What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted?

While New York City had slightly fewer homicides in 2011 than in 2010, statistics cannot do justice to many parents who unwittingly and shockingly find themselves a part of and increasingly growing group-parents of murdered children. While violent crimes seem to take a lull during the winter months, as the seasons change, so is the increase in crime most notably homicides. Grief-stricken parents are only left with memories as they struggle to cope with reality to what could have been of their son or daughter's life.

What makes the pain and grief of violently losing a child almost unbearable is the wanton disregard for life and the compounded selfish and senseless nature of the act itself. 13 year old Annie Fryar was gunned down by her own brother Steven Murray as she slept in her bed while critically wounding his mother, Christine Fryar. According to reports, Murray shot and killed his sister while wounding his mother because his mother was attempting to throw him out of her apartment for not contributing to the household and becoming disruptive. Residents of the Polo Grounds Houses in Harlem were rudely awakened by the early morning incident as the suspect gave chase with police who countered back, with a barrage of 84 bullets injuring Murray. Christine Fryar was taken to Harlem Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The shocking and horrific nature of the crime only heightens to more questions and few answers as this heartbroken family must now lay this child to rest.

The sad and regrettable truth is that many more children like Annie Fryar are paying the ultimate price of the foolish, careless decisions of another. Why is it that in the spring and summer months homicides inexplicably increase? Why must parents make the choice between childhood freedoms and having to become virtual prisoners at the expense of society? How many more community leaders must we see taking a stand against gun violence invariably risking their own lives while saving others? How long will we stay anesthetized to what we see until it happens to someone we know or happens in our own backyards a little too close to home for our liking? What becomes of the brokenhearted? Our children are crying from the killing fields.