I Knew The Last Sniper Victim (Vanity)

mafree | 10/12/02 | mafree

[mafree]

Fellow FReepers please pray for me for I am stunned and very hurt right now. I'm not a crying person but it's hard to keep the tears away right now.

The reason is because I just looked on a FR thread and saw that the last person killed is someone I know. His name was Ken Bridges and he lived in Philadelphia. He leaves behind a wife and children, and many business associates who got a lot from his vision and leadership.

Ken was a Wharton grad, worked in corporate America, and became a successful Amway distributor. He left that and started a Black network marketing company called the MATAH network with a fellow Wharton grad named Al Wellington. It was a growing company with distributors all over the country.

I must say this right now- many FReepers would have disagreed with Ken ideologically and politically. He was a strong Black Nationalist type who supported reparations and celebrated Kwanzaa. Yet, many who disagreed with him liked and respected him. He was an intelligent, jovial, energetic, fun guy who kept smiling and was really devoted to his family. He was just an extremely likable person.

I first met Ken two years ago and would see him at various meetings and conventions around the country. I last saw him in August. I can't believe he is gone and my heart is very sad for his family. I will miss him and pray that he rests in peace. May God comfort and care for his loved ones.

[mafree]

Prayers for the families of the other victims of this sniper too.

[patent]

My condolences, may he rest in peace.

patent

[leadpenny]

I'm sorry to hear this, mafree. The politics don't matter. Hope you find comfort in the replies to come.

[Focault's Pendulum]

You are correct in that I probably wouldn't agree with him on issues....I would, however, defend his right to disagree with me. Condolences.

[freesia2]

Prayers for your comfort, Mafree, and for this man's family, who must cope with this senseless loss.

[mhking]

My condolences and prayers go with you my friend. If there's anything you need, you know where I am...

[mafree]

Thanks for your condolences. It will help me as I break the news to some others who knew him.

[mafree]

Thanks to you guys too.

[mhking]

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[spunkets]

Sorry to hear this. My condolences.

[FlyVet]

No doubt I wouldn't have agreed with his views, and would have had to walk away after a few minutes of arguing with him. But, this is just wrong, the sniper has to go down. Sorry you lost a friend, this fiend is sick.

[Little Bill]

My prayers are with his family, politics don't matter when you are dead. May the Lord look and judge him as a man with faults, as we all have faults. Recieve him if you so judge, may his soul rest in the lap of our Savior. Amen.

[swarthyguy]

POlitics doesn't matter. He's dead. Hope they catch the killers and you, his friends and family find some solace.

[Otta B Sleepin]

I'm so sorry, mafree. What a shock. Praying for you, Ken's family, and the families of the other victims.

[Amelia]

I'm so sorry for your loss, mafree. In the picture they showed on TV, Mr. Bridges looked like such a vibrant person.

Prayers for you and for the families.

[Nam Vet]

Prayers for him and his family. I am sorry for your grief my friend. We all grieve for a fellow American.

Nam Vet

[I_be_tc]

My heartfelt sympathies. Didn't he leave behind six children? So sad. Stunning for the poor family. Thoughts and prayers for all of them.

TC

[MJY1288]

My prayers and condolences for Ken Bridges family and friends. My heartfelt prayers for you as you deal with this horrific loss.

Ken was a man just minding his own business and was taken away from his wife and 6 children for absolutely no reason by this cold blooded killer.

May God rest his soul while we bring his killer to justice.

God Bless,

MJY

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Prayers for you and the families of the victims. May G-d help us find this (these) snipers and bring them to justice and give us all strength and courage in these very trying and stressful times we are living in.

[nicmarlo]

This is a senseless tragedy. My condolences to you, his family, and his friends (and to all the others who have lost their loved ones this past week). Death is painful enough without having to deal with a shooting death, the cause. Unfortunately, I know this too well. Time does heal all wounds, but we never forget their smiles, their touch upon our lives. May God comfort you.