I’ve been trying to force myself to post to my blog for the past few day, but I found that every time I sat at my computer, I couldn’t bring myself to write my usual happy-type post. A few days ago, a young man was gunned down at an afterparty at Oklahoma State University. I didn’t know the young man, but I do have a relation to him. Not only was he a student at the University of Oklahoma, he was a member of the Zeta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Zeta Zeta is my home chapter.
Paul was only 20 years old. 20!!! It’s almost overwhelming to think how much life that this young man had ahead of him. He wasn’t even the target of the shooter; the alleged shooter shot randomly into the crowd.
What would make someone shoot people at random? Then again, what would make someone shoot an innocent victim at all?
Another thing that scares me is that if this had happened a few years ago, I could have easily been the one gunned down. I know this is a cliche’, but life really is the most precious thing in the world. I can’t believe how much I take life for granted sometimes. If I were a parent, I would be terrified of letting my child face the horrors of our society. I honestly don’t know how my parents did it.
I will pray for Paul’s family, for the students at the University of Oklahoma, and for the members of my fraternity that are still on campus.
And to Bro. Paul Shanor – you will be missed.
A PHI!!!