What does it mean when we have yet another murder in Salina?

It's not as bad as

it seems

What was your reaction last week when you heard there had been yet another shooting death in Salina? If you're like most people we know, it went something like:

"Another murder?! What is going on here?!"

We're not sure, but we don't believe the situation is as bad as it might seem.

The latest shooting victim was Salinan Justin Letourneau, 22. The man police believe responsible, Willie Jerome Parker-Smith, 28, faces a second-degree murder charge. Both of the men were released from prison less than two months ago.

Letourneau's death came right behind that of Alfred Mack, 24, who was gunned down June 13 in his Salina apartment. No one has been arrested in his murder.

Throw in the September double homicide of Ernest J. Jones Jr. and Taryn K. Dechant; the shooting of Mark Simpson in April 2008; a few stabbings, a guy who had a leg nearly amputated, and a guy who got smacked in the head with a hatchet. It looks pretty grim.

But a recent chance comment from someone in law enforcement put things in perspective for us. His observation: If we could get rid of a dozen or so people in Salina, it would take care of the bulk of our problems. We are hopeful law enforcement will soon have the guilty found, judged and behind bars.

But what this reminds us of is that these shootings and stabbings are, for the most part, not random. Most of those involved in these crimes knew each other.

This still is a safe place to raise a family, take a walk, enjoy a night out, watch a high school football game.

We'll continue to cover the murders, shootings and stabbings in the Journal and on our Web site, salina.com. These are serious crimes, and you need to know about them.

But don't lose perspective and become cynical. Indeed, things aren't as bad as they seem.

-- Ben Wearing

Executive Editor

bwearing@salina.com

822-1421

Join the Discussion:

Salina.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here. Read our full online terms of service policy.

K276H says....
Exactly what does the police mean, if they could get rid of a dozen or so people, we could clean up Salina? Maybe the police should start in their own deparments, and clean out their corruption. That statemnet is a little predjudicial! Who would that dozen or so be? I think their is alot more than that from all sides of the track so to speak. Disgusted
6/30/2009

---

Roach says....
2% of the population creates 98% of the problems...
6/29/2009

---

Beth says....
Glad your paper is going to continue covering murders,near amputations,headwounds by hatchet,the 'few' stabbings,and many other acts of violence including the ymca broken jaw story,imagine a newspaper reporting to citizens.Also,Ben,a dozen or so malignancies make a nasty cancer.This town needs cleaned up.
6/29/2009

---

Post a comment
Your best chance of getting your comment posted:

• No profanity
• Be civil
• Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Comment:

Poster:

Enter text seen above:

Read our full use policy.