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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

I GUESS IT IS OFFICIAL NOW

 
From Fox 61's Louisa Moller's Twitter Account
 
Hartford police apparently are now confirming that they are investigating Sunday's shooting of a Pastor on Capitol Avenue as a hate crime. According to my sources, the shooter asked the pastor prior to shooting him if he was Gay. I had requested confirmation of the crime being investigated as a hate crime from HPD and I received no response.You can read the original posting here
 
I understand it is an election year and the incumbent doesn't want to be embarrassed by the crime in his City, but it is the reality. HPD should be in the business of providing accurate information , not protecting the Mayor's image.
 
And while I am on it, when was the last time you heard of Mayor Segarra visiting a shooting victim in the hospital  or even attending a vigil after a shooting? Should we expect more of this as we ramp up to Election Day? Or is it only the high profile visible cases that catch Segarra's  attention. Did he attend the vigils or even visit the families of recent homicide victims? I tend to doubt it
 
Doesn't Segarra represent all residents of Hartford, not just those that the TV cameras are following or paying attention to, and shouldn't we also know if someone is targeting a specific group with hatred? Why does it take a Pastor being shot to result in action when a 17 year old murdered with a gunshot to the head and 3 homicides in as many days did not, those crimes  hardly resulted in a response from the Mayor?

Sunday, May 24, 2015

PLEASE DON'T DO THIS AT HOME...OR ANYWHERE ELSE

I think we have all seen it. A parent or grandparent with a toddler riding on their lap as they mow the lawn with a riding mower. It is a recipe for disaster with tragic consequences as the Courant story below details. It looks like fun for the toddler , until they fall and you run over them. Please think twice and find another way to entertain them.

From the Courant:
 Clinton , CT- A 4-year-old boy suffered severe injuries to his right hand after he fell off a riding mower and his right hand went under the mower deck, police said.
The boy was riding on the mower with his father when he slipped off, police said.
The boy was taken by ambulance to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Police are investigating the incident, which was reported at 8:10 p.m. at a home on Menunketesuck Drive.

A GREAT HARTFORD STORY

The link below is to a Courant story about "unsung heroes". This is the type of positive story about Hartford people making a difference that I wish we saw more often. The story speaks for itself so take a few minutes to read it. I have to add that I have had the opportunity to meet one of the sons mentioned in the story and it only helps reinforce the impact a strong mother's and father's presence has in the development of their children into respectful, productive adults. Thank you to Jackie and Chris Allen-Doucot for their efforts and the positive impact they have had on so many Hartford children in addition to their own sons. You can be proud of your efforts and the results

You can read the story here

ONE MORE FOR MEMORIAL DAY

This is a great rendition of our national Anthem by a blind and autistic 16 year old girl. I honestly wonder how many of our youth even know the words or even the history of the Star Spangled Banner

REMEMBER WHY WE CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY

I think far too many people look forward to Memorial Day as the kick off of the Summer season, A day off from work and school, barbeques, and cook outs.

Keep in mind the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day every year. It is about recognizing those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom and also those that have been maimed and disfigured defending our country.

I will never forget the funeral for my father who was a proud US Marine during the Korean Conflict. As the service ended, it was about 4 degrees out at the time of his burial. The Marine color guard  in their dress blues presented the folded flag to my mother and the young marine handing my mother the flag had a tear that ran down his cheek. My dad would have loved that. Once a marine, always a marine, even in death

Tomorrow, remember why we celebrate Memorial Day and thank a veteran for their service to protecting our way of life

(Sorry Mom, I know the video and music will probably give you goosebumps and cause a few tears as it reminds you of the love of your life. Thank you dad for your service and the example you set for us. We miss you)

WAS PASTOR'S SHOOTING A HATE CRIME?

 The plot thickens.

This is the official version from HPD regarding the shooting of a visiting pastor on Capitol Avenue early this morning: the First shooting happened at 932 Capitol Ave. at 0627 hours, documented under HPD Case 15-15639. The victim is identified as Augustas Sealy DOB 8/14/1959. Sealy is a church Pastor from Mass. Sealy is from Hartford and was posting Flags for Memorial Day in the area of Capitol Ave. @ Newton Street when he was shot by unknown assailant(s). Sealy was shot twice in the right leg and once in the upper left arm. He is in surgery at Saint Francis at this time listed as serious but stable. Investigation is active. MCD detectives and Crime Scene detectives are investigating.

According to at least two  independent sources from HPD , speaking on the condition of remaining anonymous, have told me the shooting may actually be a hate crime. The victim, prior to being shot, was asked by the shooter "if he was gay" according to sources.

A request for comment from HPD Deputy Chief Brian Foley has gone unanswered.

Pastor Sealy was sticking flags into the ground alongside the sidewalk at the Church in honor of memorial day, prior to his being approached and shot 4 times.

It does not appear that Pastor Sealy has any readily available criminal history  at this time.


UPDATE: Another source has told me that Pastor Sealy had actually served as pastor of the Capitol Avenue Church for five years before being transferred to another assignment in Shrewsbury MA.recently. He was back today for a celebration of his five years of service in Hartford apparently