Pubdate: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2000 The Modesto Bee Contact: http://www.modbee.com/help/letters.html Website: http://www.modbee.com/ Author: Rev. Tony Belarmino Related: http://www.mapinc.org/find?BK=Sepulveda+Alberto TRAGEDY FOR BOTH FAMILIES A tragedy has happened that will have lasting effects on two extended families. The shooting of an 11-year-old boy will be felt by both his family and the officer's family. This was one horrible accident. I hope I never have to endure the pain that those two families are going through. There have been a lot of people who have proclaimed that that shooting would not have happened if there hadn't been some racism involved. I think the warrant and subsequent arrest at that home, as with several other simultaneous searches and arrests, were not because of racism but because of drug trafficking. I do not think those warrants were issued because of the ethnic background of those being arrested but because of drugs. I feel sorry for both families, but it was drugs that precipitated the action that resulted in the shooting. REV. TONY BELARMINO- Turlock - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck