Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Execution-style slaying rocks Newark
A photo of victim Dashon Harvey is left at a makeshift memorial on the schoolyard.
NEWARK, New Jersey -- It's a crime that stunned even this community -- Newark, New Jersey -- where murders are all too common. Already this year, 60 people have been murdered.

This past Saturday night, four teenagers were killed execution-style, lined up against a wall and shot in the head. Three are dead and one is clinging to life at a nearby hospital.

Natasha Aerial, 19, is the lone survivor of this senseless attack that took place behind Mt. Vernon Elementary School Saturday night. Her brother, Terrence, and her friends, Iofemi Hightower and Dashon Harvey, are dead.

Family members of the victims are heartbroken. Dashon's father, James Harvey, spoke at a press conference on Monday saying, "Innocent people are dying needlessly, unnecessarily."

Hightower's Great Uncle, John McClain, a pastor and a police chaplain, compares the grisly murders to terrorism.

"The government of the United States is fighting terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan. But we have terrorists right here. Every week someone is shot and killed. What happened Saturday night, if that wasn't a terrorist act, you have to tell me what was," McClain said.

Everyone I've talked to in this city says these were good kids. Three were enrolled at Delaware State University.

Essex County Prosecutor Paul Dow said they are "the best Newark had to offer." She calls the crime a horrible robbery that went terribly wrong. "We're not ruling out gangs or any other theory in this case."

A makeshift memorial is getting bigger as mourners visit the crime scene throughout the day. One group placed balloons. A note was left by a friend, saying "I miss you."

Wanda Slater came to the memorial with her fiance. Her daughter knew Iofemi Hightower. Slater is frustrated by the violence in her community and feels very strongly that members of a local gang committed these murders.

The football team from West Side High, wearing their white and green jerseys, came to mourn their classmates. One team member said he's lost ten friends in the last two years -- all were shot and killed.

-- By Laura Dolan, CNN Producer
Posted By CNN: 12:04 PM ET
  21 Comments
The United States has drained much of its funding in the war in Iraq (over 340 billion dollars according to the Borgen Project). 78% of Americans, including the top corporate leaders of the country, agree that fighting Global poverty is the best way to fight terrorism. Ending starvation globally would cost a mere 19 billion dollars. We have made the wrong decision internationally and we are suffering from it internally.
Posted By Anonymous : 12:53 PM ET
This is a heart felt tragedy that really hit home. I feel that there is a breakdown within the human family,that really should be addressed. There is no compassion for life. Also, when the police put their ear to the street they will get these heartless thug's. My heart goes out to the families of the victim's, I also have experienced this senseless pain. Detroit,MI
Posted By oliver : 1:06 PM ET
This crime has completely shaken me to my core. As a college student this past summer I worked with Low Income, first generation, college bound high school students. However, even with the will most of the kids I worked with have to succeed, outside influences such as gang violence and situations in their neighborhoods often deter them from reaching their goals. Tragedies like this can be avoided if the proper resources are funneled into areas within our country where youth need more direction and opportunities. It's heartbreaking that these 4 students, who were on the right track were victimized. My heart goes out to their families, and their communities.
-Northern California
Posted By Afroz : 1:40 PM ET
Hww very sad! When I read such stories, I feel our country is definitely going down the drain. Families must unite to save and improve their own. The adage that it all begins at home is so very true! Government is not the solution to everything, specially when the dysfunction in family is so great.
Posted By Anonymous : 1:46 PM ET
It is just really hard for me to understand what is happening in our cities these days...day by day we have random murders, break-ins, robberies, increasing gang activity and just an incredible amount of violence. What is driving people these days to commit such heinous crimes? And furthermore, there is an increase in crimes committed by younger people. It is just a very sad situation that seems to be getting worse and we need to take a look at what is happening, why it's happening, and what we can do to change the course of, and eventually lessen violence in our towns.
Posted By Mehroz B. from Northern CA : 2:06 PM ET
It is just really hard for me to understand what is happening in our cities these days...day by day we have random murders, break-ins, robberies, increasing gang activity and just an incredible amount of violence. What is driving people these days to commit such heinous crimes? And furthermore, there is an increase in crimes committed by younger people. It is just a very sad situation that seems to be getting worse and we need to take a look at what is happening, why it's happening, and what we can do to change the course of, and eventually lessen violence in our towns.
Posted By Mehroz B. from Northern CA : 2:07 PM ET
The solution is so simple: no more babies/children, no more humans! Yes, we ARE heading down the drain; but, it's more like down the TOILET!! We are too soft on crime/criminals--we need to be more tougher and emphasize victims over the criminals, not the other way around like it is today! Ok, now back to lunch!
Posted By Sam, Houston, TX : 2:56 PM ET
the problem is:

1) lack of discipline in "permissive parenting"--it's raising generations of snotty, self-entitled airheads with super-egoes who have no value for human life, they only value $$/money & wealth;

2) extraordinarily high birthrates among inner-city minority communities, straining already strained and limited resources; and

3) lack of strict gun control laws, due to the [stupid] hysterical shrieking and hysteria blubbered by the ARA, NRA and gun ownership advocates (bunch of nut cases, ya!).
Posted By Sven, Tulsa, OK : 3:00 PM ET
we have too much freedom in this country, that's the problems

AND, the "it's all about me" messages we are bombarded with throughout our lives in this sicko society and culture of USA.
Posted By Kerry, Denver, CO : 3:02 PM ET
If you can't write proper English (i.e., spelling, grammar, etc.) please don't embarass yourself by posting a "6th Grader" blog-comment.
Posted By Samuel, Teacher in Chicago, IL : 3:03 PM ET
The main cause of much of this inner city violence is a failure of the parents to control their own children. There is a high rate of childhood abandonment by inner city fathers, leaving the mothers to raise and support the children alone.

When parents show their disrespect for the responsibilities which come along in life, the children are going to do the same, creating a culture which does not respect life.
Posted By Joseph Kowalski, North Huntingdon, PA : 5:03 PM ET
Laura/AC360:
The city of Indianapolis is trying to address the city's youth crime by problem ....by raising our income taxes. Investing in more patrol cars, and more beat cops is great, but....throwing money into taxes to hinder violence only goes so far.

The cities/towns of this country need to reinvest in their youth and it is not going to come from our government or its tax hikes.

It is going to come from the parents, community leaders, churches, and those non-profits that are always having fundraisers of some sort or another. But take another look beyond our government and reconsider supporting organizations that support our communities and youth, for example, the YMCA, after-school programs, city park programs, the boy/girls scouts, intramural sport programs, after-school work opportunities, youth volunteerism, mentoring programs, etc.

We have become too dependent on the government to solve all the problems of our neighborhoods. When will communities become more than occupied homes with locked windows and rod iron doors?

I want my community to thrive not just survive.
Posted By Sharon D., Indianapolis, Indiana : 6:22 PM ET
I believe these kids were targeting because they were good kids. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a middle class neighborhood, unfortunately my parents couldn’t afford to send my brother and I to private school like most of our neighbors, so we had to the nearest public school which was your typical inner city school. My brother was an honor roll student and the gangs constantly picked on him and other boys like him (it’s usually harder on the boys). A lot of the violence against innocent bystanders was unintended but some were not. Some were targeted because they were good kids/people and some were targeted at random, in these cases it was usually for gang initiation or for the gang or gang member to maintain their tough reputation.

I understand that sometimes no matter how good of a parent you all, your kids might not turn out the way you raised them but in most cases the parents of these kids are to blame because they are not being taught any morals or are never disciplined. And when juveniles who are known trouble makers commit a violent crime their parents should also be punished.
Posted By Tracy, Chicago, IL : 2:39 PM ET
I believe these kids were targeting because they were good kids. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a middle class neighborhood, unfortunately my parents couldn’t afford to send my brother and I to private school like most of our neighbors, so we had to the nearest public school which was your typical inner city school. My brother was an honor roll student and the gangs constantly picked on him and other boys like him (it’s usually harder on the boys). A lot of the violence against innocent bystanders was unintended but some were not. Some were targeted because they were good kids/people and some were targeted at random, in these cases it was usually for gang initiation or for the gang or gang member to maintain their tough reputation.

I understand that sometimes no matter how good of a parent you all, your kids might not turn out the way you raised them but in most cases the parents of these kids are to blame because they are not being taught any morals or are never disciplined. And when juveniles who are known trouble makers commit a violent crime their parents should also be punished.
Posted By Tracy, Chicago, IL : 2:39 PM ET
Hi Laura,

To me it seems like a gang has moved into that NJ neighborhood and these poor youngsters may have been a target of an newcomer initiation rite to join the gang. I heard that the gang MS has these type of initiation rites.
Posted By Ratna, New York, NY : 5:44 PM ET
ITS ABOUT TIME!!! james harvey is absolutely right. it is about time that these so called "parents" of young offenders are brought into the spotlight. something has to be done and done fast. these parents need to be held accountable for their children. heavy fines, jail time and their pictures on the front page and on cnn is a good start. i am sick and tired of hearing about young people with so much promise and so much to contribute to society are taken from us by the losers of our society. pretty soon all of the good people of this world are going to be wiped out if something isnt done soon. if you have children you must be responsible for everything they do until the age of 21. it should be law. our future depends on this more than any other problem right now. if we end up with a generation of unruly, disrespectful, drug addicted people, what else really matters then? we might as well implode and call it a day.
Posted By lois : 8:28 PM ET
i had already submitted my comment under the name,lois. i forgot to state my residence. nova scotia canada. i hope you still have my comment. just add my address.

the second sentence in my comment was: james harvey is absolutely right.and i ended it with: wee might as well just emplode and call it a day.

thank you
Posted By lois ,nova scotia canada : 10:02 PM ET
I find this most unusual as i dont post my comments. But i this case I will because of the things the victims' father said on 360. First let me say I am truely sorry for the families involved. Now, please let the father you broadcasted that casted blame on the parents of this nation know the number of us who raise our kids properly far outweigh the characters in the news. Im not in denial an yes America does have a crime problem, but if he wants to place blame maybe he should direct that unfair statement to the parents of the people that performed the act. Also, apparently he doesnt understand personal responsibility. my mother raised all her kids to obey the law, but my brother still stole and i still smoked pot. I guess because we didnt listen to what she tried to instill in us make her a criminal. By the way I obey the law, my brother, cant say. So get real. His attack on parents of america is part of the problem. How about a hi five for us that think we are as holier than thou as he does about raising our children. Because appaently he didnt include himself in his comment.
Posted By Ronald Dixon, Killeen, Tx : 10:51 PM ET
Every evening I get sicker and sicker, hearing about children and young adults being killed senselessly.
I watched the father of one the victims speak on the murders and couldn't help crying for him and all the families of the victims. When is it going to be enough? How many more have to die?
Wouldn't it be great if our leaders really cared instead of spending OUR money on what they think is important.
How can we try and make changes in other countries and criticize others when this goes on in our country. This is terrorism for these families!
Posted By C.Gardner, Det. Mi : 11:05 PM ET
So many statements regarding illegal and violent gang activity. Simply, why can't we, as a nation, outlaw gangs? And, if the ACLU wants to put in their two cents, please ask them to do it from a podium located in a known gang's territory.
Posted By Tony, Dandridge, TN : 10:52 AM ET
Can someone tell me why illegal immigrants once they commit a crime are given bail! They are not US Citizens and should not be afforded rights that citizens of the country receive. What is wrong with our system?
Posted By Carol Ferre, Gambrills Maryland : 5:49 PM ET
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