Ahmir

 This young man I knew lost his life last night - Ahmir Tuli was my next door neighbor along with his mother, Preeti, who is a neighbor and a friend. We met when he was a youngster and I’d watched him grow up. He was a good kid. Still a teen in the true sense but kind, laughing and considerate, Smart and learning the world

He was shot in the head by a man who wasn’t permitted to carry a gun anymore, who had been thrown out of Preeti’s restaurant for arguing with other customers, and came back, argued with him and shot him in the head.

He was his mother’s pride and she loves him more than any teenager can understand. Our hearts break for him and for her, her loss and her family’s loss. 

The senselessness of his murder leaves me in shock. Impossible to fathom how a single bad human can in an instant change the world for him and his family so ruthlessly, so impossible to fathom. I can only slightly understand the true impact of the loss. And one hopes they catch the murderer, who is known. And he hopefully pays for his crime. But it doesn’t bring Ahmir back. 

I ask that you leave condolences for his Mom and family, if you leave condolences. I felt the need to write about this but it’s not about me. I’d like to go on a diatribe about guns and who should have them. I’d like to truly scream and convey my anger. Another time.

He didn’t deserve this. Nobody does, but he especially didn’t. His Mom didn’t deserve this. Nobody does, but especially not her. 

We need to love each other, not this. I’m a private person religiously, but my prayer for him and his mother and family are public tonight. May they find peace and think of him with love and eventually without so much grief. And in the meantime, may they find comfort in each other and their faith.