Solve Random Shootings

Why Random Shootings are the Hardest Crimes to Solve

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I had a close friend who was living in a dangerous neighborhood and just got shot. We are all shocked, especially since this was a random shooting. Unfortunately, the police haven't found any suspects and everyone's telling me it's time to give up hope. Why are random shootings so hard to solve? And we know there were lots of people around during the shooting. Why aren't any of the community members speaking up?

Sincerely,

Solve the Shootings

A:

Dear Solve the Shootings,

Random shootings are the hardest crimes to solve because of the fact that they are random. There is no context to use to try and piece together clues as to motivation for the shooting let alone who the shooter was. Think about any other mystery you'd try to solve. Knowing the players and the situations are what leads you to the culprit. In random shootings, there are no clues, no context, and no characters to know -- except the person who is shot, and if they're dead, they're of little help in solving the crime.

What about community members?

Community members in neighborhoods where random shootings are prevalent don't speak up because they are afraid. They are fearful that they will be shot. They are afraid that they are not protected by the police in the same way that they are protected by their neighborhood criminals and gang members. It is these gangs and neighborhood mafias that rule the communities -- not the local police. Whether or not it's right, it's what motivates community members to keep quiet and protect their protectors -- even if they are evil and not good people.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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