. That means I’m doing my job.

Let’s go back to the night of February 1st, 2016 and look at the Danville Police Department’s media release…

Two men were shot this evening as the result of an attempted robbery.

At approximately 7:08 pm this evening Danville Police and EMS responded to the 200 block of Mt. Vernon Ave. for a report of someone being shot. Upon arrival they discovered 49 year old Dr. Randolph Neal suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He reported that he was walking home following a meeting at Danville Regional Medical Center when he was approached on Mt. Vernon Ave. by two black males. One of the males produced a handgun and demanded money. Dr. Neal was shot several times before the suspects fled on foot.

Shortly following the first shooting, a 48 year old resident of the neighborhood heard a loud noise and went outside to investigate. While heading towards Mt. Vernon Ave. the resident encountered one of the suspects in the 100 block of Virginia Ave. where he was also shot.

Both victims were transported to Danville Regional Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. The second shooting victim was treated and released.

Dr. Neal continues to receive treatment at Danville Regional Medical Center.

The suspects are described as black males 5’9″ to 6′ tall.

By the next day, there was an amazing outpouring of community outrage. Within days, a $20,000 reward fund was put together. This robbery & shooting was in a relatively affluent area of the city and shocked the conscience of city residents who used to believe that this sort of thing just doesn’t happen in their metaphorical backyard.

Next, let’s go back to the morning of February 24th (23 days later) and look at this compilation of media releases from the Danville Police Department…

The Danville Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred early this morning.

At approximately 12:19 am Officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Halifax St. for a report of someone being shot. Upon arrival, they discovered a male with apparent gunshot injuries. He was pronounced non-viable at the scene by the Danville Fire Department. Crime Scene and Investigations personnel responded and continue to investigate. Identification of the deceased will be made by the Medical Examiner’s Office at a later time.

and…

The victim has been positively identified in the homicide early Wednesday morning.

The victim has been identified as Devontaye Jermaine Johnson, age 23, of Danville. The investigation is active and ongoing.

By the next day, there was absolutely no outpouring of community outrage. Within days, the standard Crimestoppers reward fund of up to $1,000 hadn’t been augmented by private donations one bit. This robbery & shooting was in a relatively crappy area of the city and failed to shock the conscience of city residents.

Two robberies & shootings (and the Halifax St. one was a murder). Two different community reactions. Why? Here comes the part that just might make you uncomfortable.

Dr. Neal wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was a totally innocent victim and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Randolph Neal is a highly respected, productive member of Danville’s society and is a fine example of a human being.

Devontaye Johnson was selling drugs and got shot to death by people who busted in his house in the middle of the night trying to rob him.

Here’s the thought process that goes though a lot of people’s minds, and I’ll freely admit that it goes through mine at times too. Devontaye Johnson had it coming to him. Randolph Neal didn’t. Finding out about a well-respected doctor getting shot during a robbery shakes the foundation of people’s well-being. Hearing about a drug dealer getting gunned down in the middle of the night during a home invasion barely moves the “Community Outrage” meter, and not even in his own community.

Yeah. I said that.

If you think that I’m criticizing the reaction to Dr. Neal’s shooting, you’re getting it wrong. That’s the way it should be with every major crime that happens in every locality. I was amazed & highly pleased at watching the community come together with money & moral support. And I’m not talking just about the hoity-toity part of Danville… I’m talking about the entire coalition that did one of the best community organizing jobs that I’ve ever seen.

I’m also not criticizing the work of the Danville Police Department. Their work on every major crime is consistently the best that they can do. I’ve seen comments and heard stories that the police don’t really bust their ass when it’s “thugs killing thugs”. That’s horsecrap.

I am talking about the lack of the same type of reaction after the murder of Devontaye Johnson. As I said before, I’m guilty of this as well. I’ve written, rewritten and edited this OpinionCentral six times now and never pressed the “Publish” button. That’s because I’m writing uncomfortable things about me and my thought process too. That ain’t easy, folks.

All major crimes are created equal. All major crime victims are created equal, too. Let’s remember this the next time that a major crime occurs in Danville. I’m going to try to do my best on that.