Not “just another statistic”

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A few days ago, The Homicide Report covered the killing of Anthony Jenkins, a reported drug user whose death seemed to have provoked little outrage. His body had lain in plain view for some time before anyone called 911.

Some neighbors, according to police, had shown contempt for the investigation, and there had been no shrine at the scene. All that had been left to mark the murder was a paramedic’s glove on the spot where Jenkins died.

On Tuesday, a small group of people gathered to belatedly mark Jenkins’ death. The group included about a half a dozen activists, none of whom knew Jenkins. They said they were upset by the apparent ignominy of his death.

One said she had seen a report about it ‘in the computer,’ and had driven across to town to make sure the murder was given more recognition. Another said she wanted to make sure Jenkins was not ‘just another statistic.’

The group eventually was joined by another half a dozen neighbors, who stopped by to see what they were doing, and look at Jenkins’ picture. Most then stayed for the proceedings.

As evening closed in, several people lit candles. Then the whole group, activists and neighbors, joined hands and prayed.

Above the spot where Jenkins died, they taped a computer printout with a picture of Jenkins copied from this website, and made into a sign. The sign reads: ‘My name is Anthony Jenkins. I’m 46 years old. I was murdered on June 18, 2007.’

The candles were still burning the next morning. A man, right, who had been pushing a shopping cart full of items scavenged from garbage cans stopped to take notice. The man had just found a fresh, whole green apple. After a moment’s consideration, he left it as an offering in front of Jenkins’ shrine. Jenkins was ‘my homeboy,’ the man said.

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