The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
It's been two years since police shot and killed 21-year-old James "Gucci" Dennis, but the pain is still fresh for his family and friends, they said at a vigil in his honor Saturday night.
About 50 people gathered to remember Dennis and place candles on the Stanwix Square curb where he died Oct. 31, 2007. That night, police said they found him shooting at an unknown target and shot him after he pointed his gun in their direction. A grand jury investigation resulted in no charges against the officers.
"We have no justice and no peace," Dennis' mother, Sharon Gorham, said at the vigil. "It's so sad my son had to go like that."
Residents of the neighborhood off Newtown Road where Dennis died described him as honest, respectful and a role
model. They said he was defending himself the night he died.
"You live by the sword, you die by the sword... but he didn't live like that," said Deborah "Sunshine" Moore, 47. "He looked out for everyone, young and old."
Mike Dennis, 29, said he misses having a little brother.
"Every day I think about him. Every day I hurt about him," he said.
"I just wish I could get him back."
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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Why is this such a big news
Why is this such a big news story? Of course our heart goes out to families who have lost loved ones. But where is the story about the Officers who went to work that day to try to protect the citizens of Norfolk and had to make the split second decision to use deadly force? Those Officers will have to deal with the trauma knowing that they HAD to stop a threat which ended up taking someones life. No matter how much training you may have this still will engulf your life, no matter how justified! Maybe the Officers should just stop patrolling and let the citizens work it out themselves?
Mr. Angel
Look, when the police tell you to drop the gun, then it might be a good idea to drop it (especialy if you are defending yourself). These guys get paid a miniscule amount of money for the job they do. Their number one priority that night was to go home alive and not second guess what a thug with a gun was doing, especially when he pointed it at them. I personaly know both of these officers and they are both top notch. If you think the slum of Stoney Point is hurting, think about how these human officers feel. By the way I have personaly arrested drug using, gun totting robers right in front of where "Gucci" passed.