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Brewton Man Shot To Death Near Jay
February 28, 2010
A Jay man is behind bars charged with shooting and killing an 18-year old Brewton man early Saturday morning in the Berrydale community near Jay.
Robert Franklin Floyd, 21, of Jay, is charged with an open count of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
The arrest stems from an incident that occurred shortly after midnight last night at Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road. A party was being held at Floyd’s residence in which numerous subjects were in attendance, according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Since the shooting, racial tensions have grown amid rumored threats of retaliation. Several business in the area closed early, and Jay Hospital was reportedly put on lockdown
During the bonfire party, a vehicle occupied by four people from Brewton arrived Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road.
According to Haines:
“The subjects exited the vehicle and a verbal altercation occurred between Floyd and one of the subjects. Floyd stated that the subjects were there uninvited. Floyd requested that the subjects leave the premises, and words were exchanged between Floyd and the subjects from Brewton. The subjects refused to leave, at which time Floyd allegedly pushed one of the black males and told them once again to leave.
“Floyd alleges that at that time, the black male which he pushed pulled out a handgun. Floyd then ran to his truck which was parked nearby. Floyd then retrieved a rifle from his truck and stated that he heard gunshots being fired from the area in which the black male subject’s vehicle was located. Floyd also alleges that he saw a muzzle flash coming from their direction.
“Floyd then fired multiple shots from his rifle towards the direction of the vehicle as it was leaving. The vehicle left the scene and Floyd returned the rifle to his truck. After a short time, Floyd decided to contact the Sheriff’s Office to make them aware of the situation. When deputies arrived, they spoke with Floyd and gained the above mentioned information. Numerous rifle shell casings were located at the scene.”
One of the Brewton residents, Getyron Lopez Benjamin, 18, was shot as the vehicle fled the scene. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead.
“The other occupants of the vehicle were interviewed and stated that they did not observe any of their vehicle’s occupants produce a firearm. No firearm has been located as of the time of this release. It is also not known if Benjamin was the subject that Floyd had alleged brandished the handgun,” Haines said.
Floyd is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
As investigators remained at the scene Saturday afternoon, what appeared to be beer kegs were still around picnic table in a field near Floyd’s residence. Homemade cardboard “No Trespassing” signs had been posted at the property.
Benjamin is a 2009 graduate of T.R. Miller High School in Brewton.
Comments
307 Responses to “Brewton Man Shot To Death Near Jay”
Comments on this story are now closed. In 300+ comments, most everything that could be said has been stated.
If you choose to read the comments below, do so with an open mind. You’ll find there’s a lot of hatred and, at the same time, a lot of understanding in the communities involved.
As the comments continue on this article, nothing new is really being said, and many, many comments we are unable to post due to foul language and various threats.
We made the decision to allow these comments to run for a couple of days for one simple reason — the only conversation taking place between the people of the two communities (Brewton and Jay) was here. Some conversation is better than none.
Again, we will point out that the only official information released to date on this crime is in the story above and in the press release linked above.
We will continue to follow this story and post any other information as it becomes available.
I will say this… There was a life lost. Whether it be because he was black. Whether it be because he was uninvited. Whether it be for whatever it was. A LIFE WAS LOST. I think that black ppl are mad because he is black and he was killed by a white guy under these circumstances. I think that whites dont understand because it was not their child that was lost. i also think that everyone has a little racism in them. Whether that be because of the way you were raised or because of the way you have been treated by the way that ppl were raised. I think that racism had a lot to do with it. I think that black, white, brown red, yellow… we have all come tooooooo far for things like this to happen. It doesnt hurt so bad until it hits so close to home. And it hurts….it could have been my brother it could have been my cousin it could have been anyone that I loved and it hurts. There is nothing that can been done that already isnt being done. Yes i do believe that the guy should go to jail for the rest of his life because knowing or not knowing he took someones life. If he wasnt racist then why didnt he want the guys at his party? Ppl are saying alot of hateful things on here, and not thinking that maybe his mother brother sister is looking at the comments. If its not about race then ppl we are not proving our case. Ive cried a million tears for Gus its so sad when anyone dies young ESPECIALLY someone you know. And yea I am mad as hell at the guy who did it but making racist comments on a website that is being seen by most ppl both families included isnt what was up. What is it proving? I made a comment the other day and I guess it was the racism coming out in me that no ALL white ppl are not racist and yes he is the only white person that pulled that trigger but there are alot of white ppl that are happy that he did and I have been proven right. And black ppl white would we want to put someone thru the same thing that someone we love went thru? Yes like I said i hope he goes to jail for life but I think that a black guy that does the same thing to a white guy should too. That is the non racial part of me. I have white friends…white family…and a white step child… but its not easy to forget what I have been thru with white ppl. I am not defending the ignorance of ppl that think that revenge is the answer. IT IS NOT!!!! Killing ppl that kill ppl is not teach us not to kill guys. It is 2010 we need to come together as a ppl. If you are racist whether it is in your home or not you need to try to do better. Dont lose sight of what is important someone died bc of stupidity and more stupidity will only land more ppl dead. I am praying for the Benjamin and the Lane family. I am also praying that God has mercy on “Robby”. He does need our prayers because the devil had control of him. Whether thru hate or not but i pray that he releases him and he assumes responsibilty for his actions. To the Floyd family…may God be with you HE WILL SEE YOU THRU IF YOU JUST BELIEVE. This has taught me a big lesson… Let something good come out of a bad situation…..Not more bad things
seem like now we are getting on the same page.what happen to love thy neighbor,my grandgather is over 70+ years old and majority of his friends are white people.they sit at each other table and drink coffee. help with each other farm,go fishing together..they are like the best of friends and i have never once heard them comment on black and white.i was raised not to harm or hate anyone.if you cant help anyone y harm them.on my job we have white people that are simply the BEST,they will give the shirt off their back,and we are the same with them,it doesnt matter what color you are the problem is we cannot give along and we should be able to to..jay,,,yeah everybody black has heard of the ole saying about jay..im not sure if it true or not but if their is any truth to the only people that can fixed that is them or die and go to hell hating some one for nothing,im black and i have said i would date a white man,indian,mexican as long as he treats me right,where did this color bull start from….its sad to think that black people are beneath every one else bc that is not true,we have accomplished some of the same things as any other race if not more…but that is besides the point..we all accomplished anythang if we pull together,i know alot of you have read the last 2-3 statement and said to yourself oooh i was wrong for saying or thinking like that..those are some one kids,,what if that was me or my child or brother or sister,,,i promise you wouldnt be able to take it,,this is a hard situtation..just like other deaths,,no mom should or want to wish on no one..i dont know that reason why the trigger was pull i just wish it didnt hit this young man and went in the woods somewhere..my 5 year old comes old each day talking about his little friends in kindergarden..some white some black and he so happy that he has them as his classmates..and that is the way it should be…looking at what was written on the blog is the reason why we cannot expect no better from our kids..what ever is in your is also in your kids..hate,,hatred,,cruel words,violent acts,,threats,judging,,being prejudice,pointing the figure.Our kids see and hear this and take it all in and then when they do something like this what can we say..Find it in your heart to say and do kind things and if you cant do that dont say it all.Words can tear a person life to pieces.I have heard the stick and stone story but that is so untrue.Words stick with people,the good and bad.I cant blame the person that invited these young men to go to the party..IT was a party,im sure their was others that was there that was not invited.All things happen for a reason,just keep the faith.To the mom that lost her son,I am so sorry this has happen,words cannot express how so many people feel about what happen.No matter how hard things may get with the your lost just look to the hills,he will help you and guide you thru this.For the parents of the shooter,pray that he did not mean to kill this young man and that this is not a racist issue and also look to the hills.White or Black come together and Pray,if any one is out for revenge what is that going to solve.Just another grieving mother,it still want bring benjamin back.Since i see i have a couple of people that are on my level i want be commenting anymore about this.This has just taken a toll on me,I cannot believe we live in a world that GOD has given us and people are so cruel about it.I will say i will review other comments and hopefully there will be some praying people on here instead of arguing and judging.
Jgirlie your an Idiot. How in the world could you call someone who would kill someone a peacemaker? Gus didn’t even have a gun on him that night it was one of the people he was with who just showed off the gun after they were verbally assaulted by Mr. Redneck. If the kid who was had the gun was shot it would still be murder becaue of all the stories I’ve heard, not counting the ones Ignorant people have posted on this site, There was not a shot fired until Floyd shot at the Black kids car AS THEY WERE LEAVING. I don’t think that you can say he was acting out of self defense or trying to get trespassers of his property if they were leaving the property as ordered. I didnt mean to sound to harsh in my comments but I knew Gus and he was a good guy. He might’ve made some bad decisions but those decisions don’t make him a bad person. He was a good guy with a great sense of humor. I’m very sad he’s dead and it really makes me mad that some people are saying its his own fault to get killed or he deserved to die. There is no excuse fo rkilling someone who isn’t trying to harm you or someone you love.
It’s a sad time for both sides Life is about choiceswe make good ones and bad ones but we have to live with the one’s we make good or bad .May God be with both sides of the family for God is who they need right now .Not all this other stuff.
Wow. It is so incredibly embarrassing to even say I’m from the tri-city area. Some of these comments posted are just ridiculous. Instead of placing blame, and coming up with excuses, for either of the guys, we should all be saying prayers for all friends and family involved. No amount of excuses or speculation is going to reverse what happened that night. All there is to do now is let the law handle it from here, and be there for the families and loved ones of all that were involved. Just try to put yourself in their position. Nobody would want to hear that their child has been killed, just as well, nobody would want to hear that their child has taken the life of another. How would you feel? And how would you feel if the majority of the comments posted were full of hatred, instead of sympathy? I can’t imagine that Gus would want it to be this way. Nothing good has ever come from hatred, it will only make a bad situation worse.
With that being said, my thaughts and prayers go out to both families, and all that were involved.
You know I would hate to see someone going to prison because they were taking up for me. I work there and I know what goes on. So I hate to see a young guy going in there. I hate this happen and I hope and pray for both familes
ANN I AGREE,,TURNED THAT ANGER AND HATE INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE AND WE ALL CAN GET ALONG
Lets all think about these young mens families and not bash anymore. It is so hurtful. I am sure that both of those young men did not wake up that morning thinking that they would get killed or kill someone. It is very true that America is full of racism rather, your black, white, Mexican or Indian. It does not matter what community your from. It is everywhere even in BREWTON. I can say this because I have lived in both towns. The sick thing is that everyone is saying some really hurtful and nasty things. Lets all put your nasty thoughts into prayer to get both of these families through this horrible time in their lives. It is horrible for both sets of parents. One has to bury their son and the other gets to set back & watch as their son goes to prison for the rest of his life. Both parents our helpless here and it really breaks my heart. When you raise your children you raise them to the best of your knowledge. You never imagine or would want to image what both of these parents are living now! It has nothing to with how you have raised your child. It has to with circumstance and the choices you take as an individual. You know right from wrong rather you was the one who pulled the trickier or the one who talked some individuals into going to a party. That you know they where not welcome. If it was out of wanting to go have a good time or to make someone jealous. It is your choice in the end and as a parent we hope that you make the right choices in life. Unfortunately, there where five young people who made a wrong choice that night. All we can hope for is that the four that are alive can all make peace with what happen that night. I am sure there is one that is really having a hard time with this. The shooter for whatever reason he had. It has to be hard to make that choice. I pray for all that was involved in this horrible tragic invent! May God Bless you all and help you find peace with this and not hate.
Most people don’t get this; but it not one no not one Black person who would venture off to a party by another race uninvited. The Black person would crash a party in his hometown but never a strange area. That’s not good looking out. So, they were invited but obviously not by the shooter. Another point is that, they did not have a gun; nor would they start a fight in at a all White party… that’s suicidal. No, they were asked to leave and when they saw the young man was serious, the Black young men decided to do just that. Another point – hmmmmmm…. was he just showing off and did not realize the outcome. Shooting at a car leaving…hmmmmm. Why not shoot the boys when they were out of the car. Did he have to go get a gun and come back which is why he shot at a moving target? Hmmmmmm– that’s premeditated. Just curious!
RESPECT begets RESPECT. I have spent many hours in Greer’s grocery store. At certain times of the month, some black people will come in to shop. NO WHITE PEOPLE EVER do or say anything. Nobody bothers them. EVER.
That’s real funny by the way “racial tension” in Jay. WHAT RACIAL TENSION?? A couple of blacks show up on PRIVATE PROPERTY and are told to leave? SO WHAT?? I’m racist on my own property. That’s my right.
In public, I’m your best friend until you do something that makes me dislike you. I don’t care WHAT color you are!
If I pulled up at ANY party (invited or not) and was told to leave, I would freaking leave! If they called me racial names, so be it. Free speech in this country isn’t dead yet. Someone tells you to leave, DO IT! Don’t worry about what name they might be calling you.
WHO CARES if they are racist?? WHO CARES??? The blacks were at the white’s property, not the other way around. It’s a matter of trespassing, not racism. Jay’s a fine town. And, if people CHOOSE to be RACIST on their own freaking property, then that is their right!
according to mapquest.com:
Country Mill and Hwy 4 to Jay Hospital:
2.41 miles, 4 minutes estimated travel time
Country Mill and Hwy 4 to D W McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, AL:
16.65 miles, 24 minutes estimated travel time
Not even assuming speeding, twenty minutes difference in time. I have no idea as to the details of the injury
I’m not commenting on the cause of the injury, if the lost time mattered due to the nature of the injury or the mental state of the occupants of the vehicle. I don’t even know how close the nearest ambulance was at the time. (get right down to it, I’m a fountain of ignorance).
I’m just thinking that if I want medical help, I want it as quickly as possible.
David for planning ahead for the next injury
As normal, the media is blowing the whole thing out of proportion until the have had time to investigate. Let them do their job first and foremost and stop taking the big spoon and stirring up the situation. It doesn’t matter if it was a black man or a white man that was shot and killed, It’s a man either way. If the guys were not invited to the party what was they doing out there in the first place.
I don’t care what the color of someone’s skin is, if they are good to me, I am good to them. That’s how I have been brought up and I have had no problems
My fiance lives in Jay and I come over from the UK on a regular basis and have found Jay to be a great place to come and plan to move out there someday. If I had the choice now between where I am now and Jay, I would be in jay.
Jay is like any other town, You have ya good people, ya have bad people, but everyone get’s tarred with the bad people, giving a town a bad name.
Listen the black folks are the ones blowin this out of proportion. If he wanted to kill a black dont you think he would just go to the quarters or the bottom? Let me tell yall something, they were most likely NOT invited. The white girls were. They should have had more sense than to bring them along. This whole situation would have been avoided if they didn’t show up. Also runnin their mouths didnt help them when they got down there. See what retaliation gets yall, if yall think about it.
I agree with George who said…….
“A young man was shot and died from his wounds. Nothing anyone does will change that fact. Another young man fired the shot that struck the young man who died. Nothing anyone does will change that fact. If you, (and I’m referring to any and everyone), go out and “seek revenge”, what will it accomplish? What it will accomplish is this: more people of both races will be harmed one way or another. More mothers and families will grieve. More hatred will be created. More grief will be piled on the shoulders of Gus’s mother because she will know you destroyed your life or the life of others for “revenge”. But her Gus will still be dead! Stop thinking and talking like a five year old. This is not a kids squabble of “he did it first so I’m gonna do it back to him”. If you want to honor Gus and his family, let the law take care of this and you dedicate your anger and energy to making yourself and your part of the world a better place. A few years from now, stand at college graduation and say: “THIS is for my boy Gus.” That will honor Gus and his mother! Your arrest or death for “revenge” will not.”
The FactsThis comment is for you ! First off you point out that blacks are thugs and were this and that! However blacks have contributed just as much to American culture as whites if not more! All basic inventions in America were invented by blacks. The American infrastruture was built on slave labor so don’t try to demoralize blacks like were all dumb and stupid. Odviously you are racist. You talk about rap music and our culture but how many rap albums do you own probably quite a few. When you turn on your television to watch football basketball or any major sports whose scoring touchdowns? Black are! Where would sports or America be without Blacks? Before you demonize blacks get your facts straight! 80% of rap albums are purchased by whites dummy!
All you people that keep wondering why they went to Brewton rather than Jay hospital
HAVE ….YOU…. EVER ….HEARD…. OF….. PANIC.
you never know what you will do, when someone has been shot.
IM FROM JAY AND I KNOW ROBBIE VERY WELL…ROBBIE IS NOT THE KIND OF PERSON TO PULL A GUN AND TAKE A MANS LIFE BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN. ROBBIE IS THE TYPE TO STAND UP FOR HIS RIGHTS AND FRIENDS. THE GIRL THAT BROUGHT THESE BOYS TO THIS PARTY KNEW BETTER. IF YOU DID NOT FEEL GOOD ABOUT SOMEONE BEING THERE ROBBIE WOULD ASK THEM TO LEAVE EVEN IF THEY WAS WHITE,BLACK,RED,BLUE. IT DIDNT MATTER ROBBIE ONLY WANTED TO HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH HIS LOVED ONES AND NOTHING TO GET STARTED. YOU COULD KINDA CALL HIM A PEACE MAKER. FOR THOSE THAT SAY THAT JAY PARENTS ARE NOT RAISING THIER KIDS RIGHT IS BREWTON PARENTS DOING ANY BETTER? ALLOWING THEIR 18YEARS CARRY GUNS WITH THEM TO PARTIES? BECAUSE WE COME FROM JAY AND WE STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN AND PROTECT OUR FAMILY,FRIENDS,AND LAND WE ARE BEING RACIAL? PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THAT IS…BECAUSE IF THAT IS HOW JAY PPL ARE GOING WRONG THEN YALL DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS TO RAISE A CHILD..EVERYONE IS THROWING ROBBIE INTO THE FIRE BECAUSE HE SHOT BACK. WAS IT OKAY FOR THEM BOYS TO SHOW UP WITH A GUN AND THEN STARTED SHOOTING IT?? I DIDNT THINK SO… AND ANOTHER THING THERE WAS A PERSON THAT STATED THAT THE FATHER OF GUS WAS GOING TO TAKE ROBBIE’S LIFE PRETTY MUCH HOW IS THAT NOT RACIAL AND THEN YOU GO ON TO SAY THAT BLACK PPL DONT TAKE MESS FROM NO WHITE PPL HOW IS THAT NOT RACIAL?
ROBBIE WAS PROTECTING THOSE THAT WAS AT THAT PARTY.. IM SORRY I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IM PRETTY DAMN PROUD TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT WOULD GOT TO JAIL FOR THE REST OF THIER LIFE TO PROTECT US.
AND HOW IS IT OKAY FOR YALL TO SAY THAT IT WAS HIS FAULT BECAUSE WAS SHOOTING WHILE THEY WAS LEAVING BUT IT IS OKAY FOR THEM TO BE SHOOTING AT ROBBIE WHILE THEY WAS LEAVING??
WOULD THIS REALLY BEING GOING ON RIGHT NOW IF IT WAS ROBBIES LIFE THAT WAS TAKEN? NO;;;
ROBBIE WOULD NOT HAVE FIRED FOR NO REASON AND SURE THEY HAD NO GUN BUT THEY HAD 15 MIN. TO THROW IT OUT AND NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW.
DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT IF A WHITE BOY COME TO A BLACK PARTY WHEN HE KNEW THAT HE WAS INIVITED AND PULLED A GUN THEY THE BLACK PPL WOULD NOT SHOT BACK PLEASE DONT KID YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU WOULD DO WHAT ROBBIE DONE.. ANYTHING THAT YOU HAD TO DO TO PROTECT THOSE OF YOU LOVED ONES THAT WAS THERE…
ITS 2010 PEOPLE GROW UP ALREADY!!!
Look I’m not qoinq to point finqers racism or no racism, you have people qrievin over somethinq that could’ve been prevented. I pray that our country doesn’t qo back to the 50’s but thats what it looks like. So they were there uninvited but is that really a reason to kill someone seriously. Not all Jay people are racist, and not all black people wanna be thuqs. I take that offensive beinq how I’m black. Either way it qoes 2 people are qone and not cominq back no matter what is said or done. Both families are in my prayers
Rip Getyron aka Gus (qone but no forqotten)
1] black white this white black that. Im sure race did have something to do with it but it was them. Robby and “gus.” And the others involved in the fight or shooting not the people of jay.
2] Jay is a great town there are racist people though just like every other town. Stop threatening the people of jay we did not do anything.
3] And i mean come on how can white people or even country people in this place not be intimidated or uncomfortable or even scared when a person walks up to them with tattoos all over pants around there ankles and a bandana around there head. And then they talk like they aint got no sense they are portraying themselves that way.
4] What is retalliation gunna prove? exactly nothing all theese threats to the people of jay and the family of the man who shot the other man. Protesting is ridiculous we get your point. But you know as well as i do it isnt going to prove anything. If this would have been the other way around just think about would you see how ridiculous everybody’s actions are.
Jay is a place for fun and wholesome friends getting together there are retards like theeses in all towns. And dont think twice about that. But why should it come to girls from jay being scared to goto brewton after dark or blakc people from brewton scared to go to jay after dark. Everybody should settle their differences. I hope god is with both theese families at this time but i mean OPEN YOUR EYES. Jay and Brewton has their idiots. Just dont blame the people of jay for it.
What I want to know is why did they drive all the way back to Brewton to the hospital when they could have gone to Jay hospital? The young boy probably bleed so much that may have contributed to his death! Could they have stopped and got rid of their guns on the way back to Brewton? It looks like to me they went there looking for trouble and the girls that brought them there should share some of blame!!!!!! This is a lesson for all if you are asked to leave someones home smile and turn around and leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Listen lets all get it straight Gus and his friends were invited for one. For two if they were leaving as asked then he should have let them go. Not try and show out at his party because that one stupid move got gus dead and him behind bars.As far as people going on here with your smart remarks keep them to yourself because if the story was turned around your mouth would not be so smart you would be hurt just like gus family is. Someone said that the shooter worked for her for 3years and he had to be provoked stop fooling your self you don’t no that boy outside of work of course for the sake of your job you will carry a different hat . That child didn’t just get like that he was raised to hate blacks. As far as whoever stated about the black and white with school stop it get a life people a young man lost his life that night.He didn’t go looking for trouble their are parties in brewton all the time where black and white are their and no body gets shot . I think it was a senseless, stupid,move that the young man made and he needs to spend the rest of his days on death role because that is what he did to Gus he put him on death role and pulled the trigger himself NO SELF DEFENSE THE DEATH Role
How i feel about the situation is of course it was a little racism involve in it. But the whole situation could have been prevented. i mean they was asked to leave and thats what they did. He didnt have to shoot at the car at all especially if they was leaving already. I grew up wit gus playing football and running track. He was a pretty cool dude. My heart goes out to the family and friends.
R.I.P. GETYRON LOPEZ BENJAMIN
A.K.A.
GUS
im not black or white but, I see just as many sorry white people around as any other race. Just because your black or any other race does not mean that you are not educated get out of the 50s. Their are sorry people in every single race not just blacks. Oh yeah and thats whats wrong with this world today ignorant people..
A young man was shot and died from his wounds. Nothing anyone does will change that fact. Another young man fired the shot that struck the young man who died. Nothing anyone does will change that fact. If you, (and I’m referring to any and everyone), go out and “seek revenge”, what will it accomplish? What it will accomplish is this: more people of both races will be harmed one way or another. More mothers and families will grieve. More hatred will be created. More grief will be piled on the shoulders of Gus’s mother because she will know you destroyed your life or the life of others for “revenge”. But her Gus will still be dead! Stop thinking and talking like a five year old. This is not a kids squabble of “he did it first so I’m gonna do it back to him”. If you want to honor Gus and his family, let the law take care of this and you dedicate your anger and energy to making yourself and your part of the world a better place. A few years from now, stand at college graduation and say: “THIS is for my boy Gus.” That will honor Gus and his mother! Your arrest or death for “revenge” will not.
I have read all these comments. I have this to say, Even if the people were asked to leave and declined, then why didn’t the host of this party call the police instead of going to his truck and get a firearm??? This Black and White issue only comes from being ignorant and the way you are raised. I was raised that we are all people just some of us are different from others. We all bleed RED!! And the last time I looked in a crayon box White was a color. I just don’t get where some of you come from. We are fighting because someone was a different color or didn’t leave when asked to do so????? With all the crap going on in our world, War, earthquakes, starvation, Government, can’t we just stop this violence, and come together and straighten up our country??? It makes more sense to me than going and getting a gun to hurt or kill someone just being at a place their not welcomed. Hey, try it, it just might be worth the time. lets stop taking the time to hurt or kill someone, isn’t there enough of that already?
I think everyone needs to shut up about black people, they are americans just like US! we all live under the same rules. & one of them is, you murder someone, you go to jail. period. No matter what COLOR you are, it’s not okay to kill an innocent man. Gus was my classmate & everyone had a reason to like Gus, he made everyone laugh. Im sorry that you ignorant people who have nothing better to than dis on blacks, didn’t get the chance to meet him. He was taken away at such a young age. He’s not getting a chance to grow up & have a family & have a career. because stupid rednecks have to show out & show off their guns. really grow up, Gus is gone & there’s nothing to do about. May he rest in peace.
Don’t say people from Jay are ignorant. Remember that the school standards had to be lowered when the black people were allowed to go to school with whites. That is fact. Look it up. Black people really need to pull themselves together and stop their thug mentality. I have viewed this guys facebook page and it is quite disgusting. If that is something you Brewton people are proud of and view as a good, decent guy, I question you. This is why white people can’t feel comfortable with black people. They want to act like thugs and walk around with their pants down below their butts. Stop living off the government and get educated and forget your rap music thug ways!
REGARDING:
“Now, here is where the legality of any crime comes into play. And ask yourselves these questions:
1) What were the Brewton men doing in Berrydale and Mr. Floyd’s house uninvited?
2) Why didn’t these same men leave when asked to leave?
3) What was the motive behind the men from Brewton coming to Mr. Floyd’s home to start with?”
1. It seems to have been established that one of the others told them they were welcome. thus it was an indirect invitation. It is possible that the ones who invited didn’t have authority to invite but that doesn’t mean there was no invitation. By, the way, this is the answer to 3. as well.
2. it actually looks like they did. Immediately? Probably not, obviously not fast enough to satisfy the shooter but they were driving off when he opened fire according to the reports. If he only hit them twice out of five or more shots, it sounds like they were a fair distance unless you want to imply he could not aim well after midnight and possibly a few drinks.
As to ” legality of any crime” if it’s legal, it isn’t a crime, if it’s a crime, it isn’t legal.
I think shooting into an occupied vehicle is illegal, or a crime.
Again, if you or your children or loved ones were in the vehicle in question, wouldn’t you want to not worry they might be shot?
David wishing all people saw all people as people
This entire story is sad. First, I currently live part time in Jay. Jay is not as closed minded as people think. Sure, they are a lot of reserved people there, but most that I have come across are very polite, and very well mannered. I must say this even for the young people I have met there. I have met many young men at different places there, and they have all been very respectful. I’m no so sure that Robert Floyd intended to harm anyone, but to say it was racist, is not completely the truth. From what the story says, there were 2 Blacks, and 2 Whites, in that vehicle as it left. So there was a 50/50 chance that either one race could have been hit by one of those bullets. I agree, that this is again where young people want to party, and drink. Alcohol causes many painful situations, and not only did one person lose their life that night, but one lost his life as he knew it also, for a stupid mistake he made. I say stupid, because it was stupid. He was a smart young man that made a very stupid mistake. Whether it be that he was trying to show off for his friends, or just to prove a fact that he didn’t want those people at his party. Either way, had he walked away, and left that gun in his truck, none of this would have happened, and he would not be in jail today. Jay is a very serene town, with very loving people. No one wishes these actions on anyone. Since moving to Jay, I have seen Black people in businesses around town, and they have always been treated as anyone else. No way was any racial differences seen. Sure, there are a lot of people that still have the good ole boy attitude, but again, that is not a racial attitude. As a gay man, I don’t flaunt my status around town, but I treat everyone the same as I want to be treated, and I have never occured any disrespect from anyone. Please continue to have both of these families in your prayers, as they both lost a son that night. All because of stupid mistakes. Mistakes of going to a party uninvited, and not leaving when asked too, and shooting a gun when it wasn’t needed. Both were a wrong decision.
Put it like this my boy Gus gone. You don’t shoot a man in the back black or white. Yes more stuff will happen from this.
You will be miss by all. We love You
SO I spelled a few words wrong cause I get a little worked up ..but you all get what Im saying….
i agree with Denae… and if they were really men, they would have fought it out without bringing guns in the mix… that shows the youths today are SOFT.. and cant handle a black eye, anybody can shoot somebody but if you cant fight, then dont put yourself in that situation.
For starters, I’ve noticed how everyone keeps saying things like, “Shut up! You don’t know the real story.” Well, honestly NO one does EXCEPT for the ones that were there. And they ALL have their OWN side to take up for and they will tell their story the way the want to. So stop saying that people don’t know what they are talking about because YOU don’t either. When I heard about this Saturday it was ALREADY blown WAY out of proportion. I was enjoying myself in Pensacola when I get a call saying “Come home now! There are black people killing people in Jay.” Now, be real. This isn’t true. No blacks were in Jay killing whites.
I’ve heard many stories that they are having rallies in Brewton to have shoot outs and fights here in Jay. But honestly that’s NOT going to happen. I understand that the family and friends of Gus are HIGHLY devistated. I can’t imagine your hurt. But I also know that if something like this happened to someone in Jay we wouldn’t call it racism. We ARE NOT racist. And I don’t believe that Gus was killed over racism. It was a party gone bad for many reasons.
1.) Going to a party in a town that you DO NOT THINK likes your race is NOT a good idea. A party that you have to take a gun to to protect yourself is not a party to go to. I understand that the white girls invited the black boys there, but that doesn’t make them the problem. If you know you won’t be welcome somewhere DON’T GO!
2.) DRINKING!!!! Everyone at that party had consumed alchohol. Not only was there drinking, but there was drinking to minors also. Drinking and getting drunk only asks for trouble ALSO. So I do believe that played a HUGE part in this accident that occured. I believe that no one would’ve started a fight if they were COMPLETELY sober.
As for the white “gal” being with the black guy. This happens EVERYWHERE! Are you going to call a black boy that dates an Indian girl an Indian lover? NO! And I understand that it’s wrong for races to mix, as for the BIBLE states this! So CHRISTIANS that are on here saying all this, don’t be judgemental please. The Bible states that races shouldn’t mix in MARRIAGE, please don’t get me wrong I said MARRIAGE not FRIENDSHIP. I believe that the party also went wrong because people do not know how to get along with each other. Just be a good person, it makes the world a better place.
Also, not ALL Jay “folks” are racist. Sure, there’s a few old guys that sit at home watching TV and making smart comments. But realize this! It’s a NEW AGE people!!! We DON’T hang people! We don’t make BLACK jokes. We make BLONDE jokes.And I’ve noticed that it’s like the black and whites switched places. Now days whites are learning to accept blacks. We even have some in Jay, and now blacks are turning against us. I understand that racism will always be an issue, and that nothing anyone can do can change someone’s opinion. But I do know that people need to try to learn that there’s going to be BLACk and WHITES and MIXED!!! We are NOT Hitler here. And this doesn’t just og on in JAY FLORIDA or BREWTON ALABAMA!!!! Just stop your whining.
STOP saying that justice will be served!!! NO!!! A man will reap what he sowed but God’s punishment. Also remember people are suppose to be forgiven. So learn to forgive and be forgiven. Also, I will be praying for the friends and family that lost Gus. To everyone he seemed to be a good boy. And I respect that he is the same as anyone else, a HUMAN BEING!!!
This isn’t a racial problem. We shouldn’t take it that way. The ones that were involved will get what they need to have done to them, but the ones that were NOT there and were NOT involved. Stop trying to be. And don’t act like you know everything. I’ve heard many stories and I’m not believe any of them.
Weel, I understand that I wrote alot but clam it down a bit. We all need to get on our hands and knees and pray for God to fix this, not your race!!!!
Most of you that are leaving comments on this page wasnt even there you just know whatever you was told by other people…
The black guys and White girls should have left whenever they were told the first time and none of this would even happend!!
My prayers go out too both familys:
Robbeys family because their son is about to go to prison over someone showing up on his land and was trying to start DRAMA…
Getyron Benjamin family because they just lost a young life in their family..
but a far as anything go JAY is a great town to live in.. so why are you people trying to blame the whole town for what happen!!
and for most of you people on here who said robbey should rot in prison, NO he shouldnt he is a great person.. Getyron should have never went to someones party uninvited, that he did not know..
GOD BE WITH BOTH FAMILYS..
Neal ‘09 Graduate:
now let me tell you one thing you need to stop stayen all tht crap bout jay….. i knew Tyron ok and i dnt think its right tht you n everybody eles is gonna put Jay down like tht…… come on now grow up……. yea ok ok ok ok i get it yea robbi shoot him but the thing is they shot 1st ok im not RACIST god noe……..
BUT WHAT I DNT UNDERSTAND Y YOU HAVD TO SAY THT CRAP…. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THEY SAID THT TYRON GOT WAT HE DESERVED??????
To Tyron’s family….
Im sorry for your loss you are in my prays……
i cant realy say much but noe i havent anyone close to me execpt for my Mom n i was 12years old everybody is gonna talk crap but you noe wat you noe…………….
AND LAST PEOPLE NEED TO STOP SAYEN THT EVERYBODY FROM JAY ARE RACIST CAUSE IM NOT AND A BUNCH ON MY FRIENDS AINT……… YOU CAN ASK MY FRIENDS FROM BREWTON AND THEY WILL TELL YOU…………
For all the people on here saying bad things about Robbie Floyd and his family need to shut up. I personally know this man and his family and they’re great people. I am by no means racist but these black men should not have shown up uninvited. I will pray for the family of the man who was shot. It’s a horrible way to lose someone. But, these guys were at fault too. Robbie was on his own property. He had been drinking but he is of legal age and was not publicy drinking so there was nothing wrong with that. I know people that were at that party. I happen to be friends with Robbie’s younger brother and I know the whole story. The guys were asked to leave more than one time and should’ve left Robbie’s private property? The black men flashed the gun first saying “should I do it? should I do it?”. Robbie ran to his truck which was sitting near by and got his rifle. Robbie hit the vehicle as it was leaving because the black men were firing out of the window. That therefore makes it SELF-DEFENSE. I don’t know about you guys but if someone was shooting at me and I had a gun in my hand I would shoot back. Most people would. I understand how much the family of the man that was killed is sufferring. My heart goes out to them. But Robbie’s family is sufferring too. They are falling apart. This whole situation is a tradgedy for everyone involved. It shouldn’t have happened. But it did. But I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. God has a plan. So I’m going to keep praying for both families. They need it right now.
■Denae
i agree…. people with guns that are too immature to handle them…. guns dont kill people, people kill people..
when i was in high school and just out of high school, i had a couple of guns, i would have NEVER brought one to a party though, thats ignorant… if i had a problem with someone or they had a problem with me, we would fight with our hands… not guns, that also shows how scared and whimpy our youths are today.
we the people will never know what really happened that night but one thing we do know is mr floyd will be going to jail because he is white and mr benjamin is black, and if he doesnt go to jail, it will be a huge racial issue…..it sad that one man lost his life and one is in jail… i will say it is obvious to have shots in the back of the car, the car was leaving and no longer a threat so mr floyd was in the wrong for that, had he shot benjamin while benjamin supposedly showed him his gun, it would be a no brainer. but this was a party, so the truth should eventually reveal itself with the witnesses that were there. we will just have to wait and see. for now, i hope there are not any additional deaths caused by this incident. (retaliation) …. and the last thing i will say, if im white, i would NOT go to a party in a “known black area” i dont care if i know 5 people there… and if im black, i would NOT go to a party in a “known white area”… there is still WAY TOO much racism ON BOTH SIDES…… LET ME REPEAT THAT…. ON BOTH SIDES
I think that all the evidence needs to come out before anyone starts raising race issues. Also everyone keeps asking where the shell casings are from the supposed handgun. I think the shooter said the uninvited guest pulled out a handgun, I didn’t read that he stated it was fired. he just saw someone pull out a handgun and went and got his. This is a sad story of “kids” having guns and not knowing what they are doing with them. So quick to pull a gun out and blow someone’s life away. It is a very sad situation, whether it is racial or not.
To the Benjamin family,
I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. No one can understand the loss of a child, unless they have experienced that pain for themselves. It has to be one of the worse things possible that could happen to anyone on this present earth.
To the Floyd family,
I am so very sorry for your tragic situation. I know you must have pain in your heart that no one can completely comprehend.
To both families,
I do not know either of you, but I am a human being whose heart has been renewed by Christ. I have visited Brewton on several occasions, and find it a delightful place. I have met some nice people there. I worked in Jay for 2 or 3 years, and found it to be a very nice place. It seemed so serene. I met mostly likable people there. I worked with many. There were also some not so delightful, but not many. I am not originally from Florida, so I did not know the history of the town. One day I asked someone why I never saw any black people on the streets there. I was told of a terrible incident that occurred there around the fifties, if I remember correctly. I was sickened to hear this, but I neither saw or heard anything that made me think that mentality ruled there now. I found quite the contrary, and was extremely glad. I have often thought of how nice it must be to live there. I know that some of the most caring folks I’ve ever done business with work at the EREC and in the medical profession there. There is good everywhere, and there is evil everywhere. It is the last days of life as we have known it. Just as The Word of God says, “The devil has come down in rage, because he knows his time is short.” Please, people… don’t let him win in our towns. The problem here is caused by us… we the people……..all people regardless of color or background, when we do not believe or do what our Maker has instructed us to do. So many claim to be godly people, but try to live with one foot in the wide road of the world, and one foot in the narrow way of the Kingdom of God. Now, how can that be “being in The Way?” It is time for the people who say they are followers of Christ to actually follow Him. Jesus said once that His Kingdom is not of this world, and that if it were, His disciples would fight for Him. The only weapon He ever instructed His followers to use, is The Sword of The Spirit, which is The Word of God. Please don’t keep this going. Since I was 3 years of age, I have wanted to love and embrace all people. They are all of God’s creation. He loves us all. Do we love Him enough to try something different, like actually giving our lives over to Him for repair? “The way it’s always been done,” is not working. Why keep doing it? In the Awesome Name of Jesus, may this hate end here, now. Please, people. Please.
Eyor Yekim!!! I completely agree with you!:) RIP Gus Brewton LOVES you! You will be tremendously missed!
I hope they will keep mr floyd safe while he is in jail . To the parents of Guss my heart goes out to you for we should not have to bury one of our babies. Too many times our legal system lets us down for all involved I hope the truth will be the outcome whatever it may be .all therumors and revenge in the world will not bring guss back here so for those with that in your heart you are punishing yourself let mans law take hold for now then gods laws will take hold later no matter what, everyone should just pray and for some of you take a look around be thankful it was not your son because I hear of parties that take place in mcdavid that has underage drinking and that leads to broken laws for our broken system seems no one in the northend takes underage drinking as a sign for trouble . with that said I will be praying for all of us.
Young and immature, huh? Really? We’re just concerned citizens. No one here wants this to happen again. Both parties involved were wrong. People are focusing on the wrong thing, as is MJ here.
Question: Does anyone know if anything(shell casings or bullets, anything at all) were found from the “alleged” handgun shots? Because honestly, this story from Mr. Floyd, isn’t making complete sense.
I think there are several questions that need to be asked before anyone else claims racial tension. Let’s look at the facts as we know them. Mr. Floyd was having a party with friends at his home. Some UNINVITED guests arrived and an argument insued. Now, according to the offical police report, Mr. Floyd ask the uninvited quests to leave at least once. Again, according to the police report, the verbal argument then became physical and again Mr. Floyd asked the uninvited guests to leave. From this, this is where the true crime was committed. One of the uninvited guests pulled a pistol and fired multiple shots at Mr. Floyd. As would most Good Ol’ Country Boys would do, he ran to his truck and returned fire.
Now, here is where the legality of any crime comes into play. And ask yourselves these questions:
1) What were the Brewton men doing in Berrydale and Mr. Floyd’s house uninvited?
2) Why didn’t these same men leave when asked to leave?
3) What was the motive behind the men from Brewton coming to Mr. Floyd’s home to start with?
There are hundreds of questions that haven’t been asked or answered for the public to know at this time. BUT, if the events leading up to the shooting are as Mr. Floyd has stated, then the shooting is justifiable since he was protecting his home and his guests AND he was in fear for his life. Think about this before you are so quick to judge. Nobody reallly knows what happened except the people that were there. I know I wasn’t there and can already beat the case. I don’t know why there were charges filed against Mr. Floyd. And to the perosn asking about GSR, Brewton P.D. nor Escambia County Alabama Sheriff’s Office would request that type of test when another jurisdiction is investigating the shooting. But, without this test to confirm or deny Mr. Floyd’s statement that he was shot at first, then the State of Florida doesn’t have a very good case.
I just read the story, don’t know all the details….I just know I will be praying for both families during this difficult time. God Bless Ya’ll
“annoyed” You are an idiot along with most people who are posting on here. It is embarrassing to me the grammar you people use and makes me wonder what is being taught in our school system.
Most of the people who are writing on here weren’t there, don’t know what happened, and are making it worse.
You people are obviously very young an immature.
To worried……No more than any other day!
You need only to worry about where you will spend eternity…At the end of the day, evil will be all over the face of this earth and it has no skin color. You can get raped, mugged, murdered or robbed my any numbers of skin colors.
See the good people of Brewton, Jay, Century, Atmore, Molino, Berrydale etc. will still be good people at the end of the day. Those who would do you deliberate harm, don’t need a reason to harm you. They jump on the bandwagon and use it as an excuse.
None of the young people involved in this tragedy set out to kill or get killed that day. But the day ended very bad for lots of good people.
I want to start by saying this, there is enough blame to go around to everyone involved in this tragic event. Let the judicial system, for better or worse, do its job. I have a few comments/questions.
1. When is law enforcement, community leaders, and parents (not just Jay people) going to stop these bonfire parties. It’s just a nice, polite name for a “keg” party. They are happening in every community. A gun in the hands of a drunk is just as bad as a vehicle in the hands of a drunk!
2. I know there were more pressing things at the time, but was ID’s and ages checked at the scene? Did anybody leave before police got there? Maybe minors? If minors were there drinking at a private residence with adult knowledge, should there should be more chages filed?
Has it been established if any empty pistol cases were found at the scene? If not, This does not automatically rule out the possibility of another gun. If the other subjects had a revolver there would not be any cases left behind. The pistol could have been discarded anywhere along their travels and would not have been found during a search. I would suggest a through search of the area for empty cases and possible bullets. I would have also tested all of the subjects for GSR, when this was reported and they were identified. This is a crucial piece of evidence that once it is gone, it is gone. There is numerous ways to find out who is lying. I hope this is investigated well as this is very serious. I did not focus my attention on the shooter as he told his story to police and we already know what gun he shot, at who, where, and how many times. This does not mean I am siding with the shooter. I am saddened for the family of the young man that lost his life. I will keep them in my prayers.
I am a former resident of Jay.I was born and raised there.I know there are prejudice people everywhere not just Jay and not just whites .Blacks and whites alike are prejudice in all towns.Jay has a history of hating blacks,but that was many many years ago.Come on our ancestors are dead and gone.Times have changed and people has changed.I am NOT prejudice as a matter of fact I have a good friend that lives in Jay with her black boyfriend.I know several that live in Berrydale and surrounding areas.What has been failed to be mentioned is that there were 2 white boys in the car as well.Instead of focusing on racial issues we should be praying for both families.Jesus is the answer to all of this.Nothing can bring back the young mans life, but they are many people affected that need comfort and help.Grown men and women should act like adults!!!!!!! Jesus is the way the truth and the life and all things are in his hands.Call on him and he will be there.
Why do people think to take the law into their own hands??? Why didn’t the guy call the Police when these guys wouldn’t leave when asked? He shot them killing one, then decided he should notify the authorities? This is whats wrong with this area. “Just give me a gun and I’ll end it”, attitude. What a waste.
seriously should anyone that lives in Jay be scared for our lives to even go near brewton or stay in Jay????
if robbie was the one that got shot, would this have been a racial crime???????????? highly doubtful
Man this is crazy why would you shoot at somebody if they was driving off the cops say they didnt find a gun in the car so in my eyes it was a racial thing.
I have sat here and read about half of the comments that have been written, and I have disgusted by both sides. Do you none of you know that we do not have the right to judge, the only one who does is GOD. I understand that everyone is mad on either side, but retaliation is not an answer. Threatening someone is not going to make your friend come back. Really? Do you think he would like everyone of his “classmates and friends” sitting on these websites making themselves look ignorant by making awful comments about someone they did not even know, or don’t even know what really happened that night. I would be embarrassed if my friends did that. It is really sad that this day and time that people so easily throw around the word racist. Just because we live in the country, have trucks, go mud riding and farm that makes us racist? I think not. I think there are some very ignorant people out there who just want to blame it on that. I know Robbie and I know he did not do that just because of the color of that boy’s skin. And anyone who uses that excuses is ignorant. Don’t judge someone just because of what other people are saying unless you know the situation and the people. Both families are hurting right now and for you people to be on here acting like this probably makes them embarrassed, for people they know to act this way. One family has lost a son, another might lose theirs. Give them some respect and quite attacking each other over this mess. I am praying for both families!
A “NO TRESPASSING” sign does not give a property owner the right to shoot on sight, duh. AND, he shot the guy in the back! That means he was leaving and was not a threat, duh again. The apparent stupidity and ignorance in our communities is exactly why the world sees us all as cousin-marrying, shotgun toting, snaggle-toothed idiots. Thanks, guys for making us all look really SMART!
From one mother to another. I just wanted to bless both mothers. For they are the real victims of this senseless act. Both of them raised their children with love and with christain values. When our children are grown we can’t hold their hands and control thier actions. Good or bad we have to love our children unconditionally. I pray that Gus’s mother finds justice and peace in time. I pray that Robbie’s mother finds strength to weather this storm. We all can’t point a finger. Crimes of passion never make sense and they are never right or wrong. Mothers need to fight this senseless acts and start banding together. MADD (mothers against dring and driving) started somewhere. God has a plan for us all, we don’t always agree with his plans but he knows them and uses us for the greater good of mankind. They are right about it taking a village to raise a child. We all need to look out for all children and young adults. This shouldn’t be about racism. It should be about stupidity and young people not mature enough to make the right decision. Ms. Tracey. I fill for you and your loss, Noone or nothing can ever replace your baby. Ms. Floyd, Noone can turn back the hand of time. He is now and always will be your baby as well. Bless you both. Love can build a bridge. We need to start and be the first to have faith and trust in our god. Amen.
There are so many comments here about white people in Jay being so bad. You think black people don’t go around shooting people???????? Like they are the world’s only victims? They shoot more people than anyone! They are notorious for carrying their guns and living the GANGSTA life. And from what I’ve been told, the victim didn’t live a clean life. And trust me. All BLACK people DON”T like white people.
As I sit here reading the comments that have been posted the past couple of days, I am filled with sorrow and disbelief at the hatred and ignorance that has been expressed by people from both sides of the controversy. It seems that many people have lost sight of the fact that (a) one family has lost their precious son and (b) another family may be losing theirs. Yes, I am a resident of Jay. I am also the spouse of a career soldier (retired). As a result of our years of service, we have had the opportunity to live and travel in both the United States and many foreign countries. My children, also residents of Jay, have been taught their whole lives that a person’s character and integrity (not the color of their skin) are what determine what kind of human being they are. We have been so fortunate to form loving and lasting friendships with many people of other races. These wonderful people have stood side by side with my husband, proudly serving and defending this country. Jay is not perfect…what community, town or city is? However, the number of loving, kind and tolerant people living here far outweighs the number of people who are not so tolerant and accepting. My hope is that people in the surrounding areas will not lose sight of this. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both young men. Lastly, please remember that the families of both boys most likely are reading the comments that you all are posting. Take a moment and put yourself in their position and imagine the pain and grief that your words are causing.
“If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Look on the bright side.
Do not try to justify a murder. People you will only waste your time, there are more important battles to be fought. Such as the hatred we sometimes carry in our hearts. When this life ends you will understand upon meeting with the one who does have the right to justify everything we are and still exist to be. God is not yet discouraged of man because I’m and we are still here and I will see you again sweets.
OK, I have read many of these ridiculous opinions on this subject. I know the father and mother of Robbie. Let me say first, I do not believe for a minute some of you are trying to put blame on the parents. I have to say, you can show your kids the right path but cannot make them take it! But, in this case, I am being told, Robbie ran to get his gun because as the car was cranked and leaving, there were shots fired toward the other people there and toward the home! Robbie, at that point, grabbed his rifle and fired back, maybe protecting the others that were there? I would say yes.
There are several issues that I want to comment on:
1. This happened about 10 miles from Jay in a community “Berrydale”.
2. Brewton hospital is about 5 miles further away than Jay Hospital was.
3. Yes, there are several miles to rid yourself of a gun between Berrydale and Brewton.
4. No, not all people in Jay are prejudice. Some are, but, most these days are not.
5. Yes I live in Jay and have a child in school there. They do not teach our children racism at the school, this is learned at home!
6. If asked to leave, they should have left!
7. Robbie did call the sheriff’s office, after the threat left.
8. I think some of the blame is on whomever invited them to the party. If Robbie didn’t extend the invitation, then, that is like a friend getting married and you inviting someone that didn’t know the bride nor the groom to the wedding. Still not invited by the owner of the property. If they were asked to leave and refused, pushing occurred, guns were fired, there were WHITE PEOPLE IN THE CAR… Robbie could have shot one of them, you still think this is due to racism??? I THINK NOT!
My husband doesn’t want me to go to Brewton until things cool down over this situation. I believe all this is absolutely ridiculous, whether racial (I don’t believe) or not. Now I will have to drive an extra 40 miles to Pace or Milton to do my shopping due to threats of retaliation.
I pray for both families! Not just the white family, both families!!! I cannot believe this 18 is dead and people are more worried about how to bash Jay, Florida. Pray for these families and stop all the hatred.
I grew up in other places, went to school in Pensacola, Century and then Jay, when I was in school, things were different, parents taught their children to respect everyone! I am teaching my child that same logic, you respect everyone, unless they disrespect you.
God bless both of these families. I pray that the family of the Brewton teen will have peace and the touch of God during this troubled time. And, I pray for the Floyd family that God touches them while they are going through their troubled time also!
“Retaliation is not the answer just the start of a new problem!!”
Here is my question to the people who keep claiming that, “It is impossible to fight racism because it has always been here and always will be.” Just because YOU feel something is human nature does not make it right. Sin has been around since the beginning of time. Are you suggesting that we should all just give in to our deepest and darkest desires? Certainly anyone who okays racist sentiments, whether they are covert or overt, is in far more danger of hell than any homosexual, abortionist, or drug addict. What would Jesus say about this? Would Jesus say that this murder was okay? Would Jesus ever justify a murder? I think there is strong evidence in the new testament to suggest that he is pretty opposed to the idea.
I also resent the fact that so many people from Jay are saying that “Blacks should know better”. I have black friends, as well as a black girlfriend. You do not speak for 90% of people in Jay. You speak for yourself and a few of your friends. If you want to feel that way, I feel sorry for you and pray that God has more mercy on your soul than his Bible says he is going to. But the majority of people in Jay are horrified this happened and want justice served!
The truly tragic thing here is that the family of this young man is not being allowed to mourn in peace and with dignity.
Shooting a rifle at a car that was leaving is indefensible, regardless of what went on beforehand. And now the “racial” aspect of this situation promises to leave long lasting scars on the communities involved. There is no doubt that Robbie Floyd may now find out what it is like to be a minority, as he will likely be spending time in prison as a “racially motivated back shooter”. No good thing comes from keg parties where people have weapons, but sadly, is all too common.
All of you hateful mean spirited, name calling people . What makes any one of you better than the people you’re calling names?
By the sound and tone you keep spitting out, you won’t be happy until everyone has a gun and riding up and down the highways looking to kill someone yourself.
Life’s about choices, make real good and sure you can live with the choices you make. The death penalty is still active in FL.
Here on this earth and the after life you choose.
Does the bullet match Floyds’ gun or the other gun??? I’ve been shot at a couple of times and in the heat of battle anything is possible.
if these two white pigs are responsible for these black guys being at this party, then THEY are truly the reason this tragedy happened. They knew the score and probably told the black guys it was safe. These two little sub pigs caused this to happen….I hope they are proud. Sad but these creatures will never be put in the spotlight for all to see
jay grad answer to your question why they didnt go to jay hospital scared to get rid of agun i dont think so……..but the good ole boy s will have time to plant one betwen brewton and jay. ple3ase admit that floyd was wrong for shooting in the back of the car his pride was hurt when the white gal came with the black boys to the party jay get over it yall white gal love our black men.as forstaying out of jstaying out of jay well you people that how yall say it need to pray really hard god needs to send alot of love into this little hell town, as far as crime goes i guess it not a crime to be aschool teacher and malist young men in the school
This question might have already been ask and i missed it but why did they drive all the way from Jay to Brewton to the hospital.There is a hospital in Jay.
i moved to jay 5 years a go. i could have moved anywhere i wanted to, i chose jay because .jay has the friendlist people i have met in mt 68 years on earth.and i have been in every state in the us.the rest of the country could learn a lot from jay, if they could just get this black/white thing out of their mind and think what happend is sad and tragic,but could have been avoided only if some would respect the rights of others , wonder what the talk would be if two young white guys from jay, went to a private party in brewton and was asked to leave, and refused, would the people of brewton be called racises ,no, but the two kids would have been called red necks, and labled as racist, and trouble makers and anything that happend would have been justified. let us learn from this .
sayitlikeitis, THANK YOU!…bill cosby thinks the same, as well…me too!
Gus was my neighbor and felt like my like liitle bro grownin up, but I tell you this, there will be a price to pay for this one.
THIS IS A TRAGEDY !! When will the people of this world stop looking at one another and seeing nationality, colour and religion………………………….all humans, bleed, love, hurt, live and die…………
The public will do more damage to everyone involved by spreading “their” individual opinions on this case…………..and inciting further discontent amongst the populace, Individuals would do the situation justice by keeping their opinions to themselves as to who is at fault,,,,,,,and let the law handle this dreadful situation……….Prayer is needed for all those involved and their loved ones……………
Gus You Will Be Miss, In My Eyes you are a hero you kept everybody laughing when people didnt even feel like it you was a down to earth guy, Real And True at Heart, It took a ling time for Me to get your Respect When I would walk by at school and say wats up Gus you would Nod your head and keep walking but your respect grew on me…Everybody make mistakes what you did in the past is the pasted you where truely a good guy..Thank you For Everything you did you Inspired me to be the person I am…..RIP G>L>B DBG
Reall people! Get real, for some of you you are so right about the fact that Gus didn’t deserve this and for the rest of you, DON’T YALL EVER IN YOUR COTTON-PICKIN’ LIFE SAY THAT GUS WAS TRYING TO LOOK FOR TROUBLE. I know for a freaking fact that if he would have known that guy would have shot AND killed him, he would have never stepped foot on Jay ground. And another thing, it doesn’t matter if “Robby worked for you for 3 years” things can change in a matter of seconds ma’am. People can easily trick you and make you think they are quite the opposite of who they really are.
To Henry….. You know there won’t be any rest without us getting some justice. Nah it don’t work that way down here! AT ALL!!
Rest In Peace Gus!
i think that everyone of you runnin your mouth about Jay and/or about Robert.. need to stop unless you knew him or you stay around or in the area.. to know exactly what your talking about,
just because Jay is full of “good ole boys” does not mean that they are out to kill anyone just because of skin color,
and you know that all the stuff your typin on here is bull!
if someone were to pull a gun on you, while on your property, you would do whatever came to mind to protect yourself, your family and your friends from bein hurt,
i dont live in Jay, but very very close to it, went to school with people that lived there, and was friends with people that lived there,
used to stay out there quite often, and YES, there are some people in Jay that can be racist, but not everyone is, so dont judge the entire town, and dont judge Robert either.. just because of things other people have done in Jay.
so stop runnin your mouths until you get your facts straight, because personally im tired of readin about what all of you have to say..
and take your junk on somewhere else, so that Robert can come home, and all of the country people out here can enjoy our peace and quiet,,
if Jay is such a “bad” place to be.. then stay away from it!
cant you people let this man be gone and not slander his name? only a handful of people know the truth and im sure that no one on here is them people so yall need to shut up cause you dont know the whole story. yall all look ignorant, black and white people dont need to be mad at each other, it easily could have been 2 blacks or 2 whites been killed. until all the circumstances are known yall just need to shut the hell up and let him rest in peace.
what would ppl do if i was to walk in to a party with a black guy? they would all turn and stare.. you think i wouldnt notice the comments and smart remarks? robby took it to far… the guys were leaving.. they opposed no threat to him.. robby was just mad at the guys b/c of the fact that they were with the white girl… im so disapointed at the white guy b/c he is putting white ppl to shame.. not everyone is racist… yea the racism card can be played here…. no one need to worry about how ppl spell or use slang.. thats all them.. not you… i agreee about THE MARTIN LUTHER KING THING.. he had a dream for everyone.. not just one… my prayers go out to MRS. TRACEY AND HER FAMILY.. RI.P. GUS WE MISS AND LOVE YOU!!!
I’m really and truly sick and tired of all this. All these comments are beginning to get rediculous. I’m a white girl that dates both white and black guys and I really took offense to that one comment about the girl that brought them to the party that she was described as a ‘black lover’. I mean seriously, if she were white and the other guy was too they would never have classified her as a ‘white lover’. I’m tired of people looking at one another and saying white and black, we are all people. It’s sickening to watch how people act these days, seriously it’s 2010 grow up. A wonderful mans life was taken away and all anyone can talk about is race when what they should be concerned about praying for Gus’ family and friends. The sad thing is soo many people on here talk crap about Gus when he’s no longer here to defend himself. What if it were you? Would you want all this to be said about you? I hope Gus will forever rest in peace because he will never get the chance to live his life like he deserves to. Rest in Peace GeTyron Benjamin.
There have already been many statements about how I feel so I won’t repeat them, but in a nutshell… Yes, Gus should have not been murdered. It’s so so so sad and wrong. Pray, pray, pray your hardest for his family & friends!
A couple of things that bother me deeply…
DO NOT classify the WHOLE community of Jay as racist people. That is SO unfair. Yes, people of Jay have the reputation, but not everybody feels that way. I know SO many unpredjudice people who happen to live in Jay.
DO NOT consider every person who is white as a racist. That my friend is so wrong. It personally offends me and so many other people.
Also…all of these threats that have been made towards the city of Jay is RIDICULOUS! You CAN NOT fight fire with fire! There is only ONE person who shot and killed Gus. Do not threaten innocent people for one persons crime.
One last thing…everyone who went to school at TRM knew Gus. Alot of people try to make him into an innocent person…this isn’t the case. Just because someone is gone does not justify the things they did while they were on earth. However, do not get me wrong, no matter what Gus did or said…it DOES NOT justify Floyd’s violent acts.
Pray hard for both families involved!
amen yikem
Well I guess we can think the white girls for starting this awfull mess. What was they thinking? I guess they just wanted to start somthing. What is sad is the guys probably didnt think it was going to be like that. I have lived here for 25 years and I would never stop because of the feelings in some small towns. I dont know why this happened I just know that two families have to deal with alot of problems. As far as racism goes it will be around no matter what people think. I think the problem is when people try to hide their true feelings. No matter how we feel about eachother we should still respect each other and not harm or kill each other.
i agree with eyor & my florida!
i agree with pelican & eyor yekim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He took one of my best friends life, I mean… I know there are some Jay people out there who are halfway descent, but for all you Billy Bob’s you can take your racist self straight to the underworld. Gus didn’t do a thing wrong. This Robby character some good ole’ boy that enjoys natural light and dirt riding is just a confused young man trying to be hard because of all his insecurities, if you get out of jail, please run and hide. You will have to, go live out in the woods with your deer.
So he deserved it? Wow, some people and their nerve. My heart goes out to everyone involved… except the shooter, and his ignorant friends. The good natured Christ lover in me says to forgive, but the flesh is weak. I really don’t condone violence, but I would not feel bad if this cat had to be put in PC from being beat up, and having his food taken, and all that bad stuff that goes on behind bars. Being married to a beautiful black woman and father to a beautiful bi-racial child, things like this burn me up……… From the bible…… Acts 17:26, And he hath made of ONE blood all nations of men for to dwell on the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. Unfortunately some people don’t get this, and then they raise their children the same way. For some of these people who posted on here……I wish you would trespass on my property, Lord forgive me.
oh and something else… how come most of the white people in Brewton think it wasn’t right to shoot him and most of the white people in Jay do? just think about THAT
and to SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN: you are SO ignorant
I AGREE WITH GB!!!1
SERIOUSLY YOU NEED HELP IF YOU SUPPORT KILLING AN 18 YEAR OLD OVER PROPERTY and hurting the whole town of Brewton. Gus was somebody’s best friend! think about how those people are feeling right now.. someone’s life is way more important than a piece of PROPERTY. All of yall who are backing up this murderer are so HEARTLESS! to me its not the fact that i think it was over racism. It’s the fact that people are talking about how black people dress and talk when that has nothing to do with it! Seriously, get some help. Cuz you need a WHOLE lot of it!
You jay people can say whatever you want to, this guy deserves to rot in prison. A life for a life. I tell you what he should want to go to prison, because I guarantee he will be better off in there, because he’ll be punished either way. I PROMISE you that. Go grow some teeth and stop living in the 50’s.
To South will Rise Again No one deserves to die like that. You don’t go out and shoot people just because they as you put it trespassed. I think they would have left without being shot at. I believe what goes around comes around and you better pray you will never lose a child like this. No one has the right to take another human beings life!
it is so sad that human life do not mean a thing these days it should not matter what color your skin.a human being lost his life for nothing.it sad that everyone is speaking out with so must hate.now everyone is trying to make it’s the blacks and white thing.when all it was a tragic.
i cant fathom the reason that people are worried about the way people dress, talk, act, etc. when someone was just shot and killed! these petty things should be the furthest thing from anyones minds. this is a serious thing and all people are worried about is mess like that. some of you people need to grow up and realize that someone was killed because of someones immature actions. this isnt really about a race thing to me. i would be acting the same way if a white person shot a white person, black shot a black person…whatever! the point is, if you shoot & kill someone, you need to be punished! and whoever says that they are behind ‘ROBBY’ all the way..needs serious help! i advise everyone that supports someone shooting and killing an 18 year old boy with his whole life ahead of him, to go and pray! rip gus! you will never be forgotten! i love you so much!
Everyone from jay is wrong. wrong wrong wrong. No one shot anything first. Yall are just racist. End of story. We all know what God says about murderers…so Rest in peace. I love you Gus and i know you are watching down on us. Don’t worry…ole boy will recieve what he deserves. I dont care who you are…why you did it. You killed my best friend..you will pay. Go read a Bible and find out what happens. Thanks.
REGARDING:
“……look at the crime in Jay. There is none what does this tell us.”
I like Jay. I like most of the people in Jay. But NO CRIME RATE?
Surely we can be honest with ourselves. There is some crime, (even if it is by outsiders–i.e. someone whose great-grandfathers ween’t all born in Jay).
There are thefts.
Some of the teachers have been overly friendly with students. (not that I’m complaining, not even jealous)
I would not be surprised to learn there were people under 21 drinking in Berrydale (not Jay, but close enough for this discussion)
and people serving them drinks.
There may have even been a murder very recently.
This may be a LOW crime rate. but crimes are crimes.
David for calling a crime a crime
Well, Tell me people what ever happen to calling the police for someone who was invading your space. It seems that this Floyd fella was having a problem with some girl and the final realization was he shot a man in the back leaving his home. There was no evidance of bullet found from the victims so call gun but a lot from the shooter. The police have the evidence and they feel they had enough to charge him. In the end, that is what will rule. We should all be sadden that two lives and families will be changed forever because of not thinking before acting.
I am sure that young man name Floyd will wish he had called the cops instead of shooting his rife. It just goes to show that we as parents need to continuely find out what our children are doing, pray for them and take them to church.
I am praying for both families because one is part of my family.
How come the sherriff’s report only mentions 2 black males in the car? It doesn’t say anything about 2 white females. Just asking because one of the comments below mentions the females being in the car also.
i cant believe that there are people trying to justify this murder. maybe you should put yourself in the other position. he is a teenager and teenagers make bad decisions sometimes. he went to a party that some say he was invited to and others say he wasnt but should his life be taken because of that? NO. im sure that many of the parents that are justifying this murder would feel completely different if theyre child had made the bad decision to go to the wrong party. you say they were looking for trouble. nobody goes somewhere wanting to die so no he did not get what he was looking for idiot. it makes me sick reading some of the things that these people write on here. also this floyd guy obviously did not shoot out of self defense. he shot at a vehicle leaving his house and you say thats self defense? its not. he deserves to rot in jail for the rest of his life
First off let me say…..ROBBIE had no reason shooting and killing my classmate!!! Just because they were black what make YOU people think they had a gun??? They were invited so they felt like they were welcomed just as much as YALL people were. Also, just because we talk, walk, or act a certain way doesnt mean we are not educated! BLack’s have just as much education as White people…if not MORE!!! They didnt have no gun because YALL people say racism is over so why would they even need protection?? YALL need to think before YALL speak!!! Yea we do speak slang and YALL white girls that hang with OUR black boys do too!! HA, watcha gotta say bout dat??? Yea i did it, i spoke slang..i wish YALL might say i am not eduacted YALL dont know me!!! MY heart and prayers go to the BENJAMIN family!!!! Robbie or whatever his name is need to get EVERY punishment in the book!!!
r.i.p getyrone lopez benjamin lane
To tri-county area,
The only way to solve racism is to communicate, but really if we are honest with ourselves racism will never and can never be solved. It’s an issue that has plagued the Americas since the 15th century. In actuality this country was built on racism that is not to condone racism, but really racism can be made into a healthy exercise for society if people would only communicate about the subtlies involved with the interactions of different races. For instance, black kids are raised different than white kids and that does not mean the child rearing of whites is better than blacks or vice versa. It just means there is an obvious difference between every race whether white or black. The solution to the problem is to realize there is not a problem, but a lack of communication because people are afraid to communicate about race. I am a white male and guess what I’m proud to be white and that does not make me a racist, but a proud white man. Society doesn’t need to be colorblind on the contrary people should be proud of their race and color. They should be proud to be black, white, or Hispanic. Silent racism is more dangerous than open racism because silent racism festers and spreads like cancer until it destroys the body and mind. Society has terminal cancer and the cure is to voice your opinions, concerns, and experiences in regards to racism are open and honest. Dialogue is the cure. People want to complain and bicker about who is to blame guess what the person to blame is in the mirror. Yes you and me we are all to blame because we were afraid to speak openly amongst ourselves, while the cancer spread throughout our body. Inaction and fear has only deepened the resolve of racists, but dialogue and communication between whites and blacks about racism can maybe save the lives of our children. Racism is not a white problem nor is it a black problem it’s a human problem and really racism is not a problem that will and can be solved because as humans we are all devils and if you want to try and conquer the unconquerable you must admit that the devil is not racism rather the devil is yourself. And my experiences with people suggest they never change and that’s why racism will never be solved. “I don’t want to kill men for possessing the same weaknesses I possess rather I want to reason with them even if I can’t change their mind.”-Gandhi. I would rather live with men than kill them and that is certainly why some people are still alive.
My condolences to you Mrs. Tracy. I cannot express the level of my sympathy to you and your family at this time…You are a woman of GOD and he will give you the strength to get thru it all. Don’t give up on GOD he knows best…You just have to take it one day at a time. To your children, whom I have GREAT empathy for because I to have lost a sibling. But I cannot imagine the pain you must feel losing a child. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. KEEP YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD AND KNOW THAT JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED….
first off…if you wer’nt there, shut your mouth.well i heard this happened and i heard that happened.shut up…second off…they were not invited to the party, i know, i was there all night.robbie and i have been buds for a long time now, and for as far as i can remember there were maybe 2 blacks to show up INVITED..as for these two, they had it coming for them..tresspassing on private property, showing up uninvited, and asked to leave more than twice. thats considered trespassing. i know robbie and he would have never purposely done this. there was 30 eye wittness that gave there statements but i guess that doesnt matter or the fact that there was over 200 black people susposed to kill everyone in jay last night and burn the place down and that jay had to be put on lock down no one in or out.that doesn’t matter though at all which is bull crap…we all know that were there what really happened so if you werent there shut your mouth you have no idea what really happened and stop listening to she said he said…because the real story is robbie did what was right and what he had to do to protect his friends and family.! but because a WHITE MAN killed a BLACK GUY its automatically the white guys fault come on people you can’t always throw the race card up. bottom line the guys shouldnt have been there and the girls shouldnt have brought them. and this would have never happened. END OF STORY..and to robbie we support and are behind you 100% all the way
I did not want to say this but someone said that Jay is racisist because look how many blacks are in the schools. Well to make this short and sweet you are right, no blacks live in Jay but look at the crime in Jay. There is none what does this tell us.
to all the people that jesus love all people dont matter if they are white or black god love to the family i am sorry for what happen. if i can say anything could help that jesus love u .yes i am from jay .but i live in century all my live.if i can say something that1oo per cent i have is black friend to all of u just want to say i love u .and to the family .praying for u .dont hate me for what they do .just want to say ill be there for if u be there for me.may god bless u all.
I challenge my fellow black people. Who cares about JAY! Lets try to improve ourselves!!!!!! Stop speaking ebonics and learn while you are in school. We have the same chances as ANYONE! Stop living that rap music and thug lifestyle. Dress like you have some sense and stop blaming everyone for your problems. It is common knowledge that the black community does present itself as trouble makers. Martin Luther King would be so ashamed! Use the brains God gave you and do better. Do not continue to sink so low. He said to overcome!!!! Do not blame the white man for your problems. College is there for you! Same as any white child. I challenge you to do BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel we need to pray more and talk less, especially since no one here that I know of is speaking from facts or truth, simply emotion.
Painting with a broad brush about People of Color and/or Residents of Jay is equally wrong and will not solve this crime against all who want a peaceful society in which to live, work, and raise our children.
The Santa Rosa County Sherriffs Department will investigate the facts and justice will work its way through the facts.
In the mean time we all must consider this culture of death that has crept into all communities via violence, drugs, etc
God Has The Answers…
I pray for the Benjamin Family in this needless loss of their young son
and I pray for our communities as we battle not each other but, the image, celebrity,gangster,death culture that discriminates against all races equally and stealing our youth
well I’m not gonna say that either party was at fault because I don’t know the story. That being said I’m from Jay and it really sucks that even if it wasn’t racial… it will become racial because it is Jay. I can’t even wear anything that resembles Jay since I go to college with African Americans and I’m scared that they will think I’m a racist, when I’m not. I love Jay and I hope to live here forever but I just hope people don’t think that everyone from Jay are just Rednecks.
Thank you bill this stupid pretty sure if it was a white guy that got by a black man there would be no claim to racsism and they would say it was100% self defense right…this boy was on private property not welcomed would u feel threathend
Pray for both families
one of the boys in that car was my cousin and they tested him and the other people in the car for gunshot residue and did not find any so there for he fired the shots for no reason!!!!!!!!
In response to “OHHHHHHHHHHHHH”,
I’m glad I’m not the only one who realized this happened in Berrydale and not in the Town of Jay.
Regardless of where it happened, it is causing racial tensions to rise to the surface. Thinking before you act is obviously an act that is
lost on many in this generation of young people. I remember when there was no trouble of this sort…even when we were partying. Young people today need to check their attitudes at the door when they leave to attend any function.
Did I use proper grammar? After all, I am from Jay originally but I no longer reside there. By the way, I happen to have a master’s degree. I guess the criticism of a person’s grasp on the english language and correct usage, doesn’t apply to all who post at this site. Check your own back yard before you judge other people.
if blacks arent welcome in jay why do some of yall ?EDUCATED? jay people hang out with them if yall didnt they wouldnt have been there!!! and maybe they they dont talk like you we dont talk like yall rednecks which in my opinion is just as worse rednecks style is cowboy boots pants that come up to your bellybutton so maybe blacks have a different style so do yall!
It’s always impressive how facts aren’t needed to have opinions. We believe what we believe and discount what we don’t believe.
I can’t read minds and was not there and wouldn’t have been there (need my beauty sleep), so I don’t know what was said or what was going through possibly impaired minds. Sometimes I can’t even read the intent of some of the commenters, illiteracy on my part, no doubt.
The law supposedly justifying what happened doesn’t seem to do so but then, I’m no lawyer and not good at twisting words.
If your family were in a car with other people and you knew for a fact someone in that car was shooting somewhere, would you shoot toward that car, knowing you might hit your own beloved?
I wonder if the one who died would have lived if they had gone to Jay Hospital rather than through East Brewton and Brewton.
Is drinking really a good thing for anybody?
David wondering what facts will come to be known
There is so much more to this story. There is just no way this boy got killed because he was black, even if they were in JAY. It’s just very strange that these boys even went to that party, whether they were carrying a gun or not, which no one actually knows besides the people who were actually INVOLVED. All this speculating you folks are doing is pointless. I hate that this whole event occurred, but I am very curious as to what other details might emerge on this story. Meanwhile, I think everyone should give both parties the benefit of the doubt here, and just pray for both of those boys’ families. Because the only thing I know for sure about what I have I read is that this is TRAGIC.
God Bless.
On Saturday Feb 27 approximately 1:00 a.m.i got a disturbing phone call saying ” Gus Has Been Killed”. I didn’t know how to react at the moment about the news. As I got myself together and realized it was true the tears began to flow. Now, my question to you. How do you think his mother,father, sister and brothers felt? That was a painful phone call! The four individuals were invitied to a party not knowing their presence would be an issue. However, it was an issue for two of the guys. They were asked to leave the premises. As driving away shots were fired and Gus was hit. “Supposably” a handgun was involved. I don’t understand why the police wasn’t called immediately and handled in a mature way. Since it wasn’t there’s a death of a young man. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I HAVE A DREAM” speech still haven’t change the lives of certain individuals. My heart and prayers goes out to the Benjamin & Lane Family. May God Gives You The Strength To Hold Your Head Up High. Justice Will Be Served…. R.I.P. GeTyron Lopez Lane Benjamin WE LOVE YOU!!!
God knows the truth about what happen, at a time like this people needs to turn to God and let him lead them into the right path, God will let the truth out, only if people will let GOD take control.. My heart goes out to GUS’s parents and family, to deal with their lost, and my heart goes out to The Floyd Family, that mom, dad, and family is hurting too.. These 2 families needs prayer, so that’s what we-ALL need to do.
Benjamin was invited to the party and was with 2 or so white females from Jay. They should have known not to go there knowing how some people would react. I don’t think this was self-defense because if Floyd felt threatned by the person who pulled their gun he wouldn’t have waited until the vehicle was “pulling” off to fire his gun or react in any other way. I think everyone needs to get there story straight that was there to witness all this so justice can be served, Benjamin’s family deserves that much. By floyd calling the police after the incidence happened was just a cover-up for his drunken mistake. R.I.P Benjamin & god bless his family.
For those of you who failed to understand my words I will say it plainer. I do not believe all parents raise their boys or daughters to be racist in Jay. However, I have lived in Santa Rosa County for a very long time and, while there are some awesome people in Jay, there is also some very sad racism still running rampant.
So, no Mr. 2nd Amendment, I am not delusional. I also have a bit more facts rather than the rampant speculation. Like this was not a “group of men” riding around looking to a party. It was two young men and two young women. The women were white. Also, from what I have learned one of the women were shot. The women were invited to the party and brought the young men. Obviously Mr. Floyd took objection to it. They got in their car and left and Mr. Floyd fired at the retreating car. The boy was shot in the back. That is far from a self defense inflicted wound. So for those of you clinging to the asinine “Make my day” law, not going to happen unless the state attorney and the judge is crooked. There is also no proof there was a gun. It is alleged. Yet no guy has turned up. If a gun was fired, they can show proof by getting residue from the hands of those on the scene. But I have to wonder why it is you all are so fired up and ready to believe the young black man had a gun.
So let’s deal with facts. Two young black men and two young white women show up to a party. They were asked to leave. They got in their car to leave and were shot at. Rather than call the law Mr. Floyd determined it was more appropriate to shoot at them. Two of them were injured, one died. And in this state if you shoot someone it is 25 years to life. Seems there will possibly be more than one charge for Mr. Floyd. And it is tragic. For all concerned.
Maybe some people will stop and think tonight about the needlessness. Maybe someone will decide killing another person because they showed up black is stupid.
This is becoming ridiculous to say the least. To answer your question about the Floyd boy possibly being killed. He wasn’t!! If he had been shot, well there would have been a different type of investigation. However, it seems he was the ONLY one with a “proven” gun. I don’t know how anyone from Jay can say he acted in self-defense when he shot numerous times into a vehicle that was leaving. What was he defending? The boys from Brewton were leaving like they had been asked to do. There was no sense in Floyd “unloading” his gun into Benjamin’s car. Why? Apparently, he was either trying to act “big” and “bad” in front of his other friends and possibly the girl that invited the boys to the party in Jay. I agree the boys shouldn’t have been in Jay knowing the mentality of the people there. I guess they figured maybe this racist behavior had changed, but apparently not. Because of this backward racist mentality, now there is a dead boy and another that should spend the rest of his life behind bars. Oh, and forget about the “make my day” law. This only pertains to a “true” self-defense act. What was he defending?…….a speeding car trying to leave the scene and get back to Brewton??
wow sorrowful is right i know where robbieshouse is why didnt hey go to jay hospital? idk maybe cause they wanted to get rid of a gun that they had there is no way robbie pulled a gun first. he would have fought both the black dudes beforehe shot one.
Just a? keeps asking about their previous inquiry: “Just a question to anyone willing to give a honest answer…This is for those that justify it as self defense, those that say it was racist and all in b/t What if Floyd would have been the one killed that night?”
If your question is only to those that justify it as self defense, those that say it was racist and all ……you are not going to get an honest answer, because it is human nature (regardless of color) to justify one’s own self, instead of facing the real Truth. For Truth is Light, and most do not want that Light to expose the darkness that is within them.
I do not fall into the category of those to whom you directed your question. However, I can tell you where all the hate comes from, even among those who say they are not racist, black or white. It comes from a “root of bitterness.” Even if one is unaware of it’s existence (thinking they have “taken care of it,”) It WILL spring up, until it is rooted out and put to death by Water and Fire, for it is of the earth, and the winds of bitterness cause it to flame up, a plant of anger and hate. Just as it is written:
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any “root of bitterness” springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled……….”Hebrews 12:15
MY POINT IS IF IT WAS A HATE CRIME OR NOT ITS STILL A CRIME
MURDER IS MURDER AND THE BOYS LIFE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TOOK
ESPECIALLY WHEN HE WAS DRIVEING AWAY POSTING NO THREAT TO THE OTHER PERSON !!!!
I MAY NIT HAVE BEEN THERE BUT I KNOW I WAS BROUGHT UP RITE AND I KNOW THE REPUTATION OF JAY AND PEOPLE IT DOES NOT SIT RITE WITH ME !!!
MAY GOD BE WITH BOTH FAMILIES AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS !!!!
This is an awful tragic event that occured in the small town of Jay. Everyone has there on opinion on this tragedy. But why all the hatred, a life was lost and another is punishe maybe for life to. Yes everyone know that back in the old days no blacks were allowed in jay unless you were picking cotton. Our older generation of people has taught the new generation to be racist this is my opinion even if he was invited or not they were in the car leaving dont shoot at them and if they were shooting randomly at the party someone or something would have got shot to dont you think. alchol probably did play a big factor in this or even drugs who knows. i wish jay was not like this i do not want my kids to learn this type of behavior from anyone. everyone white black mexican etc. are the same we all have red blood and believe in the same god. and whoever you are that said something about people in brewton need to use a dictionary that we use grow up every one including us talks different think about it. matter of fact everyone needs to grow up in jay what if it was your white son who got shot in brewton.
YES IM FROM A SMALL TOWN JUST LIKE JAY
BUT THANKFUL MY MOM TOUGHT ME JUDGE ON THE FACTS YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PERSON NOT BECAUSE OF COLOR , GENDER , & ETC.!!!!!
DOES ANYONE THINK ABOUT THE THING WE LEARNED IN KINDERGARDEN YOU GUYS KNOW THE GOLDEN RULE
“DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU”
PEOPLE NEED TO STOP AND THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING WE DONT KNO WHAT ALL HAPPENED SO HOW CAN YOU JUDGE IM NOT TAKEN UP FOR NO ONE BUT I DO KNOW THE BOYS LIFE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ITS A TRADGEIC EVENT N IM PRAYING FOR BOTH THE FAMILY AND FLOYD
MAY GOD BE WITH YAWL AND JUSTICE BE DONE !!!
omg!!!!!this is so sad and crazy you go to a bonfire and you get shot to death while your there…hmmmm there is something fishy about this” – OMG!!!!!!
Yes, “OMG,” there is something fishy here… Such as why a group of men who were not invited, trespassed onto private property, were obviously carrying weapons, at an obscene hour of the morning.
Why did they have a gun? Why did they feel they needed to drive from Brewton to Jay in order to break up this specific party? Seems to me like they knew exactly what they were doing – and irresponsible in doing such.
It’s one thing to crash a party; it’s another thing to crash a party with a pistol.
FIRST OF ALL WHOEVER WROTE THIS IS AN IDIOT. U DNT KNO WHAT UR TALKIN ABOUT. AND EVEN IF THEY HAD A PISTOL ITS NOT ILLEGAL TO HAVE ONE. AND THEY WERE INVITED BY A FRIEND. SO GET UR FACTS STRAIGHT! RIP GUS
Has anyone figured out the answer to my question? Anyone honest enough to answer?
and to MS MICHELLE I have to respond to your post! its obvious you just woke up today and had a urged to talk out of your butt!!!! His mother did raise him right because if she did not he never would have made the attempt to leave. He would have stayed and agrued and fussed about him having the right to be there because HE WAS INVITED !!! you have no idea what family values that are bestowed within Gus, but its obvious your mother should have taken a little bit more time with you, !!
I do not want anyone to misunderstand my previous post. Where these have the words “black” or “white”, one can place any color they want there. The message will still be the same. Thank you
I slept. I dreamed. I seemed to climb a great ascending tract, but right behind me, labored one whose face was black. I pitied him, but hour by hour, he gained upon my path, until, at last, in anger, I turned on him in wrath. Go back, black man, what right have you to stand beside here? But, suddenly, I stopped, struck dumb with fear. For, lo, the black man was not there. But, in his place, stood Christ. And, oh, the pain, the pain, the pain, that showed on that dear face………………… by Anonymous
I slept. I dreamed. I seemed to climb a great ascending tract, but right behind me, labored one whose face was white. I pitied him, but hour by hour, he gained upon my path, until, at last, in anger, I turned on him in wrath. Go back, white man, what right have you to stand beside here? But, suddenly, I stopped, struck dumb with fear. For, lo, the white man was not there. But, in his place, stood Christ. And, oh, the pain, the pain, the pain, that showed on that dear face………………… by Anonymous
the point of this article is that death is upon..in all areas of escambia county. Death within our hearts and our communties…Post are appearing on “why was he there,did he have a gun,why wasnt he taken to Jay’s hospital” QUESTIONS THAT DO NOT MATTER!!!! THE FACTS ARE: he was an un armed 18 year-old man with his back turned away from a gun that wounded him! who cares if it wasnt the fatal shot!!! it was a shot that did not have to be…no ideas have formed how one person has taken a person that was a son, a nephew, a cousin, a friend, a brother a PERSON away from people who were in love with this person, a person who put a smile on any one’s face when ever he was seen… does any one care about the devastion that has been caused!!!!!! Justice will be granted on behalf of my family. I could care less if it was a HATE crime or not, I know it was am crime!!! a crime motivated by thoughts i am sure were not intended for death never the less death has occured. regardless of what may have been said this is true: JUSTICE will be granted
First of all it is what it is…ummm excuse me miss backing “JAY UP”…I will be to happy to give u a dictionary with “SLANG ” words in it so that i can educate your behind..don’t get it twisted…black ppl can speak correctly u juz mad cuz..because u don’t understand it..that jay folks..”laugh out loud everybody’…You are pathic and racist to other languages …what does any of this have to do with what really happened…nothing!Point blank jay has always been racist and all ways will…wonder why there aren’t any blacks living there…if they do they must be a fool!If u asked someone to leave and they were why the hell didn’t u just call the police first instead of taken matters into your on hands…but its ok cuz cause god sees all..enough said R.I.P. GUS!!!!!!!!!!!
WUT IS WRON WID PPL? THIS I CRZY MAN. YO, I KNEW THE PPL INVOLVED AND THAT IS WACK. MAN, ANYWAYS I HOPE EVERYTHING GOES OK. I THINK IT WAS WRONG THAT EVERYONE DONT LIKE BLACKS IN JAY. WE AINT ALL DAT BAD.
I would just like to send out a prayer to everyone involved. This is a tough situation. Just know that the Lord has a plan!
Check out this quote from a Jay person earlier. I am from Jay, but the hypocracy in this statement makes me sick!!! In the first sentence “there” should be “their”, in the third sentence “us Jay folks” should be “We Jay folks”, the fourth sentence is ended with a preposition, and the capitalization and punctuation is wacky throughout! We should not make fun of one another’s dialects. That is not the issue here. But certainly if you are going to make fun of someone’s dialect, you might want to consult Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style” first, to keep from completely embarassing yourself. Why do you let it bother you how someone wears there pants anyway, that must be a boring life. In my opinion the Jay people’s grammar and word choice on this forum has been far too atrocious to cast judgement on others. “could of” appears frequently in place of “could’ve”, and “was” is constantly being used in place of “were”. Let’s use this forum as a place to discuss our future and solutions, rather than using it as a place to mock one another.
This is the quote I am referring to…
SO TRUE, there language is pathetic!…..They talk like thugs…& us Jay folks do have great educations! atleast we don’t walk around holding our pants up…GET A FREAKING BELT!! talking like yoyo whad up, gangsta in tha house fo sho dawg up in tha house fo shizle dizzle, what the heck is that suppose to mean???????
Well, the ? was never answered. I will say this until u can answer that question u should not post…b/c either way u look at it u have to think would your feelings be different.. 99% chance ones feelings would change but why? Who knows?
Really? You people are really going to sit here and talk about this being a racist act and how Jay is such a racist town? Do none of you see that regradless of his race, he was someones FAMILY! Even if the circumstances would have put the other boy behind the gun, it would be the exact same situation. Its still someones loved one. Someones flesh and blood. Think about how you would feel. And think about how much worse his poor family must feel with everyone blaming it on his race. Don’t pass the blame you guys, just see it for what it is. A horrible and tragic loss. My prayers go out to this boys family. Both boys families actually. Because now not only is ones death being blamed on race, but the others family is being tagged ‘racist’.
To JM, seriously everyone remembers the sign even though it might have been a long time ago. its something people of the area dont forget. if the sign had still been up then maybe this wouldnt have happened. and once again jay is a very racist place. and no one can say differently.
Maggie,
I know for a fact that children do not always reflect the values of their parents. Nor do they always heed what they are taught. Or, one parent may teach a child good and right things, and the other parent teach (if only by example) differently. Please don’t add to those parents’ pain. Because it does hurt……….deeply!
Whoever wrote “Educated From Jay” should feel AWFUL about yourself! You just proved how racist Jay really is. Gus is now dead because of somebody like you. And not all white people are racist. It’s just these REDNECKS! Yall think black people are crazy.. rednecks are the ones that are crazy!!!!!! seriously i cant believe you would say something like that after a tragedy like this just happened. Even though i wasn’t there and i do not know the story, Self defense or not, when you end somebodys LIFE you need to have some type of punish. But i know that he will have to live with the fact that he killed an innocent 18 year old for the rest of his life. REST IN PEACE GUS I LOVE YOU!
I slept. I dreamed. I seemed to climb a great ascending tract, but right behind me, labored one whose face was black. Hour by hour, he gained upon my path, until, at last, in anger, I turned on him in wrath. Go back, black man, what right have you to stand beside here? But, suddenly, I stopped, struck dumb with fear. For, lo, the black man was not there. But, in his place, stood Christ. And, oh, the pain, the pain, the pain, that showed on that dear face………………… by Anonymous
its so sad the way you people are posting comments like this ,this is the time when we all should be on our bending knees praying because like obama said it time for a change you all would never make it into heaven with all the hate in your heart.
Why would any black want to go to a party in Jay? That’s jus trouble!! Even though the guy that got shot wasn’t doing any harm, he shouldn’t have been there period
To Broken Heart Brewton; Remember a black policeman from Atmore chased a young white man 7 miles into Florida and shot him in the back of the head and it was ruled justified.
it’s a shame you darn rednecks are about 50 yrs behind the times…ever heard of equality ??Kids learn this kind of behavior from thier parents and why do these kids even have guns on them ??..good job parents !!
I’m from brewton and gus is my 1st cousin.and I hope the person that took his life at 18.be locked up for the rest of his LIFE…
I go to the doctor in Jay. Should I be worried about my safety when I go to my appointment this week?
I have a chronic disease and need my medication. It would be a shame for someone totally and completely uninvolved in this tragedy to be deprived of necessary medication because of the ill-advised actions of a few others who are totally and completely uninvolved in this.
What a shame that in this day and time, we are even having this discussion. Shame on all of those who are taking such racist sides in this. It shouldn’t be racist. It should only be saddened that someone has lost his life and another may lose his to incarceration due to the impulsive actions from the heat of the moment.
I am praying for all of us in this horrible situation, not just those directly involved but all the rest of us who are being affected even though we don’t seem to share the racist views of many of the others here.
Just a question to anyone willing to give a honest answer…This is for those that justify it as self defense, those that say it was racist and all in b/t What if Floyd would have been the one killed that night?
It is very unfortunate that someone lost their life. My opinion, based on what everyone else here has said, is that a tragic ACCIDENT occured!!! And just for the record, everyone else’s comments are just opinions as well because you were not there so you do not know the FACTS. I think if Floyd wanted to point blank kill Gus, he would have aimed for him as he ran away instead of firing shots randomly into the air or at the car. I feel like its pretty safe to say he’s a pretty avid hunter and his aim is pretty good. Also theres the part where someone says Gus was shot as the car was driving off, this means he was sitting in the vehicle surrounded by other people, the car was moving, etc….there’s NO WAY that was intentional people. The bullet could have hit ANYONE in that vehicle. Who cares where this happened and what color the person was it happened to?!?!?!?! IT HAPPENED!!!!! WE are not to judge or lay blame on punish! Its perfectly ok to be upset and mad but it’s GOD’s place to sort it out!
I am appalled at the stupidity that is being displayed here! Some of you make me ashamed to be a part of the tri-city community. Again, the facts are simple: a young man is dead and another is in jail for murder. We were not there and do not know what happened.
I can think of a situation in which a fleeing vehicle could still inspire fear in me: if shots were being fired from that vehicle. Perhaps they were. Perhaps they weren’t. Again, since we weren’t there, we don’t know.
Why is it that so many people seem to be mind readers and purport to know what was in the mind of any of those involved? Funny that you can’t read minds for anything else. How come you suddenly gained that ability now?
It may have been racially motivated and it may not have been. Even if we were there, we may not have known if it really was.
I can understand asking and then telling someone to leave if I did not want them there. Whether I agree with it or not, I also have to admit that if he didn’t want them there because they were black, that would be his right as the property owner. If the deceased was invited by someone other than the property owner and host of the party…….he had no right to be there. The correct response to being asked to leave would have been “Ok, I’m leaving. Have a good night.” It would NOT have been to argue nor would it have been to pull a gun.
We do not live in the Wild West. We live in modern day times and as such, we have a responsibility to behave appropriately.
And for the lady who said that she lives in fear as a black woman in the South, I live in fear all the time as a WOMAN in the South. It’s not because of race. It’s because of what our society has become: violent, cowardly and dishonest.
Everybody needs to take a step back and a nice deep breath before this goes any further and people on all sides of the issue get hurt. It’s bad enough that someone has already lost his life. Let’s not cause anyone else to lose his in addition.
I am from jay and we r a very racist town!! and I am very ashamed of wut happened!!
floyd is one of my friends and I know he would never do that unless it was for a good cause!!
well I pray for the family!!
always has been ——– Jay has always been a strange little town. I was born in the mid 60’s and they think they are just a bit better than most. Oh, that’s the people who got lucky and found some oil money. The most important thing is to drive an expensive vehicle, build a big house and stick your nose up in the air. Now on the other side, you have your poor people and they are the ones the preachers, and teachers try to ignore. Just a shady little town. They don’t realize how silly that place really is and how people laugh at it!!
+++++++++++++++++++
YOUR JUST A PLAIN OUT……. IDIOT…YOUR JUST JEALOUS YOU WERE NOT WELCOME IN THE TOWN.. GIVE US YOUR NAME & I BET WE WILL CALL YOU OUT…..HA! WE ARE HARD WORKING PEOPLE IN JAY…CAN’T FIND A WHOLE LOT ON WELFARE!!
I would just like to ask what race crimes have we been committing.Yes we have white girls that date other races and we dont going around trying to kill anyone.This was a remote incident and people threatining each other is what got us where we have to talk about this now.If he did something wrong he will pay for it but threatning a town to go shoot them up over this really.People need to grow up this will work its self out and everyone needs to stop basing this on the whole town of Jay.How long have Jay and Brewton been here and to act like this is a growing problem is a stretch when its just one incident.
Just to let all of you people know it did not happen in Jay !!!! it happned in Berrydale which is just as close to brewton than it is to jay you all need to get your story strait !!! And who ever said that jay thinks their better than everyone is crazy we work hard for what we have and are proud of it
This is only for those who say they are Christians:
On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He waits for us to work out what He suffered and died to give us.
It is written, “Let God be True, and every man a liar.” In view of these Truths, I hope all will click on the following, for we can know, “His Word is true.” His, was The First Word, and His, will be the Last Word. We can count on that:
1 John 4:20
Matthew 5:39
Luke 6:29
John 13:35
Luke 6:46
To “NOT SURPRISED” yes WE are an “A” school and you need to read some posts from your fellow neighbors like NESHA(BARBIE) who not only does not make sense but seems to be rambling. Just to enlighten or EDUCATE you and the other uneducated Alabama folks : Dats- Thats
KUZ- Because
INICENT- Innocent
OVA- Over
KNO- Know
I looked these up in a JAY dictionary and funny thing is I could not find the language you all mumble so I thought I would enlighten you. Maybe you all need to BUY a dictionary or if you cannot afford it go to the library its free and educate yourself before you speak because speaking like you do only makes you look and sound foolish and very uneducated!
________________________________________________
SO TRUE, there language is pathetic!…..They talk like thugs…& us Jay folks do have great educations! atleast we don’t walk around holding our pants up…GET A FREAKING BELT!! talking like yoyo whad up, gangsta in tha house fo sho dawg up in tha house fo shizle dizzle, what the heck is that suppose to mean???????
I’m standing behind the Floyd’s 100%..Protect your own!!
I have lived here in Jay all my life, and I have 2 sons that I have raised the best I can and I do not appreciate anyone saying the boys here in Jay are raised anyother way than the right way. You have warned parents to keep their daughters away from Jay boys well maybe Brewton parents sould keep their sons away from Jay girls. Sounds to me like someone came looking for trouble or to prove a point and I don’t think it was the boys from Brewton it was the young lady from Jay. Yes, Jay our town. So instead of coming here to hurt people not involved look for her and take it all out on her she is the one who got the young guy killed took him right out there and set him up. SHE KNEW BETTER! I can say this because I know her. I really do hate this for both families and prayers will be with them.
I still dont understand why they didnt take the young man to Jay hosp. If my buddy was dieing in the car i wouldnt care where i was. Unless of course i had some REASON to go all the way back to brewton first.
I would like people to read the comments and take notice of the mentality of SOME, not all, of the people that saying they are from Jay. And then compare them with the comments from the people of Brewton, which I am from. ITS TIME OUT FOR THE BS! ITS 2010, NOT 1950!!
Prayers to the family of Gus.
I am compelled to write something in reference to all the comments posted on the website. My first question to everyone is: “WHAT YEAR IS THIS?” There are far worse things going on in the world right now, than what is being said on this page. I live in Brewton most of my life until I went in to the military 16 years ago, have experienced things good and bad growing up in Alabama. Seen the things I never imagined, been places that have put my life in danger, so you can take time to write the ignorant comments I am viewing. The bottom line is only the people at the party really knows what happened. Everyone quit speculating! One person has lost his life and another has the potential to lose his, he is innocent until proven guilty, whether you agreee with it or not. What everyone needs to do is stop embarrassing themselves by making comments about something they no nothing about and focus on the reality that someone has died a horrendous death. Are we as a people (black and white) going to learn from this tragic situation? or are we going to continue to embarrass ourselves by posting comments that show your ignorance. I feel so sorry for the Benjamin and Floyd families respectively. My prayers are with you Gus in heaven…If you haven’t paid attention to anything that I have said then I hope you take this: TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON LIFE! TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED TO ANYONE! TAKE TIME TO GET ON YOUR KNEES AND THANK GOD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS!
Wow first what were the black dudes thinkin i graduated from jay an have black friends they have told me they dont go into jay at night especialy after dark. just like the white people from jay dont go into their neighbor hoods after dark if they went thru there at 2 in the morning with a big jacked up 4-wheel drive an refused to leave someones party everyone knows what will happen. i know robbie an have been to parties at his house if someone comes uninvited black or white he will ask them to leave maybe he doesnt want them there cause any black people that will go to a party in jay at 12 at night are just looking for trouble. think about this there was a huge party full of white people in jay before this how many of you black people would go especialy with out protection. guns get pulled when someones scared robbie would have fought them long before he started shooting if he was pulling a gun then there was one pulled on him first. if they were leaving he would let them go unless shots were fired first. so where is the gun that the black people have? there is a bridge right before you get into brewton over a RIVER still wondering where the gun is. Robbie is a good guy he doesnt deserve to be talked about the you people are. as for the family of the one decesed im sorry for your loss but he probably wasnt the little angel you think he is.
he was asked to leave so he should have leftand yes jay is a A school were not just abunch of retards like everybody thinks we are
To “NOT SURPRISED” yes WE are an “A” school and you need to read some posts from your fellow neighbors like NESHA(BARBIE) who not only does not make sense but seems to be rambling. Just to enlighten or EDUCATE you and the other uneducated Alabama folks : Dats- Thats
KUZ- Because
INICENT- Innocent
OVA- Over
KNO- Know
I looked these up in a JAY dictionary and funny thing is I could not find the language you all mumble so I thought I would enlighten you. Maybe you all need to BUY a dictionary or if you cannot afford it go to the library its free and educate yourself before you speak because speaking like you do only makes you look and sound foolish and very uneducated!
@ Anonymous . That statute will not hold up in this case because the Benjamin was leaving and no longer presented a danger to Floyd nor his guests.
ok ok… you stupid people sayin that this is racism is retarded. i mean as many people have said “its not beacause he was black!” if a white dude would have came and did the same as the brewton boys done, well the same outcome would have happend. i mean think about it people if someone pulled a gun on you, are you just gonna stand there and let them shoot you?? umm hell no.. and i dont know anyone that would.. well maybe some are dumb enuff to just stand there, after reading alot of theses posts i see that there are actually alot of idiots .and u know maybe if robbie hadnt done what he did, then he or anyone else at the party could have been shot and killed.. im not sayin that anyone deserved to die either.. i feel sorry for both families and freinds, but what i am sayin is that this is not a hate crime.. could have very easily been a white guy just the same. so please about this being a hate crime , because its not you freakin idiots.
woweee on February 28th, 2010 10:29 am
William…… The police found several rifle casing did they find any hand gun casings?
If the supposed handgun that was produced by one of the 4 people from Brewton was a revolver there would not be any shell casings to find, unless he emptied and reloaded, which is not likely.
BRANDON, MATT, CHiCKEN, ANdd tEREZ im so sorry about what happened keep yo head uhp!!!
Okay everyone stop for a minute close your eyes. Then say ,”What if this was my son that just got killed.” Feel the hurt and pain. And now open your eyes and have some compassion. Now close your eyes . Then say,”What if this was my son that just killed someone.” Feel the hurt and pain. Now open your eyes and have some compassion. For nothing good has come from this one young man is dead and the other well his life is going to be ruined one way or the other. You people do not have all the facts so do not believe everything that is on this site. Because you are not these 2 young men. Let the law have time to get all the facts before you make up your minds.
I think it is Bush’s fault. Just sayin’.
First of all.,, everybody dats taken up for d
the killer is WRONG kuz we all know it’s racism!!! The man is guilty and deserved to suffer! He killed my boy Gus!!! A 18 year old who was inicent and yea he shoulda left when told but he didn’t deserve for his life to be ended ova Racism!!! So y’all say what u want but everybody kno Gus was the truth and long live G Swagg Ily my boy!!! And for his family And Brandon,Chicken,Matt,Terez and Gerald yall stay up!!!! R.I.P Getyron
@Michelle, he was raised right. For you to say the things that you are saying, where you raised right. But forget all the name blaming. Two people has lost their lives, one is dead and one is behind bars. It is praying time for both families, not all of this name blaming stuff. My thing is, why he didn’t call the police from the start if they had pulled out a handgun supposedly. No matter what nobody else says God has all the answers.
Come on people…..shootings happen in pensacola and mobile everyday. you never hear the word RACIST then. What’s the difference now….now people are saying the people from Jay are just RACIST because a white guy killed a black guy! You people need to get with the program and see the BIG picture and wait til ALL of the facts come out instead of “ASSUMING” things! We all know what that will do, Right!?!?!? (Make an “A@#” out ot “U” and “ME”) (ASS-U-ME)
To the Jay Christian, It doesn’t matter whether he neant to shoot and kill the boy or not, he did. The boy can not be brought back to his family and love ones. I just can’t look at this as a mistake because it seemed he was to quick to grab a gun and shoot him. I am white and I use to be very racist, but I learned as I got older that it was not right. Have you thought just by the Grace of God you could have been black. Our color does not make any of us superior over anyone. I agree there are people in Flomaton, Century, Atmore that are racist. It just seems from being around Jay people (and lots of them) they think they are better than black people. Well, I got news for all of you we are all equal, reguardless of our color.God made us all, and I surely do not think he is no respect of color.I think instead of throwing accusations at each other we need to pray for both families involved.
The only thing I want to say, Is that if they where leaving why did he have to keep shooting. No matter what was said the truth will come out in court. Yes people are mad right now, and they have the right to be because a life has been taken. No matter what the race is, someone is still dead. He wanted them to leave his property and they did leave. We have to leave it in the hands of the law. Also, I want to say to the one’s that keep talking about the blacks that live in Jay. So what they live there, do they get those neighborly greetings from their neighbors, we don’t know we just know that they live somewhere in Jay. But that still does not make Jay a racist town. When you don’t what black people there then to me it is racist. I know that people what to make it a black and white situation, but we have to really find out what the facts are, before jumping to conclusions. I just want all of us to pray for both families, because that is what’s needed instead of all these accusations.
When blacks have identity it is called pride.
When indians have identity it is called culture.
When jews have identity it is called history.
When whites have identity it is called racism.
TO MICHILLE… WOW YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BRING HIS MOTHER INTO THIS… HIS MOTHER IS A GOOD CHRISTIAN WOMAN… EVERYONE ON HERE NEEDS TO SHUT UP.. THIS IS GETTIN REDICULOUS…. LIKE I SAID BEFORE HE WAS THERE WITH HIS WHITE GIRL FRIEND… SHE INVITED HIM.. HOW WOULD HE KNO WHERE TO GO? THANK YOU.. WHATS SO SAD THAT IS THE WHITE BOY MORE THAN LIKELY WILL WALK… I PERSONALLY THINK HE DESERVES TO DIE FOR KILLING SOMEONE.. BLACK OR WHITE.. SOUNDS LIKE THE WHITE BOY WAS MAD THAT THE WHITE GIRL WAS WITH THEM..
Why are people saying its because of race? The guy got shot because he was on someone elses property, pulling guns, and uninvited…I’m not saying he got what he deserved…but he was asking for it.. He should have just stayed away, but he didn’t..and now look what happened! I’m not defending Robert, but people really need to stop saying its because of race. White people aren’t the only racist people out there…blacks are too.
Jay has always been a strange little town. I was born in the mid 60’s and they think they are just a bit better than most. Oh, that’s the people who got lucky and found some oil money. The most important thing is to drive an expensive vehicle, build a big house and stick your nose up in the air. Now on the other side, you have your poor people and they are the ones the preachers, and teachers try to ignore. Just a shady little town. They don’t realize how silly that place really is and how people laugh at it!!
lord help because if the shoe was on the other feet what people of jaywould say. and to let every one know just lat go and let god because he is the only one tat can work it out for the good.
P.I.P GUS WE WILL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!
this was terrible thing to happen they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. gus was a good guy and everyone should send up a prayer for him and his family. R.I.P GUS we love you.
William…… The police found several rifle casing did they find any hand gun casings?
One thing is apparent here….. Jay people, please purchase a dictionary!!!!!!!!! Did you say Jay High is an “A” school?
The town of Jay may not be racist, but many of the people within it are. If you claim not to be racist, then answer how many blacks or any other ethnic groups attend school, work, church, or even live there. If your can count them on your hands, then you have a problem. If people want to prove that they are not racist then change thier preception. Regardless, Gus did not deserve to die. If I read the report correctly, they were leaving when Floyd fired the shots. Floyd should be punished, maybe not by the government here, but God will certainly punish him and any other injustices that may occur. I pray for God’s kingdom to come and for him to fix all of mankind’s problems.
If it was any other town there would not be this much “racist” comments. But because it happened in Jay people just assume that we are. I guess people havent realized that there are black people living in the town of JAY!
I agree with some of you… It could of been a WHITE man walk up and if he wasnt invited Robbie would of asked them to leave too. I have witnessed him asking a WHITE guy to leave cause he wasnt.. so yall can quit pulling the racism card cause its BS!!! Robbie is a good guy and like a brother to me and is trying to protect those he loves!
Reguardless of the circumstances, if you believe that it is ever okay to kill someone to protect your property. Then you are nowhere near knowing Jesus as your Lord. That is the exact opposite mindset of Jesus. And if you are o. This forum defending the taking of a life, then I certainly hope that you do not claim to be a Christian, because you are making the rest of us look bad. God’s law over-rides man’s law! “Love your enemies” and “Turn the other cheek” are not vague. As Christians, we are to be meek and humble and always protect the sanctity of life!
I’m not saying that people don’t make mistakes, I don’t honestly believe Robby meant to kill this person, however if you are a man or woman of God, it is your RESPONSIBILITY to advocate peace and to recognize ungodly behavior when it arises. If you aren’t passionate enough about God to be a give him everything, even if it means getting stepped on once in a while. Then u don’t know him. (Rememer, Jesus got walked all over, and humiliated. And we are certainly no
better than him!)
The racism and defense of it, on this board proves this could very well be hate crime. There is no way you can be afraid of someone driving away. Wish I were this prosecuting this case. Sounds more like an altercation gone wrong and a fool showing off, now someone is dead. Racism or not he’s gonna do some time for this.
The address says Jay probably because it goes through the Jay post office. The incident happened much closer to Berrydale.
It was just a bad equation: Young people + Alcohol + Stupidity = Tragedy.
I just want to know, if they were leaving and if shots were fired while leaving (pulling off in the car) why didn’t Floyd go for cover instead of trying to retaliate and shoot back? He prob was being talked about from his so called friends about the girl & then asked them to leave. Lets get some real times here. How long after they were there, did he ask them to leave.? Did Floyd really have a thing for the girl that the boy was talking to? Can somebody call CSI. This is too big for the small town PDs. Where did they start shooting at? Were there gun shells there. even if they got rid of the gun. Lets check the shells for fingerprints. Lets pull of all the hard evidence, not just what she say or he say!! GOD HELP BOTH FAMILIES & MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!!
okay, i just gotta comments on this crap. I have sat back and read all of these trashy comments from all you trashy people. first you all know that the new isn’t going to print the TRUE story, and second this story doesn’t even sound right!! You people don’t even know what the real story was…he WAS invited by one of the participants of the party and the only reason it was a problem was because they were BLACK and the party was majority WHITE. Face it Jay has no business to be racist or anybody else for that matter. NOBODY is better than anybody. And this “ROBERT LOYD” needs to quit his lying if he didn’t fire back then how do we have a dead body guys??? THINK!! They chased those guys back to brewton, alabama and that is coming from the driver and passengers. Those guys had NO right to chase those people for NOTHING. And for the record true enough SOME blacks are more racists than whites but you WHITE people are still teaching your kids to be racist when they come here!!! So why can’t we teach ours? FAIR IS FAIR. But of course we shouldn’t be like that though but it is what it is. Jay needs to be banished.
What were the circumstaces leading up to a young Black youth (18) years old being killed? I don’t know but the word circulating is they went to a party in Jay- well maybe it’s okay to go- afterall we know these people- it’s not like they are KKK. These are people we see and talk to and it’s not the year 2 010. Now, suddenly, the (2) Black boys are asked to leave a party they were invited to attend. Not just asked to leave but told told. The boys did not pull a weapon but jumped in there cars to leave. The assailanat shot at a leaving vehicle. Robert perhaps call the police because if I get my hand caught in cookie jar I will squeal fisrt or perhaps he had a strike of conscious; nevertheless, Gus is still just as dead. Tell me that it wasn’t racist motivated. I replayed what happen to say this- Both these young men mother’s are hurting and need prayer. Unlike James J who coments are bordering on come on let’s fight; we have guns. That’s crazy!!! And, regardless of what color the skin, we are all God’s creations and once we accept God we are his children. His children are known by the love we have for others. Love build up and not destroy. Satan is the catalyst for all racism. Over power him and receive Jesus Christ as your savior. Serve a God who tells us to forgive others and gave us the two greatest comandments_ Love God and Love others
>> maybe it’s time that the residents of the “northend” have an oppurtunity to discuss some of their stereotypes???
That’s exactly the point I was trying to make about people complaining about the comments here. If you read the older ones at the bottom of the page, you see anger. But today, you see discussion. We’ve got to all learn to live like neighbors. We are all God’s people.
Wild Bill: thank you. Because this is getting to be too much.
A lot of people are saying that they’re conserned for their safety, well honestly, as a black woman is the south; I feel that all the time. I’m not saying that its right (once again MLK=nonviolence) but you all are taking this too far and you’re making some really inflammatory comments.
You do realize that one way or the other, we have to deal with each other. Everyday, we have to see and interact with each other so there’s no point in feeling this way. I’ve lived in Century my whole life and truly some of my best friends are white, they have never had a problem visiting me and not feeling welcome. (So none of them better be on here making odd comments)
@ JamesJ: Wow. I take it that you are definitely not an Obama supporter. But that’s cool…that’s on you. If you walked around with a George W Bush tee-shirt on…well more power to you. You can take just as much pride in our former president as I take in our current one (notice I said OUR: not a black/white pres but our pres). Not that I feel the need to justify my actions (cause I do own a couple of Obama tee’s)…I’m just saying …
One thing I would say is this: at no point is the lost of a human life “justified”. And, I’m really hard pressed to believe the someone would really say that. I went to bonfires as a teen (never in Jay, wasn’t allowed) that was never a reflection on how my mom and dad parented (a minister and a nurse). That was so wrong to say.
I understand that everyone has an opinion but just think about the fact that you’re going to have to live with what you say, think and believe. I think that all things happen for a reason…maybe it’s time that the residents of the “northend” have an oppurtunity to discuss some of their stereotypes???
If he shot into the car at night he really didnt know who was going to get hit. Its sad that anyone had to lose a life .Shooting a rifle at night is hard at any distance unless there is a spotlight on the target. That being said, as I understand there was whites as well as blacks in the car. Anyone could have been hit, that doesnt make it racist. Doesnt make it right, surely doesnt make it racist.
Personally for the ones of you calling all of the Jay people stupid I think you need to tone it down a bit. Just because this tragedy happened in Jay Fl. doesn’t make Jay people stupid, this could have happened anywhere; so would that town or city of people be stupid too??? Jay Fl. is where I am originally from and I love the town of Jay. I for one totally agree with ■NONEYA………
As a matter of fact there are some black people that even live in Jay, so why is everyone accusing this to be a racist matter, if that were the case, don’t ya think the people of Jay would also do something to the black families that do live in Jay???
I’ve read the story several times, and all comments so far. No mention of being shot in the back in the article. Also It’s not against the law to be a racist! politically incorrect yes, but it seems to be politically incorrect to be white!
I love how blacks call the race card without any evidence but we are use to them doing this anyway. If that is racism then what about a month ago in a Pensacola bar where a BLACK man walked into a bar and shot a WHITE man for no reason. Now thats racism people and blacks are pushing use around and if we don’t start doing something about the white will soon be the slaves which in my mind we already are.
By the way tat shooting in Pensacola not one word of racism was said.
If there was ever any doubt about racism in the North-end, reading these comments should remove that doubt.
How long is going to take folks to realize that racism is ignorance and ignorance is stupidity.
We are all humans, we all bleed red….. I am thankful for parents who taught me to judge the man by his actions, not the color of his skin.
I wish more parents(of all ethnicities) would start thinking this way so we could past this ignorance of racism.
>>> I am for freedom of speech, but this comment list is a powder keg…I recommend you bring it to an end…I don’t think you want to be a part of someone else getting killed
I disagree. I think this forum is good. It’s the only way the two sides are talking right now. Some dialougge is better than not talking and acting instead.
It’s good that people are talking about racism. When’s the last time Brewton and Jay talked about racism. This is part of the healing process.
People..To be honest Blacks are more racist then Whites are. .I feel that this young boy was defending his self and his property should not face any charges. And And yes if these Brewton boys had any guns …Well now I’m sure that they disposed of them long before they made it back to brewton…Will this be a racist thing ????I’m sure it will be a one sided racist thing……But I do feel for the Mother of this boy …all you can do is raise your children to be good…you cant control what they do when they are not around you.
Racism has no color
Love and hate do not resemble
Words can hurt but they don’t kill
Thank God For Jesus, and the promises of God. A future home of love, peace and happiness. Where color, religion and the things of this world will not matter.
Looking forward to that day.
William…I am for freedom of speech, but this comment list is a powder keg…I recommend you bring it to an end…I don’t think you want to be a part of someone else getting killed…God help those who provoke to such a point.
how many people just looking to have a good time are carrying a pistol in their britches? that sounds more like trouble than fun
it doesnt matter what color you are. the white guy should of asked gus and his friends to leave. not KILL somebody. nobody will ever see gus again. NOBODY. all because of this. gus’s mother probably thought she would see her son again when he left friday night. and i agree, no gus shouldnt have came if he wasnt invited. but floyed shouldnt have shot him. excuse gus for wanting to have a good time. rasism needs to stop, and that goes for whites and black.
Response to “E” :
by reading your comment, when i see you say that if he was white that they wouldve just got in a fight and that wouldve been the end of it, i can guarantee you that if a white guy wouldve pulled a gun like the black boys had. close to the same result wouldve happened, its not the fact of their color its the fact of the endangerment robby felt for himself and the group of friends he had gathered on his property. think before you speak please.
Response to “Blondie” :
it doesnt matter if he was invited, its who the invitation was from. if it was from anyone besides robbie the invitation dont matter. another thing is how are you gonna say a racist statement that our hospital treats patients accordingly to their skin color? any hospital treats accordingly to severity of injury ive waited in that hospital for 5 or 6 hours just like anybody else, matter of fact ive seen black people be treated before me. im gonna make a request to you like i did “E”, think before you speak please.
For all of the people involved in the horrific chain of events, family, friends etc. I understand from what I have read this morning that death threats have already been made to the Floyd family and some neighbors…..Don’t you understand that one life as been lost already. I’m sure that the phone call made to the police after this young man fired at a leaving car resulted from that sick feeling in his gut, resulting from the consequences of his actions. Consequences that will follow him all the days of his life. Now people…how many more consequences do you all want to suffer? Nothing said or done will bring the man back. But more lives can be changed for ever if this attitude of revenge continues. None for the better.
Peace, love, grace and mercy all come from God
The blacks are always pulling the RACE CARD…Let’s start here..Their’s a black beauty pageant, whites are NOT allowed in! Black Holiday! The list goes on & on…..That’s Racist people! blacks always get there way..THERE JUST AS RACIST AS WHITE PEOPLE!!!!!
They walk around with their Obama Rocks t-shirt & Obama…yes people he is black & my president T-Shirt(what if we had a he’s white t-shirt & sported it,,,we would be called RACIST!!!!… I have seen both of these T-Shirts with my eyes!!!!!
Gussy boy was at the wrong house & he should have not been there enough said!!!!!!…..Jay is a good town to live in I lived there for 39 years & would move back, but we are a well armed town & Brewton just need to step back, don’t try & retaliate…It want work!
Let’s see, I’ve seen this scene before. Bonfires, kegs of beer, late night partying, people of all races gathering for a good time. It’s a scene right out of one of todays so called country music videos on C.M.T. or G.A C., except this is real life with a tragic ending. Nothing to shout ” H–L YEAH ” about this situation!!!
Who are “authorties” ? Come on tell us. Who are “authorties”? What I see is this statement was made by a fool. Tell us his name, come on, come on. I’m not ashame to put my name on this coment page.
Mickey Powell
Flomaton Al.
doris jackson are you from jay? any thats easy to say get all the details when it didnt happen to you it is a black white thing the girls invited the black boys the girls which is white made floyd look less than a man ……. his buddies reminded him of this floyd then thought iam in jay we dont alllow this in my hometown get the picture this was planned……. jay has been this way for years a racist town if they cant use you they will get rid of you
Two things…if the boy was shot in the back while the car was driving away, then the offenders were leaving. and no one was shot by alleged gunfire from the offenders.
On the other side of the coin, if the offenders were in jay, why in the world did they drive all the way to brewton hospital??? Jay ER is right there in Jay and well equipped to handle an emergency. Time is very precious in a shooting victim; depending on the location of the injury and proximity to jay er, he may well have been saved had they not chosen to go wayyyy out of the way to a different hospital.
Its sad so many lives are affected and ruined by this. There is a lesson ALL of us, no matter the color, can take from this: a split second decision can be a life changing one, good or bad. Dont choose to make a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Jay is not a racist city/town!! Along time ago people were racist but as of now the new age as grown not to be. I grew up there and grqaduated from Jay. Ofcourse I do not have close black friends because they do not live in Jay. But I do have black friends and so do many of my of my close friends. I dont know Robbie very well and have only seen him at random parties. He doesnt strike me as the type of person to be racist or a killer. I have always heard the racist jkes growing up but never was being racist ever imbeded into me and my friends. Sure you have a few but that’s not because they live in Jay. I know more racist people in NewOrleans then I do in Jay. There is a great black man that works at the tire store in Jay. People like him and he even comes to one of my close friends house in Jay. Racism is everywhere and not just in Jay. Why don’t we mention that you do not drive onto saul road in Brewton down by the railroad tracks behind pick and save. This is bc of blacks. But I have been down there to a friends house that lived a lil north and nothing happened. I’m white. I see black people in Jay at farmers getting gas all the time. I don’t think they feel threatened. There are a lot of people who might say racial slurs and jokes but never will act upon this. No matter what the conviction is. Robbie will live with this the rest of his life and propably will never be able to keep his gun with him in a town full of hunters. Robbie freedom is taken away no matter the outcome. But this is not a racist fight. May the truth come out and peace be back in Jay and Brewton for I do not want to have to look over my shoulder going to Brewton and those who come through Jay as well. People pass in Both cities and this is only being such an issue because blacks do not live in Jay nor, chumuckala and Allentown. This is not because of us. I don’t know a black farmer. If there was then I’m sure he would have some land to farm in Jay. But this mostly a family of generation farmers. Most of the people are kin in some way. May god be with both of the Families.
Wrong place / wrong time / wrong town and the guys that went there, knew it. Someone has died now and it’s a tragedy, People have always labeled Jay as racist. I grew up there and I must say I’m proud I did. A whole lot of GOD fearing folks live there.
Things have changed since the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s people are more laid back in Jay. The mean streets of yester year are gone but the oeople from Jay never let their guard down.
Just hope that the police in Brewton checked for gun powdwer residue on the hands and fingernails of each one of those individuals. Lot’s of places to ditch a weapon between Jay and Brewton.
Floyd had every right to ask them to leave, it was his property and if he didn’t want them there then they should have left, even if it was because they were black! And if the boys from Brewton pulled out a gun, then Floyd had the right to protect himself and his property! And I’m sure “if” the Brewton boys had a gun, it’s long gone now! But it just seems to me that if the Brewton boy brought a gun to the party, then he knew something might happen if he went and he was ready. I think things could have been handled a lot differently and it should have never gotten to the level of someone getting killed.
What happened to the good ole days when boys just fight it out?
My heart hurts for the mothers of these two boys! I just hope that some people don’t turn this wonderful community Brewton, Jay and Flomaton into a fight against races, because I’m affraid more lives might be lost. May God be with you all in the days to come.
Why is it that whenever a white man kills a black man, for whatever reason, it is a racial hate crime but if a black man kills a white man or if a black man kills another black man, no one thinks anything of it? I just don’t understand why race has to be touted as the reason for everybody’s problems. It’s not.
I look “white” but I am American Indian. My best friend is black. Does that make me a “black-lover” (as someone else has stated)? No……it makes me a HUMAN BEING lover!!!
Jay is entirely white, yes, but that certainly doesn’t mean that all people in Jay are racist. It just means that they live in a community where black families have chosen NOT to live. Of course there are racists in Jay, just as there are racists in Century, Flomaton, Atmore and, omg, even Brewton!
Unless we were actually there, we don’t know if this was racially motivated or fear motivated or alcohol motivated or WHAT!?! For any of us to say it was because of the races of the participants is irresponsible at best, inflammatory and blatant instigation to rioting at worst.
It’s a horrible situation. We can all agree on that. Throwing accusations around like this is ridiculous. What do you guys consider “retaliation”? Do you plan to go into Jay with your guns blazing? How many innocent people would be hurt, maimed or killed? Let the police handle this. Hopefully, they will find out the truth. Either way, allow our legal system to work the way our forefathers designed it to work and DO NOT attempt to take matters into your own hands!
For God’s sake, people, be mature and logical about this instead of reacting childishly and stupidly! Think of your own families and children and how you would wish them to handle the situation. I would hope that would be by waiting for the police to investigate and determine the FACTS and then for our legal system to settle the whole thing.
Please, settle down before more lives are destroyed.
I think a lot of opinions here are pretty irrelevant considering the following:
1) These charges won’t stick in a grand jury indictment. The prosecution’s going to have to drop the attempted murder charges and just go after him for capital murder or try to reduce his murder charge to a manslaughter charge and the three attempted murders to aggravated battery or something lesser and hope they can get a plea deal.
2) If the state does stick with the original charges, they’re going to have a huge problem building a case against him considering that (this is important) they’ll have to convince a jury of his peers (Santa Rosa county residents) that his full intent was to try to murder everyone in that car driving away. Given the evidence presented so far, they’ll be hard pressed to find a jury of 12 individuals that will convict this man on capital murder (which is eligible for the death penalty) unanimously. This case is either to going to mistrial repeatedly or he’s going to be acquitted.
3) The victim’s family can still sue him in civil court. Of course at this point, the most he can hope for right now is that he can somehow get bond (most likely not because its a capital murder charge). If he makes it out of the county jail in less than year, he should consider himself lucky.
A few years ago, our elderly neighbor, who lived alone; and bothered no one; had his home broken into very early one morning. He was repeatedly beaten and threatened with knives; and almost died. The motive was robbery; this never made the headlines; but I know it happened. It could have been labeled a” race hate crime”; since the robbers were young black men. They were never arrested; it happened very early one morning; and no one knew about it till our neighbor came home from the hospital. He was at least 75 or more at the time, and quite defenseless! They may have done some work for him in the past; and knew he was actually very wealthy; although he lived very modestly. It always frightened me to think people could be so brutal and greedy; and might do it again! Our elderly neighbor had to have triple by-pass surgery shortly after this incident. I am glad that incident did not turn into a town nightmare. I guess I am saying that there are equally bad things that happen that do not make the news; and yes, it probably would have created a problem; and sometimes it is the opposite of what has happened in this case. None of it has a happy outcome, and people will suffer. It should not make us happy.
why does it always have to be about race?? OMG its called the MAKE MY DAY LAW!
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0776/SEC013.HTM
To Michelle: Wooowww! Why would you stoop so low and bring Gus’ mom into this saying if she woulda raised him right he wouldn’t have went.. You didn’t know Gus or his family so what gives you the right to talk about him?
IF SOMEONE WAS IN MY YARD AND PULLED A GUN EVERYONE OF THEM WOULD BE DEAD ITS OUR RIGHT TO DEFFEND OURSELVES IF WE FELT THREATENED ON OUR PROPERTY! I DONT KNOW HIM OR SO CALLED VICTIM I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME BEFORE IT WAS ME IN A FUNERAL HOME!!!YOU HAVE TO PROTECT YOURSELF ITS NOTHING TO DO WITH BLACK OR WHITE ITS STILL HIS RIGHT TO PROTECT HIS LIFE! AND THE RUMORS OF THERE IS 100 GANG MEMBERS COMING FROM UP NORTH WHO IS FAMILY OF THE SO CALLED VICTIM SAID THEY WERE GONNA KILL EVERY WHITE PERSON THEY SEE IS BOGUS ITS US WHITE PEOPLE WHO IS BEING THREATENED AND ARE SO CALLED RACIST!! WHEN WE ARE PROTECTING OURSELVES ON OUR PROPERTY!! HE SHOULD NOT BE IN JAIL IT SHOULD BE THE ONES WHO PULED THE GUN 1ST AND WAS TOLD 2 LEAVE BUT DIDNT! I DONT CARE IF YOUR BLACK,WHITE,MEXICAN,WE SHOULD ALL BE TREATED EQUAL WE R THE SAME SLAVERY IS OVER PEOPLE IF YOU HAVENT NOTICED STOP LIVING IN THE PAST ITS NOT THE SAME NOW!!!! EVERYONE NEEDS TO LET GO OF STUPID STUFF AND GET ALONG NO MATTER OUR SKIN COLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
why did a jay girl take these young men to a party knowing they were not invited?
Anyone with any sense would be asking her did she do this for retalliation against local kids she knew.
Ther were young black men invited that often were in this and considere friends. Did she start this situation? u bet she did and will she be held responsible? I doubt it but i know she knew better. This should be on hulders!
Guns were heard being fired before floydwent for gun.
Yes I knew someone that was there and didnot leave and was 18 years old..no one left they were in shock but stayed to talk to detectives and tell the truth.
Shame on this Girl!!!!!!! for setting this incident up for tragedy.
i think everyone should just keep both families in their prayers. this is an unimaginable tragedy to happen in our area && at this point two families have lost a young man that they loved. may god be with you all
First of all u ppl sayin he did it just because he’s a good ole boy is bs cause he genuinly is a good boy. He called the police himself to tell them about it does that sound like a guilty person? Second if u really think jay is a racist town then why go to jay??? Talkin about now thinkin not only do u go to a town where u believe u aren’t welcome u pull a gun on somebody…I hate he lost his life but maybe if ur mama would have raised u right then robert wouldn’t have shot at u so don’t even try and put this on bad parenting. Second of all someone said they were invited and jay ppl were taking their side maybe that’s because they’re black lovers? Moral of the story they shouldn’t have showed up if they thought it was a racist good ole boy there that’s asking for trouble..
How can anyone at all say that he wasn’t invited to that party? He wasn’t invited by Floyd, but he had to of been invited by someone from Jay who knew about it and where to go. I knew Gus personally and he was an amazing guy, for anyone to say he deserved to die is just sickening. What if it were your son who was shot or your friend? What if it had been Floyd who was shot? It would all be different. You should really pray for both families and friends in this. Both lives are taken away because of Floyd’s stupid decision. Gus was leaving the party and did not deserve to be shot at whatsoever. ‘Supposeably’ there were shots fired at Floyd but whoever pulled the trigger obviously wasn’t trying to kill Floyd because it he were Floyd wouldn’t have even made it to his truck to retrieve the gun. On the other hand, Floyd knew what he was doing when he fired the gun at the vehicle that was leaving. This is such a tragedy and Gus will be extremely missed.
R,
You certainly would be within your rights as a property owner to ask someone to leave the premises if they were either invited or if they were invited and the invitation was being revoked; this is true if someone other than yourself invited them to your premises without your permission. If they then refused or caused a scene, then you are obligated to summon law enforcement for assistance; you can’t take the law into your own hands.
To say ‘If they decide to make a scene and cause problems, then apparently they were looking for trouble’ is not a good premise. They may not have been looking for trouble at the moment they showed up. Now, if the person does something to create a justifiable and articulable fear, then you have the right to defend under the provisions of the applicable laws. However, once that person leaves (or tries to leave) and no longer presents that threat, you would be not justified in continuing your defense actions; in fact, you could then legally become the aggressor.
I am not taking sides in this incident; mistakes were made by people. Tragic mistakes.
This does not justify a racially motivated uprising, folks. Let the system work. The situation is delicate, please don’t throw gas on the fire.
Gus didn’t deserve this. He wasn’t a model citizen but he did not deserve to die. If he was shot while they were leaving it obviousley wasn’t self defence. I think he was shooting to show off or something. He didn’t intend to shoot him I’m sure. But he shouldnt have ever shot the gun to start with. I don’t know this for sure but I do know that one of my buddies is gone. Over are a dumb argument.
Ubbelievable. If I am having a gathering at my house and someone shows up that I do not want to be there (regardless of color), I will ask them and whomever they came with to leave. I do not have to justify why I don’t want them there. It is a private gathering. Let’s just say, for instance, that YOU (any of you reading this) are having a social gathering, and someone that was invited takes it upon themselves to invite/bring a group of friends. You decide that you don’t want their friends there (for whatever reason) and ask them to leave. It doesn’t require any further discussion at that point. If they decide to make a scene and cause problems, then apparently they were looking for trouble. If you think that is wrong, think again. Say that I bring a group of my buddies and show up at your house and you ask me to leave, how would feel?
Anonymous, just a technical point:
Posse comitatus refers to prohibiting the using federal troops against civilians in the US. Vigilantism refers to non-law enforcement persons taking the law into their own hands. The two terms are unrelated.
What you described seems to be an effort by the Sheriff’s Department to ramp up patrol in an effort to prevent an eruption of lawlessness.
Folks…
Do we hear ourselves, here? If this were truly the ‘old days’, the police would have done nothing. In this case, the system is working for now.
From the sound of things, it appears everyone is wanting to arm up for war. Please settle down. Don’t make this worse.
I agree with formerteacher…the parties in Jay HAVE always caused problems. It is so easy for young people to attain alcohol in these parts. Also, i dont think that Jay is being monitored enough by the sherrif’s department….but i do have ONE comment about this incident. Im sure there were more than a few people at this party. i know if someone was shooting at me ( i dont care WHO”S house im at) i would have called the law as soon as i knew i was safe. and now a days all these young people have cell phones…i guess i’ll never understand why
Jay is a town full of hard working country people. We love our family, friends, and we will stand up to anybody or anything that seeks to disrupt our way of life. Everybody may not understand it, but Jay is a very peaceful place to live, for the most part everybody keeps to themselves and their group of friends and we all tend to get along.
I think what has happened is tragic, but I know if I had been in that situation you can bet I would have shot back too. I’ve known Robbie for a long time, he is hard working, good timing, he could get as rowdy as you’d like to see, but pulling a gun? For no reason? I know that’s simply not true.
kids was invited to that bonfire ,jay is a good oleboy town tthis to will beswept under the rug,wrong………there is ahigher power than jay florida weapon they so much brag about .sadly those kid was to scared to take the young to jay hospital maybe cause they are racy also you wait 2hour to awhite person 1hour waitjay needs the love of god rigthnow because jay is what it is
either way a man is DEAD! and that is not cool
Ok I live in the Jay. I know Robert Floyd. The way I see the whole thing is were you there. If not then I dont believe it is are place to say if he was right or wrong. I do know for a fact there was other people at the scene and the officers talked to all people there. I know this was not a black white hate crime. All these threats for robert, jay, and friends and family to the floyds is wrong. He was in fear of his family, friends and his safety. There was not just 1 life taken in this matter, there was 2. I believe this is all blowed up and we all need to remeber one thing. Dont judge until you get facts not stories from the media. So unless you know Floyd or someone involed you will not recieve the facts. All involed will have to answer to GOD one day and if you was in the wrong you will pay for it then. Until then lets leave the hateful comments out of it.
How do you think this would have gone down if Gus was white? Hmmm? Well first off if he was white he wouldn’t have been asked to leave, second if he would have been asked to leave they probably would have got in a fight and that would have been the end of it. So yes I think we can all say this was a racial incident. Btw, they weren’t asked to leave until Floyd found out there were black people at his party. No one was “uninvited” until Floyd knew the color of there skin. That’s racist if you ask me. I hope he doesn’t get away with MURDER. And I hope Floyd rots in jail for the rest of his life. He took an amazing persons life. He deserves to rot.
A majority of the people leaving comments would do well to read the rules of leaving comments. Where is the moderator? It is obvious said rules are being broken. That said, I have a few things to say.
1) If you are going to accuse another entity of being “just plain dumb”, it would be wise to use correct grammar in your accusation.
2) I realize there are many questions on people’s minds regarding this instance. I have many myself. Why do we have to be so nasty to one another while asking these questions?
3) I was born and raised in Jay. I’ve lived here for over 30 years. I have NEVER EVER seen or heard of anyone attacking another because of race. Yes, there may be some talk, but it’s just that – talk. I’ve never seen a sign warning African-Americans, Asians, Indians, Native Americans, or any other race/ethnicity to stay out of the area. The only KKK meeting I’ve ever heard anything about in this area was in Century in the late 1980’s.
Please, let’s stop this vicious cycle of hatred, ignorance, and bigotry. Also, think about this: If you accuse an entire town of wrong-doing (racism) without any facts or evidence, you are in the wrong. In Jay we say that is “the pot calling the kettle black,” which incidentally is NOT a racial remark.
Suga, we’re having to defend Jay… Not just philosophically and metaphorically, but literally. Apparently, the “concerned Brewton community” has seen fit to threaten Jay to such a degree that it is in lock down. Police are everywhere, shops were closed down very early today, and the hospital is in lock-down due to fear of “retaliation” from the “concerned Brewton community.”
I thought this sort of “posse comitatus” vigilantism ended nearly forty years ago…
I am from Jay born and raised, graduated with robert. Hes a good dude in a bad situation, if you show up at a jay party uninvited (black or white) more than likely youre gonna be asked to leave. And then to pull a gun is the stupidest thing you could do. Yes these people showed up with someone who graduated from Jay, but who said they were invited? What really bothers me the most is that if this had happened in Pace, Milton, Brewton, Century, Flomaton, or any other surrounding communities the whole different races wouldnt have came into play, and whats even worse is that if it had been a black man that killed a white man there would be no question of racism at all. THERE ARE JUST AS MANY BLACK RACISTS IN THIS WORLD(PROBABLY MORE) AS THERE IS WHITE! so i would appreciate it if everybody would quit running down the name of my hometown, and quit pulling the race card.
Okay, first of all….. Half of yall don’t even know WHY he was there in the first place. Second ofa ll since you are so smart……… Why would Mr. GeTyron even go to the party if he knew for a fact that he was gonna get shot. AND KILLED!!!!!!! Now, for the rest of you who are having the worst attitude with this, think about if it could have been you or someone you loved. You would want the BEST JUSTICE possible and for me and my family…. we are out to get it. The people of Brewton are flabbergasted that someone that someone would ever think of taking someone’s life. And another thing, his friend’s girlfriend invited them to that party so don’t you EVER say he was un-invited! Maybe you need to get this story straight. You don’t believe you’ve heard shots.. you either hear them or you don’t. “Nuff said!
If we are to follow the logic of some of our posters on this forum in regards to Jay being racist, and this being a racially motivated shooting…..it only stands to reason that any shooting that occurs in Alabama must be racially motivated if for no other reason than they elected George Wallace governor……not…….
The sheriff’s department apparently doesn’t think this was a justifiable shoot at this point and only the trial, later, will determine for sure.
However…
I wonder if the views here would be the same ifffff this incident was completely reversed? I know it didn’t; but what if?
I’ll present it this way: did this incident happen because it was in the Jay area or did it just happen to be the in Jay area?
I don’t think anyone seriously can stereotype everyone in Jay, FL just as no one can stereotype everyone anywhere else.
To not here for all that, I do not think it is right for you to say that people from Jay are stupid and that there are known for hate crimes. I would like to know what hate crimes that would be. I don’t remember reading about them in the paper.
Goooood point, Lisa.
Come on People IT doesnt matter if Gus pulled a Gun Or Not He was shot and Killed by someone who was Drinking Provoked or not its WRONG>>>Lets face the facts ONE Jay is a Small Town Thats deep in the Woods, How would they know how to get to the house unless the 2 people that where in jay with them, Two, Jay is Known for its hate crimes, kkk meetings, the people over there are jus plain stupid, 3 there is no sign that a black person can come to jay florida and have to be invited, three why did the guy keep shooting after the sceen and if if didnt why did gus and his passengers not stop and the jay hosptail… sumbody answer these questions…..RIP G>L>B
I see a theme here. It is wrong to stereotype anyone…..unless their from Jay?
To Mikebee, where did you get your information about what you say happened 20 years ago and how do you know anything happen if it had been swept under the rug. All you are doing is trying to get something started. To WOW, Do you remember the sign? how old are you? That was like 50 or 60 years ago.
2 amendment how does being someone who doesn’t play or tolerate hatred translate into being a troulble maker? His dad is not a trouble maker at all but not many blacks will tolerate mess from white folks. Jay the plantation are over! Why does jay look so third world? Could it be the people aren’t educated or articulate enough to see that!
Did any one mention that there was two black males already at the party? NO….. There was TWO BLACK MALES AT THE PARTY how is the racist card being pulled?
Everyone is talking stop talking and begin praying because only GOD and the people who were there during this altercation really knows what happened at this party. Ask GOD to comfort the two Families involved and let God do what he does best comfort and soothe the broken hearts. Alot of nothing can turn into a lot of something these two families need comfort now and not alot of he said she said this happened IF YOU WERE NOT THERE THEN YOU DON’T KNOW
■don’t believe it…i agree 1000% with you!!!!!!
I am a former Jay boy, and am proud to be so. However, I am downright ashamed of Jay’s biggoted history. I am currently in an interracial relationship with a woman whom I plan to marry. It is my hope that one day I can bring my children back to Jay and they will not have to put up with this kind of hatred and ignorant behavior.
For a town with such a strong “Christian” influence, it is funny to me that there are so many people supporting the taking of a life (whether white or black). All life is sacred! Despite the reasons for the shooting (although anyone who knows Robert and his group of friends probably has a good idea of why it happened), what hurts my heart is the damage this has done to Jay’s reputation.
Think people you say you know this “man” yes 21. Do you really believe that these 4 boys just showed up. Someone must have told them when and where to go. This place is not so easily found on a late night out riding around by accident. Shot in the back while they were leaving. Also this guy pulls a gun and gives you time to go to your vehicle and get your gun out. Before he starts to shoot . Best wait for the truth to come out. Remember that it is still Jay !!!! The truth might not ever come out. And if threats about how well armed that Jay is it really supposed to scare anyone. Just goes to show the mentality of Some of the people there. Not all of the people in this town are of this mentality. Yes Pray maybe if the party had been alcohol free things might have turned out differently. And just how long did it take before they decided to call the law. Hmmm was it long enough to get the story straight and get the underage out of there. Think people think !!!!!
Ok, guys……..you all are mistaken on the Castle Doctrine. In order for you to claim this, there has to be a justifiable fear and IMPENDING threat. If there was ANY kind of evidence suggesting that he was defending himself, he wouldn’t be sitting in the Milton Hilton right now. Gus WAS invited by one of the people with him in the car. Unfortunately, Floyd didn’t like the color of their skin and wanted them to leave. But he made sure they knew it was because of their color while he was telling them to leave. AND THEY WERE LEAVING when he shot into the car. He claims that he heard shots in the direction of the car. REALLY???? You’re gonna throw away your freedom because you supposedly heard shots??? Wow! And I’m sorry but it doesn’t sit right with me that he waited a “short while” before he called the Sheriff’s Office. What was he waiting on? He was just supposedly shot at but didn’t even call 911? THAT just doesn’t sound right to me.
You can’t just shoot someone for being on your property…..even if they stay after you’ve asked them to leave.
did any of yall realize that if it was a race thing y was a white boy in the car with these kids from brewton we need to all realize that 2 lives have been lost not just one yes gus has went on to be with the lord but Mr Floyd will always have this to carry with him how many people do u know that has killed and it has not been on his mind my prayers go out to both families
I wonder if this is getting blown out of proportion a bit. A couple of questions occur to me. I read the article but maybe I missed something.
Were the persons who ‘crashed’ this bonfire uninvited because they were black or just because they weren’t part of the group that was invited?
Was the person shot because he was involved in the altercation or because he was black?
I think those are two very important things to ask. I say that because it is too easy to invoke the race card in situations like this. If the young man was shot because he was black, that’s one thing; if he was shot simply because he got into an altercation with someone else and he happened to be black, that’s another.
I guess it is naive to think that racial issues don’t exist any more; but do we have to make every thing that happens into one? I would like to think that Sheriff Hall’s department will make a best, and fair, effort possible to get to the bottom of this case.
This whole thing is tragic, from every angle; regardless of race. I would be willing to bet that everyone there would take a do-over if they could.
TO !!!■Anonymous!!!!! WELL LETS SEE THEY MIGHT HAVE WENT THERE AND WERENT INVITED BUT THEY WENT THERE FOR A REASON AND WHO KNOWS WHAT IT WAS FOR COULD HAVE BEEN TROUBLE AND COULD AHVE BEEN FOR SOMETHING ELSE BUT EITHER WAY THEY HAD TO HAVE KNOW MR.FLOYD….
■mikebee
Clearly the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, if his dad is a trouble maker I guess he was too. It is this exact mentality that causes these type situations. Bringing a gun to party!! He found what he was looking for……. TROUBLE!!!
One night it’s ok to shoot at the PNJ paper carriers—a couple of nights later it’s a racial incident to shoot at someone . Yes, Floyd was most likely wrong to fire on the car. The lack of a hand gun later only proves that there was no gun found later. They had a lot of time to hide or get rid of the gun, if there was one. The “stand your ground” law sure in being applied in some odd ways. I recall years ago there was a “fleeing felon law” that the person could be shot or shot at—the courts over turned that law because of it’s misuse—hope the same thing does not happen with “stand your ground”
Get real people! What ever happen to to the rights that our fore- fathers left us so many years ago. Under the constitution we all have rights and one of those rights is to protect our family’s and property against all intruders. I am truly sorry for the loss of life and the trouble that floyd will have to go through, but when it comes down to it the young man from brewton should not have went to a place where he was not invited on property that did not belong to him or his family. As a property owner i to will stand up and protect what is mine and i will only tell you one time to leave and you best be moving or suffer the consquences you placed apon yourself.Young floyd was correct in his actions according to Florida,s stand your ground law. Every man should stand up for what is his and allow no one to take it away and intruders should not go where there not invited.
one thing no one has mentioned. these guys came with JAY people.
Parent without a brain!
it says in the story that he fired at the vehicle as it was LEAVING! there for the threat was gone! which does not give him the right to shoot at the car. if someone broke in your home and you ran out behind them and shot them in the back as they were running away you would go to prison!!!!! But that being said if they came with a gun and would not leave when asked then yes they were looking for trouble! and both parties now have a tragedy to live with!
So many doubt ’cause I come from the South
But when I open up my mouth, all bullets come out
■Parentwithabrain
Clearly you are delusional and have no understanding of this particular situation, the BREWTON boys brought a gun to the gathering they were clearly not welcomed at . After Mr. Floyd asked them several times to leave HIS PROPERTY they refused, and used weapons at the part y. He was well within his rights to use force (including deadly force). I hate that a life was lost regardless of race or creed.
First of all may God be with both families. All I ask is that u read the story more than one time b4 u comment. Let me point out a few things. 1..Riding around JAY looking for a party. Are you serious! 2.. Ran to his truck to get his riffle. Would u turn your back to some 1 with a pistol? 3.. No one called the police when the altercation first started. Anyone with common sense can read through this an know that all / the truth is not being told. Not 1 life was lost but two. Rather Mr Floyd get off with this or justice is served, he will have to live the rest of his life everyday with knowing that he KILLED someone. Anyone with a heart will suffer for the rest of their life knowing that. Also we must remember what goes around comes around . You live by the sword, you die by the sword. Its in the good book. An for those who just know that I am an African American, I am not, I am Caucasian.
of course none of us were their so we can only be told what happened. and people have the right to defend them self but the story said he fired at them as the car was leaving. if they were leaving he had no right to shoot at them. now if they were coming at him with a gun or the car was coming at him he had the right to defend himself. but as the story reads he will be going to prison!
To all those who r involved in this vishus crime our young people r being used to detroy one another. It makes no difference if the victom was black r white, 1 is dead and another has lost freedom not saying it should have been the white guy dead and the black guy lost his freedom, would it make a difference? If it were u would you go where people don’t like you in the middle of the night? For 1 guy it was a 1 way street. Satans job is to steal kill and detroy.
This just does not add up to me. I think it is sad for any young person to lose their life reguardless of the color. Jay is a prejudice town, and most folks know that. I have heard people make the statement they would not let their kids go to surrounding schools, because of the black kids. I am here to tell you some of these black kids have more manners and respect than the white kids. I am sorry for both families, because the white boy has to live with the fact he took another persons life. When things like this happen it just makes us all look like a bunch of southern hicks.
It is very unfortunate for all involved in this. Race may have been a part of the reason in this case but when we were teens, us Atmore folks would go to parties is Century or Flomaton, or vice-versa, and it would turn into a riot in a heartbeat and we were all white. It was like a territory thing, which was just as STUPID. Hopefully that is the case here and not Race. STILL VERY BAD!
Jay is an extremely racial place. The saying always went….if you’re black, don’t be caught here after midnight. Some way to raise your children. Are the blacks in Brewton racial??? of course. Would someone from Jay want to be out on their streets late at night?? NO! PARENTS.. stop raising your children to hate. I have been away from Jay and out in the world. Racial harmony does exist. But not if the parents keep raising the next generations to hate. That goes for Whites and Blacks. So happy to be away from that place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well it doesn’t appear that Floyd was within the law according to the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, otherwise he wouldn’t be on the guest list at Hall’s hotel in East Milton. If the vehicle was leaving, get the tag number, dial 911, and let the law handle it.
I don’t believe for one second that this was self defense! Given the reputation that Jay has. How can people be so insensitive and filled with hatred? Someone died! I really don’t believe for one minute that all the evidence in this case will be revealed because of the good ole’ boy mentallity that Jay has. Even the Police will help Floyd by shielding evidence in the case because he is white. If he does walk it want be good for floyd because I know the young man’s dad and he doesn’t play. What goes around comes around and you will reap what you sowed robert floyd!
The way I look at it is, this guy was having a bonfire party at his own house with his friends, on his own property, late at night. Some vehicle shows up in his yard with four people in it and then they step out of the vehicle onto this guys property, he asks them to leave and they refuse to leave his property, when asked to do so… then an arguement starts and so one of the guys that had came on this other guys property pulls out a handgun… (Why did he have a handgun on him to begin with?) So this young man goes to his vehicle to get some protection, because I’m sure he has feared for his life, he hears gunshots of which he probably is assuming bullets are being fired at him, so he fires back… I believe I would have to say in this case, this was in self defense,,, I am not stating that it’s a good thing that someone lost their life, because it is never a good thing to happen to anyone. I believe I would be checking the hands of the other guys to see if they did make gunshots as someone had stated in a previous post. I am sorry for the family of the guy that was shot, but as someone else had stated, when you go looking for trouble, you will find it… and most of the time it ends in a tragedy like this one…
wow are you serious its jay for crying out loud does anybody ever remember that sign they had up before you went into jay. uh huh yup and you ppl expected what to happen.
if someone pulls a gun out on me or my family on my property and there not suppose to be there / its my bad luck if i only hit one. race is NO issue at all. face it there are dumb people red ,yellow , black , and white. seems like every time 2 people that are of a different race get into some kind of disagreement or something it has to be racial. maybe 1 or both of the subjects are just stupid. for instance i personally cant stand barac obama’s policies as a president and cant wait for him to be voted out but at the same time i hope nothing ever happens to him , and i wouldnt mind having him and his family at my dinner table to just talk and hang out. probably a nice guy. we are different people thats no doubt , we see things differnt from each other but i dont think that makes a person racist.
these boys showed up and showed a weapon which probably where they are from made them cool . but in jay that makes you a target. difernt worlds. i would bet money if the poor guy that got shoot would have been green or purple he would still have been shot. hope this dont turn in to a big deal .
“(c) The person who uses defensive force is engaged in an unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle to further an unlawful activity; or
Underage Drinking…..Law doesn’t matter now.” – BD
Do you know something the police don’t? He’s been charged with one count of open murder and three counts of attempted murder. I do not see any information in the article regarding whether or not underage drinking was occurring at the party. If there were, he would have been charged with it in addition to his other pending charges.
But if you *DO* know something the police don’t know, maybe you shouldn’t be posting on an online discussion, but doing your civic duty and contacting the police with any information you may have.
Jay has alway’s had a bad reputation of racism! I remember two black guy’s who were murdered there over 20 years ago but it was swept under the rug. What have black’s ever done to white people? Have we enslaved them? Have we ever went into another country and murdered them? I don’t care how heavily armed Jay is, GOD will bring this situation to justice. If what Floyd is saying is correct why didn’t he call the police when they refused to leave and let the Police handle it?
I hope justice is served and I hope Floyd get’s charged with a hate crime, meaning he will die in prison. He was shot in back so there goes your self defense case!
“omg!!!!!this is so sad and crazy you go to a bonfire and you get shot to death while your there…hmmmm there is something fishy about this” – OMG!!!!!!
Yes, “OMG,” there is something fishy here… Such as why a group of men who were not invited, trespassed onto private property, were obviously carrying weapons, at an obscene hour of the morning.
Why did they have a gun? Why did they feel they needed to drive from Brewton to Jay in order to break up this specific party? Seems to me like they knew exactly what they were doing – and irresponsible in doing such.
It’s one thing to crash a party; it’s another thing to crash a party with a pistol.
These men, as irresponsible as they were, were adults and are accountable for their crimes. They obviously came with the pre-determination that they were going to cause problems that may end in violence – otherwise they wouldn’t have come armed.
People are going to see this as a race-related crime, when it isn’t. I hate to tell everyone, but this part of the country is very traditional and conservative. We place lots of pride and importance in our personal civil liberties and understand our rights in protecting ourselves, our families, and our loved ones.
This is not a case of “hate crime.” This is a case of one group of men violating another man’s right to peaceful existence on his own property (or his friend’s property, see the definition of “Residence” in statue 776.013), and attempting to violate this man’s right to defend himself.
I’m sure Mr. Floyd did not intend for this to happen. Even in the circumstance that underage drinking occurred, this is not the issue. It is an irrelevant suspicion. *IF* there was underage drinking, then charge Mr. Floyd with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” But, either way, are we going to say that because of such a suspicion, all of his rights to self-defense and personal liberty should be thrown out the door?
Come on people…
R.I.P. Gus! on February 27th, 2010 8:01 pm I hope he rots in jail, I talked to people who were actually there. Gus was 100% innocent. (Even Jay people are saying this).
I hope this “Good Ole’ Boy” knows what he has started.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IS THIS A THREAT?? SOUNDS LIKE IT! .. YOUR GUS WAS AT THE WRONG HOUSE LOOKING FOR TROUBLE..read The “Make My Day” law.
(c) The person who uses defensive force is engaged in an unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle to further an unlawful activity; or
Underage Drinking…..Law doesn’t matter now.
Anonymous http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0776/SEC013.HTM
Does this not apply? Florida uses a “stand your ground” and “no retreat required” Castle Doctrine. The “Make My Day” law.
From my understanding, he followed this law, and was well within his rights to defend himself.
AGREED!!!
HE WAS AT THE WRONG HOUSE & HE DEFENDED HIMSELF!! WAY TO GO!!!! I WOULD DO THE SAME IF YOU PULL ONE ON ME ……
simple facts…..people are way to egar to resort to violence.
all you have to do is read or watch the news to know that.
You can’t bring back this young man life or heal the hurt in a parents heart. The other young man now has to live with the stigma of taking a life.
NO good has come from this.
For anyone who has any doubts about whether or not the boy was within his rights to shoot the trespasser, I suggest you take a look at Florida Statute 776.013 on the “Justifiable Use of Force” – Florida’s legendary “Make My Day” law.
Here, I’ll even provide a link:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0776/SEC013.HTM
look as i have come to know the black guy was invited to the party by a white female… i know that no one deserves to lose their life.. jay is nothing but alot of white people that are racist.. the guy that done the shooting should have to spend life in prison or the death sentence… why should he be able to keep his life after he just took an innocent persons life?
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0776/SEC013.HTM
Does this not apply? Florida uses a “stand your ground” and “no retreat required” Castle Doctrine. The “Make My Day” law.
From my understanding, he followed this law, and was well within his rights to defend himself.
Wow, wait a minute……If details are correct…Men fire into a crowd……You don’t know whether anyone was hit or not……you have a weapon…..and you’re suppose to let them go……….?
1. These young men never should have been somewhere uninvited.
2. Should have left when asked.
3. If they came to a party with a gun. They were looking for trouble and found it.
And, furthermore, lets not crucify Jay. This could have happened anywhere.
Two words: Castle Law.
He felt threatened, he asked them to leave, they refused. He believed he heard shots, and was therefore in fear of his life. It was self-defense.
As tragic as a death is, these boys knew what they were looking for, and came to a party uninvited that was being hosted on private property *with a gun.* They were looking to stir-up trouble.
It’s unfortunate a life was lost in this incident, but it goes to show exactly what kind of acts can happen if people go out looking for trouble.
to Parentwithabrain……NO not all boys in Jay are raised this way. There are good God fearing people that live here, and have and continue to raise their children to be a good people and that the color of someone’s skin does not make them bad. This doesn’t need to be turned into a case of guilt by association (meaning you live in JAY)!
I hope he rots in jail, I talked to people who were actually there. Gus was 100% innocent. (Even Jay people are saying this). I hope this “Good Ole’ Boy” knows what he has started.
Parentwithabrain……Amen to that.
Won’t they do gunshot residue off of the boys hands that left and the boy that was shot? If they did shoot a pistol then there would be residue on their hands.
Holy moly! I cannot believe people are going to justify a shooting! J are you seriously saying someone deserved to lose their life because they showed up uninvited and, allegedly, showed a gun? And if that’s the way boys are being reared in Jay, I am quite thankful not to live there. Parents keep your daughter away from Jay boys if this description is accurate. Which I don’t believe it to be.
This is a tragic incident and all parties concerned are going to suffer for the bad choices on the parts of all involved. The young man whose life was lost for showing up to a party uninvited (though my understanding is another attendee had actually invited them) and the young man who has tossed his away by choosing to discharge his firearm into a vehicle with people inside. Twenty-five years to life at the age of 21 is a very long time to spend away from those who you love and who love you just because somebody showed up uninvited.
Revolvers don’t eject the empty shell case as fired.
No amount of word exchange or pushing or shoving is worth a life….
But like I said…..if you look for trouble, you will find it…
skin color is no excuse….but people used to not drive around late at night looking for partys they have not been invited to.
ok first of all if someone pulls a gun on you and you have been brought up the way most of the jay boys have you’re not gonna back down. they fired first not floyd. leaving or not they were stil on his property. he told them to leave and they thought they would be cool and show their gun. they deserved what came to them. go where you’re not invited and be told to leave and cause a scene. they were stupid……..and if everyone knows that the two areas are so racial who was the stupid person to tell them to come in the first place!!! fishy is not the word. i think someone wanted to start something.
Let’s see. I understand that the young man in the case was uninvited to the location but does that mean that he deserves to loose his life??? Let’s be real, Jay is not really a location that many black people from the local area will go to…unless there’s and emergency…and then we’re still cautious. Self-defense??? Are you serious. 1st…it is a true statement that we have not received all the facts. But seriously, the police did indicate that they only found rifle shells and as multiple people have stated…the people @ this point were leaving. Doesn’t sound like self-defense, though we don’t have all the facts, it does sound like alcohol and some racial issues turned into a senseless death. To Harley1…please. I personally subscribe to Dr. King’s motto of non-violence but please don’t ever think that anyone is terrified. I have friend’s from Jay and no that the whole town isn’t full of people like this but come on people! 30 years after the Civil Right’s movement and we still can’t get along? Because of color? Does this sound stupid and senseless to anyone else but me???
parents, do you know where your children are tonight? Parties in Jay have always been a problem. But for it to get to this point, is so sad. for everyone.
My thing is this… I would never go to someone’s house uninvited. And look what time it was! I agree with bill… That’s asking for trouble! Did they know each other? And if not, why would anyone pull up at someone’s house at that time of night/morning if they didn’t even know the person. That’s the only thing that sounds “fishy” about this story.
Shot in the back enough said …… No self Defense!!!!!
First of all, lets think about this if we can. Someone pulls a gun on you, you turn and run to get your gun. Okay, you got a gun on you, not knowing if the guy will shoot or not, you turn to go get your gun. Come on,who is going to let you go and get your gun after they have pulled a gun on you. He was punked in front of his friends, the guys went to leave and he went to get his gun and fired. Plus I’m sure alcohol played a part in this too. Yes the guys should have left but to be killed I don’t think so. Floyd did’nt want to call the police to get them to leave like he should have but decided to take the law in his own hands and when he knew had done wrong then decided to call the police first to make up his own story. There was no self defense when the vehicle was leaving as stated by Floyd himself, the threat is gone. What it is, is premeditated. Floyd had time to think when he went to his truck to get a gun and decided to fire knowing that the vehicle was leaving. Case closed…….
Robert Floyd worked for me for three years. He’s a good kid and a hard worker. I can’t imagine him shooting a person without being provoked. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families.
Get the story – it also says they were leaving when the rifle was fired towards the occupied vehicle.
Sounds like a whole lot of folks acting stupid over nothing. Prayers to the young man’s family as they go through this loss…. and as well as the family of the shooter
I see now, when uninvited and refuse to leave, looks like they found what they were looking for…TROUBLE. LOOK FOR IT AND YOU WILL FIND IT.
Jay would not be a smart place to exercise any kind of retaliation over whatever this is about. It is probably one of the most well armed towns in the entire country. The authorities need to keep a tight grip on this.
Is this a hatfields and mccoys feud or just an accident? Any body know?
What a shame, the loss of a life and lots of hurt for all involved.
He was asked to Leave. He started shooting into the crowd at the party. Shots where returned. Self defence. But of course they won’t tell anybody that.
Wait until all the details come out. Pray for the families of both young men involved.
So sad!!! I will pray for all involved.
omg!!!!!this is so sad and crazy you go to a bonfire and you get shot to death while your there…hmmmm there is something fishy about this