Remembering Stephen Tyrone Johns
Two days ago, District residents expressed out their anger/disbelief/outrage over the U.S. Park Police shooting of Trey Joyner. Yesterday, everyone kept refreshing Twitter, the Post, We Love DC, whoever for news about the tragedy that had unfolded at the Holocaust Museum when a racist-old-man from Annapolis named James Von Brunn opened fire.
By tonight, I admit I had basically moved on. I ate dinner. I watched bad TV. I listened to this awesome new Fiery Furnaces song.
Then I stumbled on the Facebook page dedicated to the slain security guard Stephen Tyrone Johns. There will be some other tragedy today, tomorrow or this weekend. Yesterday morning, a woman died in a fire in NE. At around 5 p.m. yesterday, two people were shot at 1st and M Street NW. It didn't take long for people to add their crazy shit to the list of crazy shit everyone gets outraged over.
But before you get outraged over the next big thing. Please read the pages devoted to Stephen Tyrone Johns.
Here's a sample:
"Im pretty sure he was the same guard who welcomed me after I picked up my cell phone from the security check today...looked like he was a good man. I will miss that welcome dearly. The other man who was working with him eariler also helped me get out of the second floor after the shooting. I am glad he was still around to help me evacute."
"I worked beside him at the Holocaust Museum. He was a wonderful, brave man, and he will be deeply missed. RIP Big John"
"Just saw his young son interviewed in front of his house on ABC Nightline. Crushing. I hope a fund is established for the family."
"I only missed the shooting by minutes and showed up for my shift as security was just starting to seal off the streets and asked me to help direct people away. Johns was a nice man and I can't believe he's dead in the 24 hours since I last saw him."
"Stephen I remember you every morning helping me when I came in to work, bumbling through the scanner with my wheelchair, always there to help....always there with a smile. Always helping with the groups of children visiting. I will miss you friend... and know that you are now at peace...may my prayers forever be with you and your family."
"I remember you from my first time to the museum a few weeks ago. You were helping take care of a holy place. God bless!"
"I remember Mr. John's face from my visit to the museum a few months ago."
"Big John, I'm gonna miss your smiling face, you always greeted us employees with a smile that I will truly never forget, when I root for the skins this fall, I will think of you, whenever I enter the sacred halls of my Museum, I will think of you, may the Lord in Heaven take you into his precious arms, he truly has a soldier in his army."
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2:16 am
May his memory prove a blessing - all comfort and blessings to his family.
Thank you for not letting this hero go by the wayside in the tide of evil against which he fought.
5:23 am
Its sad that Mr. Johns had to go this way.
8:27 am
My thoughts are with the family of Stephen Johns and my prayers are that his soul find eternal rest.
And with the families of the doctors and health workers murdered by anti-choice activists.
"Home-grown" terrorists are the real danger, but the 100,000 or so armed and dangerous right-wing extremists, the pool from which these cold-blooded killers emerge cannot be "profiled" the way Muslim and Arab-Americans are.
Why, hell, I could be targetted for speaking my mind on this and no one will protect me.
The neo-Nazi ideology is free to roam the internet and the media and groups around the country, recruiting and spreading their message.
They are not targetted by the feds because (a) they might be useful when things get rough among the poor, a d (b) they are a core of the voter base that Republican and conservative Democrats don't want to alienate.
8:42 am
Another victim of the right-wing homegrown American Taliban "Christian" terrorist movement - RIP, Mr. Johns. Will the fascist FBI ever take on these homicidal lunatics? or will the FBI continue to ignore these racists?
What about the Maryland State Police? They were so eager to spy on peace activists they probably had no time to spy on true threats to the nation's security like this cretin who killed this good man yesterday.
Obama & the politicians use this tragedy to bolster their popularity, but are too cowardly to take on these racist misogynist criminals. When the same law enforcement tactics are used against the right-wing criminals as are used against Al Quaeda, wake me up, it'll be a new day in America.
8:50 am
Thanks CP for putting a human face on the latest victim of hateful terrorists. And thanks to the other security guards who stopped the murderer before he got any farther.
9:42 am
I pray for Stephen Tyrone Johns family and friend that all will look to our Higher Power at this time of sadness
and that HE will calm the soul.
Ms DeBorah D Johns
2:32 pm
It is saddest yet when the brave give their lives so that the weak and misguided can make a foolish point.
I hope Stephen and his family find peace.
Thank you kindly for your sacrifice… Stephen you saved many lives.
2:52 pm
Wishing peace, comfort, and healing to the Johns Family. May souls be blessed in the sacrifice of Tyrone Johns. May All folks following whatever extremist/hate groups consider their actions, so the life of Tyrone not be in vain.
I pass the museum every day and will now be reminded that life is fleeting and precious, so we must do the best we can, to help those while we can. Tyrone like many of us went to work yesterday with an expectation to return home to be with family. While Tyrone wasn't granted that chance, throughout all the blogging, make sure you spend time with folks who mean the most to you. Tomorrow is not promised, so make it count TODAY!
No politicizing or preaching here, just prayer. Pray also for the von Brunn family and all others who may identify with James' ideology.
11:15 pm
Jason I'm sure you will change your tune when you find out the guard that shot von brun is retired MPD