Walgreens McMinnville (11/20 and 11/24/2014) and McMinnville First Baptist Church readerboards (11/20/2014). Wildcatville photos.
Linfield coach Joe Smith pens open letter
An open
letter from Linfield football coach Joseph Smith was published on the website
catdomealumni.blogspot.com Wednesday evening at 10:46 p.m. regarding the Parker
Moore tragedy. Smith’s words are among the few public comments on the case from
members of the Linfield football program. The letter (text which follows as it
appeared in the McMinnville N-R/News-Register 11/21/2014 edition) has been
lightly edited for clarity.
Dear
Catdome Family,
The past few days have been the most difficult of my life,
and certainly the most trying and painful period our program has experienced.
It has ripped our hearts out. I believe the greatest strength of our program is
its closeness. This truly is a family. It is pillar number one. We say
“Family,” we break huddles to “Family,” it’s written in the locker room; but it
is more than words. We actually live Family. It is the single greatest
characteristic that makes our program what it is. It’s Thor’s hammer; it’s
Samson’s hair.
It is also what has made this so painful for all of us. Not
only is each member of our team hurting personally, but they have to see the
hurt in their fellow teammate’s eyes and the pain is doubled. A former Wildcat
just a few years out, wrote to me, “I never had the pleasure of meeting Parker,
but that doesn’t matter, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. If one is hurting,
we all are hurting, if one of us is in need we pick each other up.”
I could not agree more. It has been very hard, but that very
sentiment shared to me is helping our program process, embrace, and eventually
grow from our loss of Parker.
The incredible outpouring of love and support from hundreds
of former players, supporters, as well as so many people from the McMinnville
community is overwhelming. Businesses and many churches in town have sent their
support, many sending incredible letters and wishes. Driving home past the
readerboard at Walgreens in McMinnville last night, I had to pull over as I
found that so powerful and impacting.
All of this outpouring is humbling and has truly helped our students and
staff. On behalf of our program, I want
to publically thank you all.
I have to agree with sentiment that in the midst of tragedy
is when you find out what you are made of.
Saturday night at that 7-Eleven I was able to witness firsthand the
finest police officers and paramedics one could want, perform in their darkest
moment. The way in which they handled the scene was impressive to me. They were
professional and yet compassionate. I applaud them for what they do, and I am
in their debt. Thank you. The officers
and paramedics that tried to save Parker’s life on that floor, in the
ambulance, and in the helicopter – thank you.
To the McMinnville Police Department officers that physically stood
between Parker and evil, thank you for protecting ALL in that 7-Eleven. You are
heroic to me.
The way in which Linfield has come together to show
solidarity and support has given me a renewed hope for this generation. Just
when I think my kids can only live digitally, these young men and women showed
so much compassion and insight that I was taken aback. I am so proud of our
students here. The memorial fence is a testament to the caring and insight and
yes, wisdom, that our young adults here possess. I am so proud of Linfield and
our students.
The way that colleges all around the country have reached
out and expressed their condolences, letting us know we are in their thoughts
and prayers, has really helped our team. Many high schools throughout Oregon
and the Pacific Northwest have reached out as well. Thank you.
The Northwest Conference has particularly struck a chord
with our team, as the support from our fiercest competitors made a difference
for us. Each program in our conference reached out to me personally, some even
going further, such as Pacific’s image they posted, Lewis & Clark’s picture
of their team honoring Parker, and Whitman’s candlelight vigil. Chapman
specifically honored Parker, as is Wesley with a moment of silence planned for
their playoff game. To all I say thank you.
The way that Parker Moore lived his life is a testament to
his faith and his upbringing. There is no doubt that the Moore family raised an
incredible young man. The impact he has had on our campus is what has made his
loss so unbearably great. He was a young man that transcended social barriers
because of his genuine love and concern for others. In many ways Parker was the
total package. I really do believe he embodied all that is good at Linfield,
and all that we strive for men in our program to become.
A consummate teammate. Team-first at all cost. A man of character, his word was his
bond. A man of action. He was a worker
that loved the grind. Teddy Roosevelt was writing about Parker when he penned
the “man in the arena.” A true leader.
Some people are born with a magnetic personality and
strength of personality that draws people to them. Parker was that man. From a
young age I know he exhibited that. What made him a true leader was his
compassion and caring for people. His middle-school math teacher, Ryan Adams,
wrote a letter that portrays Parker EXACTLY as the image I have in my mind of
what I believe Parker would have been like at that age. A young man that cared more about others more
than himself.
Now besides being a man of action, Parker could talk. That
is for sure, and he was funny. He had that gift of timely wit, and knowing when
a nickname would stick, and ride it. Since he cared about people, he got
people. He knew what would be funny, what would interest others, and would go
with it. His positivity was contagious.
Our team will miss that smile and that positive humor and spirit more
than I can write. Many have described Parker as a light on campus, and I sure
agree with that.
Many around our campus have celebrated the well roundedness
and compassion of Parker, and that is so true. However, make no mistake about
it, Parker was a linebacker. When he sat in my office with his father
contemplating colleges, he asked what we thought about him. I told him, “You
are a football player, Parker, and you are our kind of man. We want you.” He was created to enjoy physical combat; it
was in his DNA. Parker could run and hit. And he loved it. Parker loved to
compete, especially if he could hit something while competing. Parker embodied the compassionate warrior
that so many of our players strive to be. He was STRONG in ALL the best ways.
Parker Moore is the young man that every father wants their
son to grow up to be. I am so proud of
him. The example he has given this team, this college, and hopefully all who
read about him, will live on in all the young men who come through this
program. As Lucas Jepson wrote to our
team, “Parker Moore is not gone, he’s with us all every step we take. He will
be making sure we all represent that Linfield L to the fullest with every step
and every moment we encounter. It’s a
chance to rise up and be leaders and change a life.” I know that the young men on this team will
use Parker as an example to live up to, and will be better men from having
known him. I know that will have a
ripple effect in our communities and world, and Parker will have made a larger
impact than he could imagine. Our coaches will ensure that every future player
gets to know Parker and what he stood for.
I know Parker loved our football field, and it was clearly a
favorite place of his. Parker was a
strong man of faith. As hundreds stood
on the L in the middle of our field last night at our student led candlelight
vigil, I could not help but realize our Parker was at his new favorite place,
watching down on his school brought together as one. I know he has heard the words, “Well done, my
good and faithful servant.”
I love you, Parker.
Coach Smith
..........
Losing a student to tragedy
Ryan
Adams is a math teacher at Leota Junior High School in Woodinville, Washington,
where he taught Parker Moore. He wrote this remembrance on his blog.
By Ryan
Adams
Text as
appearing in McMinnville N-R/News-Register 11/21/2014
Caring about the education of each child who walks into the
classroom should be a given for every teacher, but what about students? Should
it be expected that each child who enters the classroom cares about the
education of every other child in the room?
You know what? Lose the word “expected.” Does this ever
happen? Do other teachers encounter students who inherently care about the
learning of every other student in the room?
For the first five or six years of my career, I would have
easily answered that question with a loud and emphatic no! Students may be
willing to help other students, to work in groups, to speak to and disagree
respectfully with every other student in the room. But care about their
learning? No.
Not, that is, until Parker Archie Moore walked into my
ninth-grade Algebra 1 class. At first glance, he looked like the typical alpha
male.
I teach at a junior
high with grades 7, 8 and 9. Parker was well known in all three grades, the
good-looking, athletic, popular and charismatic kid that girls had crushes on
and all athletes looked up to. It seemed he was talented at everything. What I
soon learned was that Parker was so much more than talented and could never be
defined as anything close to typical. Parker was a special kid.
I first noticed how maturely he carried himself. On the
first day of ninth grade, he introduced himself to me and shook my hand, “Mr.
Adams, I know we have seen each other around school a lot and joked around in
the hallway before, but I wanted to officially introduce myself. I’m Parker.” I
laughed and told him to sit down.
Of course, I knew who he was and, of course, he knew me. I
first thought he was trying to earn some brownie points with the teacher, or
maybe he was an “Eddie Haskell” type student. Boy, was I wrong!
Parker started to distinguish himself as a top student right
away. He followed directions to the smallest detail; he listened intently and
took notes even when not asked. He ensured the group rules used in my class
were being implemented correctly in his group because he trusted me when I said
this structure would lead to more learning for him and his classmates.
His work was neat and methodical. He was not afraid to try
new things, experiment or admit when he did not know how to solve a problem.
But how he interacted with others really set him apart from most students.
With Parker, social circles did not mean much. If he saw
someone who did not have a pencil, it did not matter whether they were friends;
he would open his binder and give them one of his extra pencils, never
expecting to see the pencil again. If someone in his group was confused, he
would stop everything to lean over and talk them through whatever they needed.
He encouraged others to keep trying because “That’s the only way you are going
to learn and get better.” Who is this kid?
One day, I was walking around the room and noticed him
writing his number down in another student’s planner. These two were not
buddies, did not have the same friends. As a teacher who knows my students
fairly well, I knew they were from different worlds. Parker said to him, “If
you have trouble tonight, call me. Don’t give up.” Wow.
A similar situation happened later that semester. After
class, Parker came up to me and asked if a particular student was attending
Want Help Wednesdays, a math help session I held after school for struggling
students. I replied no, but I had been trying to encourage him to go. Parker
asked, “If I can convince him to stay, can I stay after school, too, and help
him? I think he trusts me, and it might help him get over this hump.” Wow.
Parker did persuade him and came to WHW to help him. A few
weeks later, Parker again stayed after class to ask me another question, “I
seem to be doing pretty well. Do you need some help on Wednesdays after school?
Baseball doesn’t start up for another month or two, and I think I could help
out while I have the chance.” Wow.
Parker continued to impress me with the generosity of his
attention, time, class supplies and smile. His smile was never missing. If he
did well on a challenging problem, he smiled. If he struggled, he smiled and
took it as an opportunity to get better. If someone in his group struggled, he
smiled and offered to help. Parker’s outlook on his life was all about
opportunity: the opportunity to learn, play, excel and help others excel.
In discussing the art and philosophy of teaching, I have
told colleagues, “I am not here for the ‘A’ students. I am here for the ones
who need me most.” I can say with confidence that Parker did not need me to
succeed, but I sure needed him. He inspired me to be a better person, teacher
and role model.
A few years later, when Parker was a senior in high school,
his mom reached out to me about Parker’s college choices. He was debating
whether to follow in his sister’s footsteps to Gonzaga or continue his
education and football career at Linfield College.
I attended and played football at Linfield, and she wanted
my perspective on its size, location, educational quality and the team. This
was a no-brainer for me, as Linfield was the best decision I could have made
for my college experience. I asked her to send Parker my way.
When Parker came back to my classroom, he filled the room
with his smile and greeted me once again with a proper handshake. Only this
time, his hand was much bigger and stronger. He sat down and regaled me with
stories of his high school classes. The good ones, the tough ones and those he
wished he could take again. Not to improve his grade, because he earned an A,
but because he felt there was more to learn. Wow.
He asked me if I still had Want Help Wednesdays, and I
explained it had expanded into a school-wide program in the library on Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Now we have teachers from other content areas, and we help
everyone with whatever they need. Parker expressed that he wished our school
had that when he was here. When I asked why, he said I bet it would have helped
a lot of students in my grade. Wow, again.
Soon we moved the conversation to Linfield College. Why did
I choose to go there, and what did I like about it? First, the education one
receives at Linfield is hard to match. It is consistently ranked as one of the
Top Small Colleges in America and Best Bargains for your money. The community
around Linfield is centered on learning. The staff-to-student ratio is one of
the best on the West Coast, so you can meet with a professor and not a
teacher’s assistant.
Second, the location is great. Living outside Seattle, a
four-hour drive to Linfield made weekend trips home do-able, but still far
enough away that parents can’t drop in unannounced (smile). Plus, McMinnville
is 45 minutes from Portland and Lincoln City. So trips to the city or ocean are
close enough for quick getaways.
Third, the football team is more than a team; they are
family. The goal of the coaches is to make you a better man first, then a
better football player. This philosophy is exemplified by coaches who care
about their players, their players’ lives and education. Team, Excellence,
Attitude and Class.
I summed everything up for Parker by saying Linfield College
is full of students like him, students who care about their learning and the
learning of those around them, students who excel in the classroom and
athletics.
Parker went home to discuss his choices with his family and
consider his priorities. A few days later, I received an e-mail from his mom
informing me that Parker had called the coaches at Linfield and committed. The
next day, Parker came by my class again. We hugged, and I congratulated him on
his choice.
This fall was the start of Parker’s second year at Linfield
and his second year on the football team. I attended the homecoming game in
October, hoping to watch him play. He had yet to crack the starting rotation
but was making a splash on special teams.
In a conversation with someone close to the program, I heard
coaches were excited to see what Parker could do in his future at Linfield.
Later that evening at a restaurant, I ran into Parker and his mom. I gave him a
hug and told him how proud I was of him. I asked him if he was happy with his
choice to attend Linfield.
“Yes, I have met so many good people, and I am really enjoying
it. I’m a little disappointed I’m not starting yet, but that just means I need
to work harder.”
This past Saturday, after Linfield had won its sixth
straight conference title, Parker entered the 7-Eleven across the street from
Linfield a little after 11 p.m. A local man entered the store and stabbed
Parker in the chest. Parker died not long after.
I read the news article on my phone Sunday morning. Shock.
Disbelief. Sadness. Denial. Anger. Sorrow. Then again. Shock. Denial. Anger.
Sorrow. And again.
I called his mom to offer whatever I could, but what could I
do? I called Linfield’s coach, too. I cried.
The past couple of days have been a roller coaster of
emotions. I had to leave school Monday because I could not handle being in the
classroom where Parker demonstrated incredible humanity for his classmates.
I still remember where he sat. I still remember our
conversations. It’s hard to be here. It’s hard to think about going to
after-school help on Tuesday and Thursday.
I want to go home and try to sort through this terrible act
of evil, but I have to get back into the classroom. I have to be there for the
kids who need help, because that’s what Parker would do.
.........
A game week like no other
By Robert Husseman of the McMinnville N-R/News-Register
11/21/2014
Asked about Linfield’s position in the NCAA Division III
playoffs on Tuesday afternoon, Wildcats head coach Joseph Smith stiffened his
posture slightly and waved his left hand dismissively.
“I didn’t care,” Smith said. “The show was on, and I just
asked our guys, ‘Who are we playing first?’”
Smith – and in all likelihood, the Linfield program – still
had Parker Moore in his thoughts. The sophomore linebacker from Woodinville,
Washington, was fatally stabbed on the night of Nov. 15 at the 7-Eleven
convenience store at 901 S. Baker St. in McMinnville, across from the Linfield
College campus. Sixteen hours later, the Wildcats (8-1), champions of the
Northwest Conference, would learn where they stood in the Division III
playoffs.
Smith makes weekly appearances before the media to discuss
his team and the week ahead. He did not deviate from that schedule, making his
first public appearance since a press conference Sunday to discuss Moore. At that
press conference, Smith read a prepared statement and took no questions.
In a deviation from the traditional format, the
News-Register was asked to participate in the press conference on the condition
that one person would ask one question about Moore’s death to Smith, by a
person of the athletic department’s choosing. This condition was agreed to. A
request to photograph Smith at the press conference by the News-Register was
subsequently denied.
Asking the question about Moore to Smith was Bill Johnson,
the Wildcats’ radio play-by-play announcer. Johnson customarily tapes a short
segment with Smith before each press conference for the purposes of the
Linfield athletic department.
Johnson asked: “It has been the most incredible week and I
would imagine that the emotions for the coaching staff and the players, for
anybody, Joe, a part of the Linfield nation has spread from the alpha to the
omega, from the excitement of winning over Pacific, knowing that you would be
into the playoffs, knowing that you definitely are the championship team of the
conference for the sixth year in a row, and yet the tragic news that we all
received Saturday evening.”
Smith replied: “Yeah, it’s been quite a roller coaster for
certain, and our team is really, uh, really happy on Saturday night. We were
able to kind of wash away the stink of that Willamette game and a little bit of
the disgrace of that. I thought that was awesome. It was a good feeling. We
kind of knew that, if we played well, we’d be able to just kind of erase that
from memory and learn from it, of course, but move past that.
“And, uh, you know, the events with Parker, they rocked our
team. There’s no question. It’s been a brutal deal for our whole campus, and
it’s been really hard, so, um, you know, we’re moving past it and – we’re
moving through it, I guess, is a better way to say it.
“And, you know, the outpouring of support and love and
condolences is quite staggering. The sheer amount of high schools around the
state that have called, and, you know – in the forties, probably – and the same
amount of colleges from all over the country have called – probably close to
30, 40 colleges – and have sent us their condolences and being there for our
team. So, I think that’s just been awesome.
“And just the campus itself has really come together. From
security bringing us coffee or hot chocolate, you know, just the little things
like that have been truly amazing, just to see what the support groups and the
different student groups on campus, coming together for the team and for all
the different people that Parker touched, because he touched so many people on
campus. It’s been quite a grieving time for most of them.”
While Smith would not mention Moore by name, he gave
glimpses to the News-Register of the team’s mindset entering Saturday’s
first-round contest.
“I think this whole week would be, I don’t know, new, in
terms of different.” he said of how the team had scheduled out the week. “We’ve
had a normal week; we’ve tried to keep everything as normal as we can, but not
one day will be normal. There’s something different every day that we’re doing
to help the team get through this.”
Asked where the game-week routine would deviate, Smith said:
“Every day, we’ll have something planned different every day to get through
this. I don’t want to go into great detail with that right now. I will. We’ll
be able to share a little bit more, but I’m trying to keep my comments to a
minimum until we get through those.”
Smith was referring to a team dinner, held in the upper
gymnasium of the Health, Human Performance and Athletics Hall at Linfield on
Wednesday evening. Neither players nor coaches would take questions from media,
and two individuals stood by the door to prevent members of the public from
entering.
He was also referring to Linfield’s memorial service for
Moore, which was held at Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Thursday evening. The media
was invited to participate under strict guidelines put forth by the college.
“Part of the healing process is being together and sharing
that together, and our guys need that,” Smith said.
So, about the game. No. 10-ranked Linfield hosts No. 17
Chapman Saturday at noon, in the Panthers’ first NCAA Division III playoff game
as a program. The Wildcats and Panthers met up on Sept. 13 in Orange,
California, a 21-14 Linfield victory in the first game of the season for both
teams.
Seven hours before Moore’s death, the Wildcats had played
their most complete game of the season in a 59-0 shellacking of NWC co-champion
Pacific at Maxwell Field. Linfield outgained the Boxers 401-144 and forced
three turnovers, using excellent field position (seven drives began in Pacific
territory) to grind down the opposition.
The Wildcats ran the ball 55 times on Pacific, gaining 316
yards (5.7 per carry). Smith noticed the Boxers guarding heavily against the
pass, allowing Linfield its second-best rushing performance of the season.
“I think that our receivers are a great strength of our
team,” Smith said. “Last week, Pacific was really nervous of manning those guys
up, so you saw a whole lot of Cover 2 (defense), a lot of double coverage,
particularly on (Charlie) Poppen, and going to great lengths to try to keep the
one-on-one matchups to a minimum out there. That led to getting gutted pretty
hard with the run.”
The winner of the Linfield-Chapman game will play the winner
of No. 24 Texas Lutheran at No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor on Nov. 29. Should the
Wildcats and the Crusaders both win, Linfield will be going on the road.
An early road trip in the playoffs is considered a
consequence of the Wildcats’ 31-28 loss to Willamette on Nov. 1.
“I think that’s fair,” Smith said. “I don’t have any problem
with that.
“For anybody in the west, you’re looking at having to beat
three of the big four in a row. You’re going to have to beat Wesley,
(Wisconsin-) Whitewater, Union, or Mary Hardin-Baylor. Three of those teams, to
win the whole thing. So why not start it earlier, you know?”
.......................
Remembering Parker
By Paul Daquilante Of the McMinnville N/R/News-Register
11/21/2014
Having just commemorated Parker Moore's life as a model
Linfield College Wildcat, head football coach Joe Smith pointed upward Thursday
night in Ted Wilson Gymnasium and said a final goodbye.
"Well done, Mr. Moore. "Love you Parker."
Moore, a 20-year-old sophomore from Woodinville, Washington,
who played football and served as a resident assistant, was stabbed to death
last Saturday night at the counter of the 7-Eleven store on South Baker Street
across from the main entrance to Linfield.
The assailant, 33-year-old Juventino Bermudez-Arenas, was
shot dead by three McMinnville police officers when they were confronted by the
knife-wielding McMinnville man in the parking lot of the store.
A 1 1/2-hour celebration of life was held Thursday evening
on campus, with about 2,000 people filling the gym, including Moore's parents
and sister. The football team, coaches and support staff sat on the court,
filling about three-quarters of the chairs that were set up.
Members of the Linfield, McMinnville and Woodinville
communities came together to honor a young man who was characterized in so many
ways — man of high integrity, ever the optimist, kind, compassionate, loyal,
extraordinary, amazing, a bulldog, genuine, caring, non-judgmental,
hard-working, engaged and connected, go-getter and simply a special kid.
Linfield President Tom Hellie, Rev. David Massey, Linfield
chaplain and assistant professor of religious studies; Smith, Kyle Chandler, a
student, teammate and best friend; Jeff McKay, associate dean of students and
director of residence life; Elii Fults, teammate, resident life advisor and
friend; David Korb, business professor; Wayne Maxwell, Woodinville High School
head football coach; Ronnie Harris, a friend and associate pastor at the
Woodinville Alliance Church, and Tyler Matthews, the Linfield football team's
chaplain and a former Wildcat quarterback, all spoke glowingly about Moore.
"You made me a better person," Chandler said.
"I love you and I miss you. I'll never forget you. Rest in peace."
Maxwell, some of his Woodinville coaches and a group of
players, many of whom wore their letterman jackets to the service, watched
Linfield's football practice earlier Thursday. The Wildcats host Chapman
University of Orange, California at noon Saturday in an NCAA Division III first
round playoff game at Maxwell Field.
Maxwell stared out at the gather of Linfield coaches and
players and told them he understands that it's going to be difficult to go out
and play. However, he also assured them that if Moore was in uniform he'd be
doing everything possible to get his teammates fired up.
"And he would believe in you," Maxwell said.
The stage was adorned with items that included Moore's
framed No. 35 jersey and his helmet.
Moore was a linebacker for the Wildcats, and Smith announced
that in the years to come, a junior or senior who embodies the qualities that
symbolized Moore will wear jersey No. 35 as a way of honoring him.
The Parker Archie Moore Memorial Fund at the National
Christian Foundation Seattle has been established by the Moore family to
provide scholarship support to a Linfield student who most exemplifies the
character and qualities Moore embodied. Donations can be made by going to
www.linfield.edu/parkermoore.
.........
Let not this devastating act divide us one from another
By the
McMinnville N-R/News-Register Editorial Board in 11/21/2014 edition
The community of McMinnville and Linfield College, once
known as McMinnville College, have forged far richer and more meaningful ties
than is typical for town and gown. For more than a century and a half, they
have been nurturing a close, mutually rewarding relationship.
When one mourns, they both mourn. And both are mourning this
week, as are a pair of heartbroken families.
The events unfolded in quick succession at a convenience
store just across the street from the college’s stately main entrance.
After fatally stabbing a 20-year-old Linfield student, in an
apparently random and unprovoked attack, the 33-year-old assailant was shot to
death in turn by local police. The spasm of uncharacteristic violence claimed
two lives in a matter of minutes.
Unfortunately, some were quick to stereotype, particularly
on social media, where nothing ever seems off limits. And this story was filled
with inviting targets, including guns, violence, crime, police officers, police
shootings, college students, football players, illegal immigration and
residents of Latino heritage. Even townies and underage drinkers made some
lists.
We find nothing productive in group or issue fingerpointing,
particularly at this early stage, where so little is known about what
precipitated either the stabbing or the shooting.
We reject the idea that either the community or the college
let its guard down in terms of public safety. We reject the idea that softness
on crime or laxness on immigration played any role here.
We aren’t ready to condemn the police for shooting someone
who reportedly was in the act of surrendering. We reject, on every level, the
notion put forth by one particularly vitriolic social commentator that police
were “taking out the garbage.”
We are confident the McMinnville police — who have not taken
a life in the line of duty in decades, if ever — were doing their job as they
saw it Saturday night. And we are confident we will learn, in due course, to
what extent they succeeded during the critical and chaotic moments at issue.
We are less confident we will ever learn what prompted the
attack that took the life of a promising young Linfield student, devastating
his Seattle-area family and many friends. We may gain some insights from the
ongoing investigation, but based on what we’ve learned so far, it doesn’t look
promising.
There is no pain like the loss of a child. We understand
that.
And when it comes in response to something as mundane as a
trip to the local 7-Eleven — one we have all taken innumerable times in our own
lives — it becomes all the more wrenching. We extend our deepest compassion.
But it would be a terrible mistake if we allow this tragedy
to drive a wedge between college and community, Latinos and Anglos, or police
and citizens, or be distorted into fodder for rival factions pushing political
and social agendas.
The sequence of events played out among specific human
beings. There were no groups, elements or institutions present.
