My name is Jennifer D. Feliciano and I am currently attending Skyline College. I am a student of Karen Wong in English 846. She has referred me to you, and I am asking if it is possible for the following essay to be published in The Skyline View:
We hear fatal events on television, newspapers, and on the radio most of the time in our daily lives. But what if you heard about a fatal incident from a friend, that a friend of yours was in a severe injury? At first, you wouldn’t believe it, and then you realize it is no joke, and in an instant you feel great sorrow and worry. What would you do and/or hope for? One day you’re with a friend, the next day you can never be with that friend ever again.
Early Sunday morning on Jan. 12, 2003 around 3:00 a.m., Raymond Gardner of Pacifica, 22, was shot in the back of the head when traveling with three other friends, up north from San Jose on westbound I-380. Gardner as a passenger of a white Infiniti, was riding with A. Hsieh who honked at the white Chevrolet Tahoe that was swerving lanes. Along with R. Gardner and A. Hsieh were J. Chin and S. Lutton, who was driving a blue Acura Integra. The white Chevrolet Tahoe opened fire at both cars, and had not realized Gardner was shot. according to the Redwood City Daily News, “the three San Francisco residents were arrested on murder charges after a high speed chase.”
This current event impacts society today in many ways. The people who were included in the event may be traumatized, especially A. Hsieh, who was with Gardner at the time of the scene all the way through; family and friends of Gardner may have a difficult time to accept that he has passed away and to struggle to move on. Society will be impacted because each year the number of deaths of youth is rising, and the perpetrators are also young.
An event like this is very important because it effects most of family and friends of the victim(s), the perpetrators, and society. It is not only an accident, but a learning experience. This event displays that certain people in this world are becoming more ignorant in the use of handguns day to day. Road rage is not the way to solve road arguments. Most importantly, stay in contact and love your family and friends, do what you can do with them now, because there may be no later.
In conclusion, I pray that the accusers will learn a lesson from this event and do no harm. I, Jennifer Feliciano, a friend of R. Gardner, hope for the best of his family and girlfriend to overcome this fatal catastrophe, and that may his soul rest in peace. As dreadful as it may seem, R. Gardner would want his family and also his friends to accept that he is not physically present, to stay strong, and to move on together.
Jennifer D. Feliciano