While the whole country is still transfixed by the Trayvon Martin tradgedy (rightfully so), another innocent black kid has been killed for no other reason than a preconceived fear of skin color.
As 13 year-old Darius Simmons was taking out the trash for his mom in their Milwaukee suburb, he was approached by his 75 year-old neighbor, John Henry Spooner, who accused Darius of stealing guns out of his house. As Darius raised his hands in the air, Spooner pulled out a gun and shot the young boy in the back as he ran away. Darius’ mother, Patricia Larry, witnessed the murder.
Spooner claimed that police ignored him when he called to complain about the boy. In fact, he had talked to a friend earlier and suggested that he had planned to confront Darius himself
Darrius and his mom had lived in the neighborhood for only a month. It’s sad how quickly the fear of ones skin color can drive a man to murder. Spooner was charged with intentional manslaughter after admitting to the murder to police at the scene.
