Hundreds of Sacramento teens filled the streets mourning the death of 17yr-old Marque Johnson. Often in the silent night a loud cry could be heard by someone crying out "Not Marque, Please not Marque."   Most of the teens cried silently with tears flowing heavily and strongly down their young faces.  Marque is loved and will be missed by many. It was apparent the teen touched many lives. At one point I counted 287 people but then I lost count as many would come and some could no longer stand and were escorted off by friends or family members.   Teens held on to one another carrying teddy bears, candles, pictures and posters each wanting Marque to know they love him.   Someone rode to t

This morning my 17yr-old son walked in my bedroom.  With a low voice he said, 'Mom, I need you to look up something." I knew something was wrong by the sad tone in his voice. My son stood by me and I heard his words,  "They are saying Marque is dead!" He walked in circles and with one breath he said,  "Mom, I don't even know what I am doing right now. I'm lost. How is this possible? Wow, Mom look  for me and tell me they are wrong" I wanted to tell him it's not Marque. But even if not, someone else will bury their 17yr-old son. I sat today hearing the same words I would hear over and over from my older son, when he was 17, and neighborhood youth he went to school with and played with wer

I was sitting in my garage with the garage door open. My friend was at my home using my dryer. It was such a nice evening.  I felt so relaxed. My son asked, 'Mom can I go around the corner to Tony's house." It was approximately 7:30pm. I know Tony and his family and knew he would be okay going to Tony's house. Unfortunately I didn't know what would occur next.  As I talked to my friend I watched my son walk to the corner. I smiled as she said, "He sure is getting big and handsome." I looked at him walking with the cute skip he had as a child and said, "Yes, and he's still my baby." My son turned the corner. As soon as he turned the corner I heard a "POW" It sounded familiar. It sounded

It seems to often we are solving a puzzle without a picture.  When I was a kid, my grandmother Retha used to always give me Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and all sorts of other books and puzzles for Christmas. I appreciated the gifts, but I never knew the value of them. I'd rather have the newest toy or the latest fashion.  But I was a kid. Now I'm an adult continuously reading books and trying to solve a puzzle – oftentimes without a picture.  In addressing issues with our mayor, with youth violence or any of our concerns, I think people from all different walks of life are the puzzle pieces. Some of us are rough around the edges, and some of us are smooth. Opinions, insight an

Editor's note: This article is a response to a recent Sacramento Press story about City Manager Ray Kerridge being an "Invisible Man." It has been said our city manager is not held accountable to the residents of Sacramento. But I disagree. Not only is Sacramento's city manager accountable to the City Council and the mayor of Sacramento, he is also accountable to the public and oftentimes reaches out to them with genuine concern. Prior to meeting Sacramento City Manager Ray Kerridge, I used to think power was in the hands of others. I used to think my opponents were others, and they were often my enemies. President Franklin Roosevelt once said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear its

To be honest, I want to add, earlier in the week or last week I received an email from someone in Gutierrez campaign regarding Treatheway not appearing to the GNNA homeowners meeting and I did not approve of what I read. I don't approve of what Ashby has said also regarding Treatheway not attending. While I am not all that thrilled with Treatheway I admire the fact he is not slinging dirt or accusations against Ashby or Gutierrez. (at least I haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise) To be honest, It;s just I tend to become fond of truthful sheep and not that fond of sly foxes. I mean no disrespect, it is what it is, my opinion and nothing more.

bbbbmer I agree with your post. I believe we get back what we put out- the same way you get it is how you loose it. - If you get something through deceit changes are you'll loose it due to deceit. I truly believe what you wrote that people who seek goals by doing harm have to answer for it. Heck sooner or later what's done in the dark will come to light and all giants must fall. Heck, no one can be bigger than the Creator of the Universe who many of us are crying and praying to. No weapon formed against us shall prosper when we give it to God and labor in the spirit of love and truth Thanks bbbbmer. My son is doing a little better. My brother came by to spend time with him today. This is the first friend he has lost and I hope it will be the last premature death he will know. I went through this with my older son and I don't want to do this again. But it is what it is from pain comes strength and without pain we wouldn't have a warning that something is terribly wrong and action has to be taken. Heck, the pain is merely the symptom the disease has to be tackled. So we must work through the pain. Ah, I can't believe you are far too controlling or impatient to ever have children- lol . I have an aunt who couldn't have children and she's the best aunt always extending her heart to others heck she doesn't have that much patience either- lol but she's a good person. Some people have kids and aren't the best parents some don't have kids and are always there for others. Thanks for being here for me and those like myself. Heck, I've been told I'm controlling and impatient at times too. Only recently have I learned patience is a virtue--lol but there are times I still get ants in my pants. lol Have a great evening.

Sacramento Press and readers: Thank you!!! My heart is overwhelmed with appreciation. Thank you for allowing me to share the tragedy which exists within our community. Thank you for allowing me to share the love which exists within our community. Thank you even if you do not agree or vote it down thank you for respecting the families and not overshadowing their grief and pain like some who comment on the Bee with a mean-spirited comment they think should overshadow the pain a family feels with the loss of their loved one. While some may not always agree with what I write and I may not agree with some the family is not disrespected, you extended respect to this family and showed me the people on this site are of a much higher standard than some who post on another site. Thank you Sacramento Press for giving us a SAFE HAVEN to love one another as we mourn. God bless you. With all my heart I appreciate this family receiving the respect and dignity they deserve in their time of need. You guys are wonderful.

Shaunte, Thank you so very much for commenting. Through your pain you still reached out to say thank you to others. That's beautiful. I need to thank you because after reading your post I learned something. In the beginning when I read articles on the SacBee of teen deaths I'd see mean-spirited comments by some when the family needed love and support. It often overshadowed the family's pain. I saw family members reduced to defending their loved one and attacked every step of the way. It angered me and sometimes still does. I learned today that there's another way to reach out to families. It seems, unintentionally, I created another avenue for family members, myself, our community to work through this pain together. THANK YOU your comment really helps me. When I wrote the article my intent was to only show the families affected but now I see much more can come of it. I can actually reach out and give love and more can see your love. This site is appearing to be a safe -haven for our losses. I'm so glad I can have a dialog with families and friends who have lost a loved one. Their are literally hundreds of teens who have died in Sacramento as a result of youth violence. So many families share the grief that your family is experiencing. Please know that Marque is mourned by so very many and many who did not even know him are also mourning his passing. He's still making friends baby and that's to be admired. If your family reads some of the comments on the Bee site please know they are not a reflection of all the love this city has to offer your family. Don't bother responding to it some appear to feed off the pain of others. I know Darren (I think he's Ann - Marque's aunt's husband) he's the one who told me who each family member was that spoke. Your dad gave a beautiful message to the youth. Your grandmother and aunt (Marque's mother) all gave their hearts to us all at the vigil. I want to thank you and your family for all the love I saw in your family through their overwhelming pain. The fruit did not fall far from the tree, your baby cousin came from a loving loving family. GOD bless you all and thank you for extending your beautiful heart to us!!

Thank you so much Chaliante. I love you too even though I haven't met you either. Do you know that's what unconditional love is? Wow, you love me unconditionally. That's beautiful some adults I know haven't yet mastered unconditionaly love-- lol That's what makes love more powerful. Your post is absolutely beautiful. Your young heart overwhelms me. My condolenses, heart, prayers and love is extended to you. As soon as I learn of the funeral I will post it for you. Wow, Marque was only 17yrs young and a big brother to you and your heart is so big I am blown away by your comment and by all the wonderful friends Marque has. May God be with you and your family and your friends. I hope I will be able to one day meet you. Stay safe and please be careful of your surroundings, talk with a caring adult, minister, physican anyone, even me to help you through your grief. The 2 yrs you've known Marque could feel like a lifetime to someone who possess so much love. Don't dwell in pain your memories will be your joy. And baby, never loose the love you possess. I can tell by reading your comment you are filled with love. God is love, God is good. Take care and God bless you.