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Funeral Services Held For Brewton Teen Shot Near Jay
March 4, 2010
Funeral services were held today for the Brewton teen that died after being shot at a weekend party in Berrydale near Jay, as his accused shooter remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon for Getyron Lopez Benjamin, 18, at Second Saint Siloam Baptist Church with Elder Robert McWilliams officiating. Burial followed at Piney Grove Cemetery. Benjamin was a 2009 graduate of T.R. Miller High School where he played football and ran track. He was also a first year student at Jefferson Davis Community College.
The man accused in his death, Robert Franklin Floyd, 21, is being held without bond on an open court of murder.
Benjamin was reportedly shot early Saturday morning at a party being held at Floyd’s residence on Country Mill Road in the Berrydale community. Benjamin, who is black arrived at the party with another black male and two white individuals, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Floyd then requested that the four leave the party because they were uninvited, at which time he allegedly pushed one of the black males, according to information released by the Sheriff’s Office.
“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,” according to Sgt. Scott Haines, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office. Floyd reportedly fired five times at the vehicle.
The occupants of the vehicle told authorities that no one had a weapon, and there was reportedly no evidence that a weapon had been fired from the victim’s vehicle, deputies said. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
Benjamin, according to police reports, was shot in the back by a bullet that passed through the trunk of the vehicle. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.
For our Saturday story on the incident, click here.
Comments
30 Responses to “Funeral Services Held For Brewton Teen Shot Near Jay”
P.S: older generations alludes to SOME from the past. I definitely know a lot of older, wise people who get along with everyone, but some people’s history and heritage makes them disagree with this. Furthermore, much prayer and thought should be given to Gus’s family and Robby’s family, they both need it.
What I find really hard to process is how hard Jay High School students work their butts off to be the best that they can be. I have been going to Jay High six years and I know better than anyone how hard it is to keep up with what everyone around you expects of you. People do not hold you to small expectations, they have high hopes for you, and to see my town’s reputation crumble because of this is not acceptable. Everyone will definitely have their own opinion, but I didn’t need to be at the party to make it clear that this is not a racial issues. It’s just because of the past of Jay and the bitterness with the generations above mine that signify to lots of people that Jay is a racist town. I am honestly not worried about what the older generations think, I am here to tell you that in no way or form should you judge a book by its cover. If you don’t want to be judged, then don’t judge someone before you know them. Get to know someone, it may be worth your while, because I guarantee I love everyone and the only reason I won’t respect you is if you can’t act like a mature person, not because of your skin color, your religion, your anything. Everyone IS equal and it’s not fair to see Robby get judged as being racist or to see Gus die in Jay by a white guy and the whole town of Jay gets attacked. I feel the grief in my heart that I know has stricken Brewton families and Jay families, but I’m telling you, it’s not just affecting Robby and Gus’s families. It is affecting everyone in Jay who is being sterotyped as racist and everyone in Brewton who is being stereotyped as racist. There is no doubt in my mind that there are people in Jay who are racist, but guess what? There are racist people against whites, too. There is no such thing as one-sided racism, ANYWHERE. Nobody needs to argue over the party details and what went on that night, because none of you were there, and neither was the news. So everyone needs to calm their butts down, stay out of the situation, and try to get along. I’m no peacemaker myself, but people really are no different and I don’t see anyone as less than me or more than me. Try to get that through your head, and stop judging each other, because everyone is fighting their own personal battle and doesn’t need your critique.
To DuH!!: HAHA!! Well DUH!!!! That suits you right!!And the funny thing is you are totally wrong about your info!Did you miss the part where I said I was born and raised here?We are a close community and everyone knows everyone and where they all live we don’t just know who lives on the end of the block .If you have even a clue where all the places are you would know where it happened and no it wasn’t in Jay nor was the party or the shooting.So DUH HONEY,(HAHA!!) I’m very aware of where it all took place 10 miles from Jay.And to be absolutely exact it actually ain’t Berrydale either.But being since you seem to think you are so in the know I won’t waste my time trying to explain anything to you.My whole point is Jay isn’t so racial .And people have turned it into a racial war.
So sorry for all the family members on both sides. May God give Gus family peace and may he help the Floyd family as this must be such a heartache to all of them. I feel so bad for all of you.
TO JAY RESIDENT:
HONEY IF YOU READ THE DETAILS IT HAPPENED IN BERRYDALE. AND JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW FLOYD AND HIS FRIENDS CHASED THOSE GUYS TO BERRYDALE SHOOTING AT THEM! HOW ELSE WOULD IT HAPPEN IN BERRYDALE WHEN THE PARTY TOOK PLACE IN JAY??!!! THE NEWS DOESN’T TELL THE FACTS, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED DO!! YOU ARE THE ONLY NEGATIVE PERSON TO WRITE SOMETHING NEGATIVE, BUT EVERYONE ELSE IS CONSIDERATE AND WELL MANNERED. THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE FOR KEEPING GUS’ GOOD NAME IN VAIN. AND ONE BAD DECISION OF FLOYD DOESN’T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON EITHER. EVERYONE MAKES BAD DECISIONS EVERYDAY BUT NOT ONE CAN JUDGE. MAY GOD BE WITH EVERYONE IN OUR TIME OF NEED, OUR WORLD NEEDS HELP WE HAVN’T TIME TO JUDGE ONE ANOTHER.
Everyone needs to sit back and wait for this to be fully investigated.From what I have learned the Floyd boy is not totally to blame.Yes it is truly bad that there was a life lost ,but it was not race related.And there is so much more to the story that WILL come out.I’m sure he hates that someone died as do I,but is everyone judging him correctly?Say the boys from Brewton did in fact pull a gun and were shooting just as he said they did,would any of you react any differently?I know I would not!Someone comes to your home is asked to leave refuses to leave then pulls a gun and starts shooting!!What would you do?You have the right to protect yourself.And besides if everyone is so certain Jay is so racial can you honestly see black boys coming to Jay at that time of night without a gun?Please!.The media is making this so much worse !Jay is not a racial town.Yes we have all heard the stories true or not ,but the truth is we have people of all races living in Jay.I have friends who are black and I treat them no different than anyone else.And I was born and raised in Jay never lived anywhere else.They made the statement that they didn’t want to go to Jay hospital for fear of getting no treatment !!That is crap! I have been to that ER many times and have always seen blacks there.There are blacks that go to see the Dr.s in Jay.None of them seem to be having trouble being seen .Fact is that boy would have been put first and if they saw they needed to he would have been life flighted out to get the help he needed.Besides there is a Dr there on call EVERY weekend and guess what he’s black!!!!So all this about Jay being sooo racial is really become more of a good headline for all the trashy media.The older gentleman that was interviewed summed it up well “You come to Jay and conduct yourself as a lady or gentleman you will be well recieved.”White,black or what ever your race.As far as the dumb one saying “they shouldn’t come where their not wanted.”Who even knows him?Or even wants his opinion!Never seen him before!Maybe he should go back where he belongs because he ain’t from Jay!And not wanted either!So just as it is the truth will come out.And I do not believe if everyone had been white it would have been any different.You come looking for trouble and you will find it.No matter who you are,what color or where you may be.If it all happened the way it has been told anyone would have reacted the same way.
RE:OBAMA…..wrote….DOESN’T THIS TOWN LOOK STUPID ON THE NEWS!
YES!!!!!!!!!
The MEDIA has acomplished in making THIS TOWN look stupid, ignorant, racial, and OH SO HILLBILLY DUMB!!
In this case the “MEDIA” has milked every bit of hatred, evil, racial, threatening remark, that they could, and has allowed a few “CHOSEN” to make dumb, ignorant, racial comments which is now causing more hate, more racial tension, and more threats of violence!!
I saw on channel 3 news, a resident of Jay, a “man” of pure ignorance being aired on TV for the world to see, making a statement….”Well they aught not go where they aint wanted”!! HUH?? Ok so you take a “few” dumb, stupid, hillbilly’s, put them on TV for thier 12 seconds of fame, knowing they are being coached into making the comments and there you have it folks.
LISTEN here every Black, White, Red, Brown and yellow person……ONE DUMMY DOES NOT REPRESENT THE WHOLE NATION.
ONE RACIAL PERSON DOES NOT REPRESENT THE NATION.
ONE WHITE PERSON WHO HATES BLACK DOES NOT REPRESENT ME AND MY OPINION!
ONE BLACK PERSON WHO HATES WHITE PEOPLE DOES NOT REPRESENT ALL BLACK PEOPLE!
ONE BLACK PERSON WHO ROBS ME DOES NOT REPRESENT THE WHOLE BLACK COMMUNITY!
ONE WHITE PERSON WHO MURDERS A BLACK PERSON DOES NOT REPRESENT THE WHOLE WHITE COMMUNITY!
REMEMBER THIS……IF WE DON’T GIVE THE MEDIA SOMETHING, LIES, THEN THEY DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT, THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE A JOB!
IN THIS CASE, THE MEDIA HAS CAUSED MORE OF AN UPROAR THAN THE SITUATION.
I MYSELF HATE THE MEDIA FOR WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR!!
TO ALL THAT HAS COMMENTED ON THIS…. I PRAY FOR EVERYONE ON HERE AT NIGHT… I THANK GOD THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME GOOD PEOPLE IN THESE TOWNS… I FULLY CAN SAY GUS IS GOING TO BE MISSED MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY.. GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THE FLOYD BOY NO MATTER WHAT. WE ALL HAVE ANGER TOWARDS HIM NO MATTER WHAT.. HE HAS TAKEN THE LIFE OF A FRIEND, LOVED ONE, AND SOMEONES SOUL MATE…THIS BOY DIDNT EVEN GET TO LIVE HIS LIFE.. NO KIDS, NO WIFE… GUS ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE, NEVER A FRAWN…. GUS YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART… YOU ARE THE TOWNS ANGEL… I HOPE THAT JUSTICE COMES TO THE BOY THAT HAS TAKEN THIS PRECIOUS LIFE FROM US… THEY LAID GUS TO REST BUT HE WILL NOT BE IN PEACE UNTIL JUSTICE IS MADE TO THE BOY THAT SHOT HIM… {R.I.P. GUS WE LOVE AND MISS YOU}
may GOd truely bless you now as you go on through this life with GOD as your guide I pray that GUS is smiling down on you (HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS) to let you all know your gonna make it with Gods help just continue to pray and God will see you all through your tuff times in the years to come.
Don’t grieve for me for now i’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me I took his hand when i heard him call I turned my back and left it all I could not stay another day to laugh work or play the task left undone must stay that way I’ve found that peace at the close of the day. If my parting has left a void then fill it with remembered joy A friendship shared,a laugh, a kiss OH YES these things too will GUS miss Be not burdened with sorrow I wish you MOM, DAD, BRO, n SIS Family and Friends sunshine for tomorrow My life has been full I savored much good friends,good times, and loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now HE SET ME FREE.
Between birth & death we don’t know whose life we may come across. Seeing all the PAIN alot of Brewton Young People are having with Gus’s death, let’s me know that he came across many. Keep ur heads up, look to God for ur HEALING & STRENGTH & be there for each other. In the same aspect Robbie has come across many lives over the years as well & all we can do is pray for both families & friends.
I dont think that the comments on here that are full of hate have any merit. I personally knew Gus. I went to school with him and my sister was one of his best friends. Gus was a wonderful person and brought joy to many people in the Brewton community. God Bless His Mother and everyone else in the Benjamin Lane family. RIP Gus you will be missed buddy!!! I hope that everything smoothes out and no one else has to lose their lives over the war that is going to potentially happen to these towns. I loved Brewton, it was a good place, but it has its racism just like Jay. Every small town has it, so lets not place the blame on the town as a whole becasue the whole town did not shoot Gus, one man did. God will deal with both boys in the way that he sees fit, and he already did what he wanted to Gus, he called him home. My heart is with both families. God Bless
not everyone* All I have to say is AMEN!!! I agree with you and others, this guy was (IS) an idiot. I just hope people realize not all people from Jay are as ignorant as this man!
DOESN’T THIS TOWN LOOK STUPID ON THE NEWS!
YES!!!!!!!!!
The news didn’t have to look very hard to find the ignorant fool who
spouted that crap on tv last night.
They are all over this town and all the little towns around here.
I hear it everyday. It still amazes me how people can spout all
their religious malarky and then live a whole different life.
You see some fool who spouts crap like that, and you just know
thats the same fool who won’t work and has his girlfriend support him
or his mommy, and all he does all day is drink, fish and hunt.
Thats his idea of a man.
DOESN’T THIS TOWN LOOK STUPID ON THE NEWS!
Perhaps I’m alone here, but I think the only kind of comment acceptable here is one expressing condolences.
To the family of this young man,
It doesn’t seem like it now, but time will lessen your pain and you will be able to remember your loved one with joy instead of pain. As long as his memory lives in you, he will never truly be gone. God bless you all.
GUS HAS BEEN LAID TO REST. NOW THE TIME HAS COME TO TAKE THE SAME ATTITUDE THAT HIS MOTHER HAS OBVIOUSLY TAKEN. FORGIVENESS, PEACE AND LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. A TRAGEDY HAS HAPPEN, AND THERE ARE TWO FAMILIES DEVASTATED, BUT LET US REMEMBER THAT GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL. TO BOTH FAMILIES, LOOK TO GOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!
also want to add that even though I never met Gus no one with a smile like that could be evil and he brought happiness to many lives clearly from all the comments about him. I am from Jay and can say that with the deepest sympathies for the people who did know him.
The news station had to search hard to find some idiot willing to stand up and make the comments made today. PLEASE don’t accept him as a representation of all Jay residents. I happen to love this town. It is a wonderful way of life we live here and the majority of us yes support the Floyd family but also have compassion for the Benjamin Lane family. The only hate I have witnessed is the Hate from everyone that this happened. I am appauled that anyone would feel any other way. My Children have gone to school with Gus and have attended school with Robbie. We are not racist We are saddened for each of them and confused over the circumstances leading to the shooting. Most Jay/Berrydale people simply chose a way of life that isn’t suited for everyone and may appear outdated BUT we are not nazis not Hitler not Haters. I wouldn’t choose to raise my children anywhere else. The Jay I know teaches family values hard work and neighbors helping neighbors threw the good and bad times. In general Respect and whoever that was they found to stick on the news with a negative comment on the very day of this young mans funeral is not speaking for me my family or anyone that I know residing in our community. I am truely sorry for BOTH families missing sons tonight…Black or white right or wrong guilty or innocent. That speaks for most of us I think
To the family of Gus… I met Gus last semester at Jefferson Davis. We had a class together. He was a very funny man. I enjoyed my class time with him. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you…..
NOW to LAW AND ORDER: YOU think that Floyd should be released…THAT BOY KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN HE FIRED AT THE CAR!!!!! DID HE NOT THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHANCE THAT HE WOULD HURT SOMEONE LET ALONE KILL SOMEONE. HERE HE KILLED AN INNOCENT MAN WHO WAS ON TRACK AND DOING SOMETHING WITH HIS LIFE. HE SHOULD HAVE JUST CALLED 911, OH BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE EASY WAY HUH???
Gus!! it was so hard seeing you lay there but i know that you are in a better place!! missing your smile and your crazy ways are going to be hard but we are going to get through this with god’s help! and your Family OMG so strong especially your mother: i love her because after seeing how she acted today as you lay there and 500 people plus at your funeral and she didnt drop a tear she kept a smile on her face at all times let me know that there is a GOd and he is awesome! R.I.P GUs im going to Miss you but love you at all times
Law and Order?? What do you mean charges should be cleared???
@Law & Order, there is a difference, “Floyd” was NOT a police officer and He had no right to take the law in his own hands. That’s what 911 is for. I can bet that if the show was on the other foot, then you wouldn’t say he should be cleared of all charges.
To the family of Geytron Benjamin, my heart goes out to you. As long as you got King Jesus, you don’t need nobody else.
I pray that this child of God did not die in vain, and that our communities will take a look at the manifestations of prejudice, fear, and hate. If you grew up anywhere near Jay you know the racial conotations associated with the place, a sign at the edge of town…a hanging tree. My heart is broken when I imagine that this place I call my homeland is so full of ignorance and hate. No funtional community can be built upon a crumbling foundation, a community divided is doomed for failure. Look around…in thriving locations around our nation we see cultural and racial diversity as a selling point…but somehow that wave of change and progress failed to reach us here. You see signs of hope…like black and white youth hanging out together, grandmas pink and brown having coffee together on the porch, or interacial couples toughing it out dispite leering looks and wispers from those still full of hate…but the facts are that until we spread kindness, compassion, love, tolerance, and understanding…our communities will continue to be ripe with the nasty fruits of hatred, bigotry, ignorance and intolerance. I pray that people here wake up and take a look at the world outside the city line…people are comming together, and loving oneanother…people are enjoying diversity…celebrating uniqueness…this murder– this shamefull result of decades of wispers and inuindos–of lessons not yet learned….this brutality is what we should be intolerant of. Our grandfathers fought Nazis to defend the inocent against murderous crimes of hate, as a nation we declair all people equal and of worth…RACISM IS UN-AMERICAN, and I hope this gets the attention of national media, I hope people in the North realize that we aren’t quite there yet in the good ol South…I pray for a change in this place there is just no need for this to go on anymore.
my heart go out to gus family until ypu lose a child you dont understand its a pain you wouldnot anybody should go through let us all embrace eachother in prayer,love asking the almighty to help everyone to get through this only god can heal the broken heart….as for robert he should first ask for forgivness from the lord the bible says thy shall not kill…be a man now and confess of your sin now is the time to be a leader not afollower dont let your friend lead you down the wrong past again enough said…….god bless both family
TODAY IS THE DAY THAT YOU LAY AT REST…ITS SOO HARD! TODAY WILL BE THE LAST TIME THAT WE SEE YOU UNTIL WE’RE CALLED TO OUR HEAVEN OF HOME. WE’LL MISS YOUR SMILE AND THE WAY YOU KEPT EVERY ONE LAUGHING. YOU’RE IN A BETTER PLACE NOW MY ANGEL. LOOKING DOWN OVER US. SPREAD YOUR WING WIDE AND FLY HIGH AND SHELTER US FROM ALL DANGER AND HARM. YOU’LL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND MISSED……. REST IN PEACE GETYRON LOPEZ BENJAMIN/LANE.
P.S. YOUR FAMILY WILL BE OKAY. DON’T YOU WORRY! THEY GOT GOD ON THEIR SIDE!!
To the family of Gus, you have my deepest sympathies. May God be with you during this time.
My prayers are with both families today. Gus’ family as they lay him to rest and Robert’s family as he still sits behind bars with his future uncertain.
Editor’s note: Comments are welcome on this story, but the rules for comments on this story will be strictly enforced. Please read the rules at the bottom of the page before posting.
To the family of Getyron Lopez Benjamin
Keep your faith in Jesus…Better days are coming, when we meet him in the air.
To the family of Getyron Lopez Benjamin, (Gus)
Time Will Pass
And The Pain Will Lessen,
But Memories
Will Be Forever Present
Of Someone Who Was So Special
To So Many People.
Thoughts Are With You During This Difficult Time
A Time Like This
Is Difficult For So Many People
May It Comfort You To Know
That There Is Support With You
At All Times From Friends
And Loved Ones…
I am so sorry for your loss of your son, he was so young…
In Deepest Sympathy… ~Angi ♥
——————————————–
To The Family Of Robert Franklin Floyd,
Prayers Go Out To This Family As Well.
~Angi♥
—————————————————–
I know this is such a terrible tragedy that has happened, and I feel sorry for both familes here, May God Bless Them All…
~Angi♥
Floyd should be cleared of the charges by the state attorney because Eddins has already put his stamp of approval on this type of a shooting when he cleared the Atmore P.D. officers in their Walnut Hill homicide. The official report’s account of this case sounds very similar to those used by Atmore police after they shot s fleeing driver in the back of the head killing him last May (muzzle flashes, phantom gun shots and a vehicle leaving the area). Another similarity, there was no gun found in the Atmore homicide either; even though, the driver and his vehicle didn’t drive off.