The Sunshine Empire

The Sunshine Empire can be a violent and dangerous place. The eyes of the country were directed here recently and tragically with the murder of young Somer Thompson. I was asked to sign petitions, and join countless Facebook groups started by people wanting to feel outraged for the senseless death of a young life.

Wednesday night another young life was tragically ended on Jacksonville’s northside. 15 year old Brandon Whaley was shot and killed talking to his sister on the phone. My guess is thousands will not attend candlelight vigils for Brandon. I’ve not been asked to join any Facebook groups looking to find Brandon Whaley’s murderer. I’ll be shocked if I see Nancy Grace gravy train in with her television show to breathlessly effort to get to the bottom of this heartbreaking loss. Somer Thompson’s murder was tragic and horrifying. But tragic and horrifying happens every day in this city, and we all should mourn for young Brandon Whaley just as much as we all carried on and on for Somer.