On July 21, 2022, at 2:30 a.m., my phone rang and woke me up. It was my brother. He said my 17-year-old son was dead. What? What are you talking about? He said something happened at the park in our neighborhood.
The park was 800 feet from our home. We lived on a lake, and the kids hung out there; it was like our backyard. Safe — at least I thought so. I ran outside and saw blue lights, and I tried to get through, but I was stopped and told that John and Aiden, his best friend, were both gone.
John was a loving, kind and hard-working kid. He was just starting to really live and be happy when he was shot nine times in the back while seated at a picnic table. Aiden was shot five times, one in the head .WHY? A 16-year-old was convicted; one that was with him is still free. I sat through a trial. No parent should ever have to endure that pain. My life will never be the same. Still I ask Why??
Love you, John. Miss you every day. My heart is shattered.