Darrent Williams loses his life in another senseless killing (blames Williams for having handgun)

The Mercury News ^ | 1-1-2007 | David Ramsey

[raybbr]

DENVER - Denver Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams had been dead of at least one gunshot wound for 14 hours Monday evening and the makeshift shrine was still taking shape.

After a New Year's Eve party, Williams was riding in a long, white H2 Hummer limousine when he and two others were hit by a drive-by shooter and the limo stopped near the corner of Speer Boulevard and 11th Avenue in Denver.

Barely a block away, eight candles, five stuffed animals, a Broncos jacket, three Broncos hats, a ticket stub to Sunday's 49ers game, flowers and a poster - with a pen to sign and leave messages - were offered as reminders of a 24-year-old player who brought excitement and the promise of greatness to Broncos fans.

"It's a shock," Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said before dawn Monday morning. "When someone starts the conversation, `Darrent Williams has been shot....'"

Monday evening, Denver police were looking for a white SUV, perhaps either a Tahoe or Suburban. The driver pulled up next to the limo as it moved north on Speer and shots were fired from the SUV, police say.

[raybbr]

We often turn to euphemisms when we talk about handguns. They protect us from evil, we say, and their use is guarded by our Constitution.

But handguns also offer a horrifically convenient way to place someone - in this case a bubbly Denver Broncos cornerback - 6 feet under. The handgun that left blood in the snow and sent Williams to the morgue didn't protect anyone.

No mention of the guns that killed Williams. No mention that those guns were probably illegal.

Blaming Williams for his own death because he carried a handgun to protect himself.

Someone should ask this nitwit of a writer if Williams would still be alive if he'd had no handgun.

[Red Badger]

This writer assumes the handgun to be the culprit..........

[BenLurkin]

If there weren't handguns, these types would be hacking away at each other (and us) with machetes.

[VRWCmember]

The handgun that left blood in the snow and sent Williams to the morgue didn't protect anyone.

No mention of the guns that killed Williams.

I would guess that the line about the "handgun that left blood in the snow and sent Williams to the morgue" is referring to the gun used to kill Williams, since it is the only one that could reasonably be described as havinb "sent Williams to the morgue". But then again, I am attributing some level of reason to the writer. If the writer is implying that Williams' own gun somehow sent him to the morgue by failing to protect him, then the writer is simply an idiot.

[NonValueAdded]

This writer assumes the handgun to be the culprit..........

........when it is obvious that the SUV had a hand in it........... :)

[kromike]

Agreed. That's what the gun-grabbers won't acknowledge; the problem is not the weapon but rather the person wielding it.

Then again, gun-control has never been about controlling guns, but controlling people.

[E Rocc]

From what I've read, the police haven't identified what type of gun was the murder weapon.

I'd bet the killer was a felon that wasn't allowed to own any weapons at all in any case.

Classic "blame the victim" barbarastreisand.

-Eric

[Izzy Dunne]

when it is obvious that the SUV had a hand in it

Are you suggesting a conspiracy between the gun and the SUV?

[Red Badger]

Nothing worse than an armed SUV going postal!......

[Red Badger]

Machetes?.....Is it illegal to carry a sword?......

[speedy]

Let's not forget the key roll played by the street in this crime. Were it not for the paved street, the SUV and the gun could never have pulled off their caper.

[NonValueAdded]

Well, the SUV was a victim here too. I'd say the bullet holes therein are evidence that it was SUV-icide and the occupants were merely collateral damage. The Hummer had had enough being forced to transport all manner of human flotsam and decided to end it all that night.

[Sooth2222]

"Denver police were looking for a white SUV, perhaps either a Tahoe or Suburban. "

The white SUV is considered armed and dangerous?

[speedy]

roll=role. Sheesh, Happy New Year for sure.

[sportutegrl]

If it is a white Bronco, then OJ done it.

[RayStacy]

Am I missing something here? When I link to the story, I see NOTHING about Williams having a gun. Not a word.

[Beagle8U]

"The white SUV is considered armed and dangerous?"

White SUV kills black man...hate crime!/ sarc.

[gorush]

They were discussing Williams on Sportscenter this morning. Under the image of his girlfriend was the caption "Mother of Darrent Williams' Children"

[steve8714]

The killer may in fact be a juvenile, that's pretty common in these incidents.

[Youngman442002]

Its amazing to me the white washing of this incident...it was a gang drive by...I am sure both occupants...yes ..even the Bronco was a gangbanger....when you glorify Ganster Rap and gangbanging its not a tragedy..its work product...

Oh and I heard some reporter already use the Assalt weapon line..

Tragedy..no

stupidity...yes..

but that is our society today..we glorify sports..and we beat up the "geeks"