St. Petersburg shooting victim identified

Police investigate a shooting this morning at 274 34th St. S. [CURTIS KRUEGER | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG -- The man who died in a St. Petersburg shooting this morning has been identified as Jason Edward McDonald, 26, of 5680 91st Ave N, Pinellas Park. (See photo below).

St. Petersburg police said they responded about 5:15 this morning to a report of an argument between two men at the Inn on the Hill, 274 34th St. S. When they arrived, they found a man's body with gunshot wounds to his upper body on the curb in front of the motel.   

McDonald's body was lying partially in the road, so several lanes of U.S. 19  were blocked to traffic. The lanes reopened later in the morning.

   Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call (727) 893-7780.

-- Curtis Krueger, Times Staff writer

Photo courtesy of Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Comments

[al]

This is plain insanity. The Rays and the city want a new ball park down town?? Who do they expect to draw for night games as well as day games. The city is unsafe to visit as well as to live. You are afraid to stop at a light or stop sign for fear you will get carjacked, robbed, raped or murdered. these sick people need to end this violence. They are so lazy to work so they do the next easiest thing for money, sell drugs, rob etc. Their families are torn apart. Their children become pregnant at an early age, the father or fathers are unknown. Many quit schools before gaduating . Perhaps Bill Cosby was right when he said have to take responsibility for their lives.. I try not to go to St. Pete. Mayor where are you????

[Nick]

Wow! Mo, people make mistakes, get off their case about it. I am sure you have made some mistakes when writing something and Al you need to give it a rest, if you dont like it here then MOVE AWAY!!!!!!!

[*]

....south side, enough said!

[al]

Nick,ill give it a rest when this crap stops..perhaps you should move and live in St Pete south side,

[hl]

al: and what city of 250,000 people in the entire nation do you consider so much safer?

[je]

just more "natural selection" in action ... taking out the garbage.

the shooter's next.

but i'm still moving, new yorkers can have this place.

[Sandy]

Daily/nightly shootings, prostitution, drugs, burglary, and black-on-black crime are the norm for St. Pete. Why don’t you folks in St. Pete try getting off you rear ends on Election Day and vote in some true representation and leadership from within the black community, instead of these systemically appointed uncle toms who drive around town in their Escalades sporting $2000 suits while proclaiming “I feel my brotha’s pain”.

who tat shooting up st pete

[Darrylj]

What is this 1st commment talking about, because where the Rays play now is more dangerous. And you don't have crime at the Trop. And they are dead wrong about St. Pete. Not all the city is bad you have crime every where in Pinellas and other surround county that have a high crime rate. So I really think they are stupid to comment in that sense. People with no class or education need to stay off the computer.

[Pete]

Every city in the US has violent crime. Why? Guns! Outlaw the use of guns and you outlaw the outlaws.

[denise]

Guns, again, are the problem. i will bet that the gun in this shooting was an illegal one. So leave my legal one alone, thank you.
where there are depressed and poor, and parents who choose not to parent, this is what you end up with.

Al, that is the sterotype you hear about everyday. So what next, Al must live in a shell. And that area of the shooting this morning is not downtown St. Pete. Shows what hw know.

[Tom]

Al - get a clue.

St. Pete's violent crime rate is lower than Tampa's, same as Clearwater's.

St. Pete's property crime rate is lower than Clearwater's, same as Tampa's.

There will be 10,000 people in downtown St. Pete just at the SPIFFs festival this weekend. Baywalk, the Pier, Beach Drive, Central near the State Theatre, Jannus Landing and surrounding downtown will be packed as usual with people on the streets enjoying themselves all weekend. Meanwhile there will be a "gathering" at Channelside in Tampa (though that's really not downtown) and some activity in downtown Clearwater.

Is there crime in St. Pete? Absolutely. Should the City be doing a better job crime-fighting? Yes. But, isolated incidents aren't going to stop most of us from living our lives.

[dere]

My apologies goes out tot he family of the victim. I am so sorry that this has happened to your loved one. St. Pete is not a bad city in fact it is a good city. And we dont have bad people here either. Theyre all good people that make bad choices. Theres no need to downgrade st petersburg because crimes happen all over the U.S no matter what county, city, or state you live in

[Sandi]

Same ole, same ole - Drug deal gone bad! No side, north or south is safe from the drugs!

[Brionna Kendricks]

Im so tired about people talking down about St.Pete! Yes we have crimes here in St.Pete but so does other cities. There are many cities that have either the same or more crimes that happen EVERY DAY! But I do feel like we should come up with a plan to stop a lot of these crimes from happening. But instead of talking down or complaining come up with something to help stop the crimes. And if you just cannot deal with Saint Petersburg, Florida then leave and go to a "safer" city.

[D]

Sandy, prostitution,drugs,burglary,and white on white crime is also the norm in St Pete the media just doesn't portray it the way they do when something happens in South St Pete. Those of us that can vote do vote on election day but as we have seen in past elections our votes are simply a formality b/c those with $ & power will sway the vote in favor of the candidate that owes them the most favors or can do the most to help "their personal cause".

[Matt]

Where the stadium will go is not a dangerous area. Last time I checked it was actually quite peaceful on the waterfront. I guess the rays better not schedule games at 5:15am! Every time I go down there I don't see anything different than anywhere else. Have you ever been to Shea stadium? How about Yankee Stadium in the bronx. I have been hoping for years that some gang-banger will tear that place down but it still has not happened. IMHO building a new waterfront with a baseball stadium, would improve the area.

[Rex]

Rule 1 - In St Pete, try and avoid streets that have a "S" after them. It gets a little dark in those parts, and you are just axing for trouble...

[curt]

* the incident happened in Midtown, not South Side St. Pete, somewhere you probably can't afford to live..even if you want too.

[Daily]

Nothing but trash comes out of the dirty, dirty south...

[Daily]

Nothing but trash comes out of the dirty, dirty south...

[john]

A city of 250,000 safer? Aurora, Co. is alot safer. I grew up in St. Pete in the 70-80's, was bussed to Perkins, 16th St Middle, and Gibbs, yet lived near Kenneth City. I now live in Colorado and can't believe the way St. Pete has gone down hill. That is the cost of trying to compete with Tampa and getting rid of a sleepy, retirement town, with green benches downtown to sit on. Great Progress!

[Raymond]

Well Al, I live on the southside of St.Pete, and I don't like the comment you made to Nick!!! The southside is just fine.. I take it you live in the suburbs?? I agree with you Nick....Al, give it a rest!!!

[Truth]

The level of corruption in SPPD and City Hall is the real source of the trouble we've had in St. Pete the last 11 years. All the politicians, cops and even Midtown preachers are more than happy to accept money from the drug lords. Look close and you'll probably find that Rick Baker's not just flush in cash from developers.

[Dave W]

Cities safer than St. Pete: St. Paul, MN, Boston, MA, Albany, NY, Madison, WI, Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Portland OR (and ME), Manchester, NH. A very partial list, some smaller, some larger than St. Pete.

[Dee]

Al, before you make statements about any people do some research first. Who committs the worse crimes, who has the highest proverty rates, guess again it isn't African-Americans. The news and papers put in them what they want us to see and hear. Please educate yourself to the facts before you write or speak.

[Dr_Dug]

Dave...those cities are mostly white. The best way to clean up a city is to ship the blacks to a DIFFERENT city!! Its a fact that cities with a low Black population tend to have less crime.

[Dr_Dug]

Dee..your wrong! You need to do your homework and a little research too. Care to take a lesson in Geography and historical fact? Try it!!

[KD]

Racism is alive and well in St Pete. Last week when a white man was stabbed in NORTH ST PETE by a white german teen you didn't see comments like this about Germans. Also, more crime is committed in Midtown and North St Pete than South St Pete.

[JB]

I read these comments and all I can say is 'wow.' Racsim and hate are still very much alive in 2008. Just open your eyes! It's not race, its not what side of town you live on. It's PEOPLE plain and simple. That man died for what would amount to NOTHING in our day to day lives. But he's still DEAD. You can pint fingers all day long.. but this man's family has lost him forever! And for what??? There are poor of EVERY RACE in every city. There are criminals every town, in All of our families (everyone has an uncle, cousin, etc that they're not too proud of). Maybe if we, as a whole were a bit more willing to help and not point fingers, things could get better. Do I know what the solution is? Wish to God I did. But I do know race ain't the end-all-be-all cause.

Oh, and for the record... I was raised on the south side and I am FAR from being trash.

[ctb]

I agree w/ KD's 1st sentence - these racist remarks are not surprising - tho they ARE sad & depressing.

Crime is very much a symptom of poverty - which is the result of lack of education/ opportunity. Our current culture glorifying violence contributes to this as well.

okay so what do we do about all of the crime instead of just talking about it? Are we going to raise our children differently? Talk to the youth? WHAT?

[J.A.O]

A tragedy yes it is that another life has been taken without regard. Everyday we see stories of senseless crimes against children black and white,the elderly,an entire family in all regions of the world.Senseless tragedy has no color, economic status,or location.All around it's just bad things happening to people in this world we live in.Everyone will have to give an account for everything they do,say or think.What you see isn't really what it is.Just know we are all affected by tragedy directly or indirectly.

[Dr_Dug]

Racsim and hate comes from every country. If its not color...then its religion. The point is there are certain groups that have a propensity for crime and low education. You simply can't blame white people for racsim because its on both sides. A white person walking through the South-side has a MUCH higher chance of getting robbed than a Black person walking through a white area. In fact... the police would be called on the black person while the white person would be considered "food" to the blacks. What that ultimately means is Blackie gets stopped for safety concerns while whitey gets left in a ditch for dead. How can the hate end when after 143 years the Blacks continue to complain. Other countries (except Africa) have over come huge hurdles (Japan) and have become leaders in the world without looking back. And every time I hear about Slavery....it makes me sick they still complain. The Indians were wiped out,enslaved and thier COUNTRY taken. Since the Blacks live here...should the Indians expect an apology from them? And what about the U.S. Japanese citizens that were imprisoned during World War Two because of racsim and hate? The list can go on-and-on-and-on-and-on... point is..Blacks have a low position in society bacause they continue to complain about racsim as if THIER the only ones!! And why do they love thier homeland more...? Wasn't it the BLACK TRIBAL LEADERS that sold thier own kind for financial gain? Ignorance and crime is thier major contribution to society....

[RJ]

Question for all of you making it a black/white thing, or a certain side of town thing, or even a city thing...did Ted Bundy live here in St. Pete?? How about all those other serial kiilers out there, dead or alive?? some white, some black!! Do we know if they grew up poor or on the south side of some city?? Wake up people!! Some people can be raised in the best of families, best situations, go to the finest schools, but may possibly grow up and just make the wrong choices...maybe following what someone else did. Who knows...one of you out there could possibly kill someone if it came down to it. I personally don't want to, nor have I ever been to jail. it's our choice. Because eventually persons committing crimes will get caught. Sad situation.

[Me]

I saw this on my bus ride to school at 6 in the morning. Its sad, thats one of our bus stops too.

[Baynerd]

I am glad I got out of St. Pete three years ago. I have lived in several Tampa Bay cities. St. Petersburg was by far the worst.

[rj]

Dr_Dug, you, my friend, have just contributed your ignorance to this society with that last comment. Thinking like that is what makes a person ignorant. That's what's wrong with the world today.

[Dr_Dug]

RJ...You can't ignore the propensity for crime that Black create. They admit it themselves every time they speak. Have you noticed the polls for Obama lately? (85-90% of black voters voted for him) Rev.Wright-Obamas priest said it all too well...HAVE YOU HEARD IT? Its what alot of black churches preach...whether you like it or not!! And to make a point....if things were swithched...do you think blacks would treat a minority white population any different? Remember that they DON'T call White folks brothers and sisters because THEY don't want white folks in thier family or community.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS....AS LONG AS YOUR BLACK!!!

[Dr_Dug]

Rj...Thinking like that is what makes a person ignorant! EXACTLY!!

[john]

Speak the truth, it is what it is and be labeled a racist = because it's easy to label, rather than face the truth.

[Tom]

Look ... we're all gray. You either use it, or you don't.

[TC]

Yes, St. Pete has crime, SO DOES MOST cities...if you don't like St. Pete, MOVE...perhaps the crime will go down if some of you racist, bigots get out! Oh and Al, 34th St. and 2nd Ave. S, is NOT downtown... try checking your facts first!

[TW]

I still find it amazing that people like al still try to bash so. SP. I am a young black male that built a house in south SP. I would love for you to try & buy a house in my neighborhood. Maybe I should drive you through it so that you can gawk at the homes...By the way seminole has been in the news quite a bit lately.

[Dr_Dug]

TC...your a fool. Why should we leave our homes and city because of black crime? But your right..most cities have crime. The problem is most of the crime comes from Black people....so check your facts AND history. And TC...calling someone a bigot is not RACSISM. What ever happened to looking out for your-own? You know....like the brothers and sisters do!!

[jj]

i can't wait to move out of st pete- i'm having a grandchild and i don't want her here. I used to take my kids all over st pete- no more! I'm not a racist, i have black and white in my family and extended family- but every day i hear gunshots and read about violence. Start at home - stop hating and start being parents to your children - what happeded to right and wrong??? it's sick

[Dr_Dug]

You said it right JJ.

[bad to the bone]

Dr Dug you have to be the biggest idiot ever. Ignorance is more prevelant today and you are the reason why. Get a clue dummy or shut up. You are definetly the problem we don't need haters like you in our society. I pity you, you must be miserable living in that world of hate that you live in. Crime is everywhere, EVERYWHERE!!

[Ian S]

I moved from DC to St. Pete. DC is rough. St. Pete is a calm breeze. I recommend little less fear in your diet and perhaps some perspective.

To the racist:
Know how many shootings there are in Mexico City each year? About 900 on average. Funny, not a lot of black people there. So much for your small-brained correlations.

[dave]

I was raised in South St Pete and hated every moment of it. The city is very simple minded and is plagued with a hicks mentality. I live in Orlando and would never consider moving back to that retirement village.

Do yourselves a favor and travel. Experience the world and you’ll realize how lame St Pete really is.

[Dr_Dug]

How about this....Now that the Blacks got thier worthless apology....will they go back to Africa or stay here and complain. In fact,I heard Africa still has a few spear chucker spots available in thier tribes. Thier color and abuse of the english language will help them fit right in!

[kris]

It is really amazing that we still have people that think that crime is racial, when any and all studies show that crime is economical. Poor people commit more crime than people who are well off. But, to try to blame one race, is pure ignorance. And please do the research for yourself, you obviously will be surprised to see who commits most crime.

[D]

I'm not from St. Pete but have visited. I keep up with the news in the area because of people I know there and there does seem to be a lot of crime there. I did read about the man that got stabbed at the park, wasn't robbed just stabbed for no reason. I did find it surprising that no comments were posted at the time I read it and I remember thinking to myself, "Do these people not care?." Dead bodies found behind a shopping center, definitely not a place I would want to live. Yes, there is crime everywhere but I'm sure St. Pete has been evolving into the city it is now. No one bothered to stop it or fight it when the first crimes began happening and now it may be too late. God forbid that happens to our city in Texas! My prayers are with the families and may God grant a speedy recovery to your city!

[Dr_Dug]

Hate continues through the Black mind and society. Rev Wright said it clearly...to a church filled with Black people that don't seem to be complaining about it. And..why do Blacks call themselves as a group Brothers and Sisters? How does that fit in with white people? EXACTLY... it doesn't. White peopple are not included in thier family of Brother and Sister......POINT MADE poor boy!!

[morganan]

Has it occurred to those of you who are making fairly racist comments ,that evolution tells us that civilization started in Africa. The only reason some of us have lighter skin, is because of either continental drift, tribal migration, genetic variation, or just plain movement further away from the equator. In reality, all of our ancestors started out as dark skinned individuals. Even the description of Jesus in the Bible offers that he had skin of bronze and hair of wool. Just cause he "looks" white in the pictures painted by old white men, don't make it so.......

[kris]

Dr.Dug. You are funny. But at least you are honest and strong in your feelings about race. I wish every bigot was as open and honest as you. And im sure that Rev Wright does not speak for everyone. He speaks for himself.

[Teresa]

I first want to say how sad I am that this happen to Jason. I have know Jason since he was born. My grandmother baby sat for him as a young child. His family is average and by the way people drugs are a human problem not a race problem. Parents need to start being parents. I believe we have lost a generation already to this problem and the community needs to start turning in pushers and criminal activity. We need to take our children to church, but mostly live a life of purpose before our children. Mothers bringing any old piece of junk to their home and allowing them to be involved with their children, and fathers are not off the hook either or should I say sperm donors< because it takes a real man to be a father. Real men don't beat their kids and wifes, they support their families, emotionally, spiritually, financially and physically. Moms teach your daughters to be ladies not trash. This all boils down to as I said before a human problem not a black/white problem. We all need to get on our knees and pray to GOD for guidance..so that we don't have to bury another one of our children prematurely...

[Dr_Dug]

Morganan, evolution tells us that civilization started in Africa, then completely disappeared until the White man perfected it. Honestly...have you been to Africa? No real working class,AIDs,drought,famine and spear killing? Remember the Zulu war? Remember the thousands fleeing into the country side? And the chineese did not come from Black people....you fool. And Kris, your right. If all the fakers would admit thier fears and concerns, then at least we'd have a starting point. For now...they stay in the shadows because in reality...thier scared of Blacks and the crimes they commit.

[Gilbert R. Ford]

It is very unfortunate that another young man has lost his life to a senseless act of violence.

May God be with his family at this difficult time.

We neither know the race or gender of the assailtant, so at this point we are making assumptions! While the probability of the assailtant maybe of another heritage, there is a chance that the spirited comments made are misinformed, premature and inflammatory.

As an, AfrAm, I challenge the Florida Black Caucus, specifically Rep. Hill (Co-sponsor of an apology for Slavery) and Rep. Pruitt, to come together and get a group to study the violence that is infecting our city as oppose to sponsor something that has taken place long ago! What I am saying is NOW, not 200 plus years ago! Better yet the NAACP, with thier infamous wisdom fighting for kids to wear baggy pants (StPeteTimes, art 3/19/08). They, too, could marshal thier resources for an excellent cause, like fighting against the violence that has now begun to consume lives of ALL, ethinicities on a daily basis.

While it is the right of anyone to live of thier own choosing, if you are not happy with St. Petersburg, in specific or Florida in general, then excuse yourself LEAVE! You have Interstate(s) 75 & 95, North and South and Interstate 10 East and West, take your pick! WE FLORIDIANS will NOT ask you to stay! Please be a solution not a problem!

[cc]

There are alot of positive things happening on the southside. it just that the media refuse to spread that news only the negative. Apparently negative sales.

[a]

Kris, I totally agree with you! You have to laugh at Dr_Dug's ignorance. I do wish other's were as upfront, so I would know who to stay away from!! It amazes me that all of these comments have turned to race and not the fact that a young man has lost his life senselessly! Sad!

[XTC]

I KNOW THIS AREA VERY WELL..I GREW UP ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF ST.PETE AND STILL HAVE TO GO OVER THERE TO VISIT MY MOTHER. AT NIGHT IT IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS, UNFORTUNATELY DRUGS HAVE A HOLD OF ALOT OF POOR VICTIMS CAUSING THEM TO VISIT THE AREA(RISKING THEIR LIVES OF BEING ROBBED OR KILLED). THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS,,,,,I THINK THAT MOTEL SHOWN IN THE PHOTO HAS A LOT TO DO WITH IT,,,,,ITS THE ONLY ONE LEFT IN THE AREA....I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND A CHURCH OR A POLICE SUB STATION SHOULD BE PUT UP IN ITS PLACE!!! I USED TO NOT BE ABLE TO GO FOR WALKS AT NIGHT IN MY MOMS AREA, BUT NOW I LIVE NORTH AND ITS LIKE ANOTHER WORLD....NICE AND SAFER

[Dr__Dug]

Gilbert..I have the solution....send them back to Africa with thier apology and Reebok sneakers!!
And leaving home because other people make things rough is the cowards way! How about we put them in chains to fix the problem! And Gilbert...don't be scared of Black people...just stand up to them!!

[TC]

Hey Dug..never said it was the same, I use puncuation, racist,(that's a comma) bigots. Oh, and I am NOT your sister, thank goodness!

[Dr_Dug]

XTC...you've got it! Everyone else likes to think its because of racsim. Its not...its fear of Blacks that make them closet bigots. If you were Black...it would be safer to walk down the streets on the South-side. The man killed was probably a thug who played the drug game for to long! Sad... but true.

[morganan]

Obviously, Dr. Dug, your doctorate is not in anthropology. Nor English grammer, I suspect. The Asians, Eskimos, Indians are part of the genetic variation I alluded to. Pick up a National Geographic sometime, or better yet, Darwin's Origin of the Species.

[kris]

Dr.Dug- are white people scared of black crime or just crime. Because im black, and I dont like any crime. Stop trying to make it a black thing. Not that it matters though, because nobody likes crime. And do you really think that one race perfected civilization? Or are you a 9 year old kid playing on your moms computer? If so, stop posting and go watch cartoons. And by the way, colonialism screwed up Africa. Do your research!

[WALLY REASON]

I dont understand why you can all get in an uproar because someone was murdered on the southside of st. pete. People are murdered everywhere.

Do any of you know the facts or circumstances behind the case? What was the "argument" about?

All your pontificating is ridiculous!!!

You know nothing about what happened.
Quit talking about "ohh we need to change this, its the blacks, its the whites, it's the cops, it's the area, its st. pete"....

NONE OF YOU ARE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!! SO STOP COMPLAINING AND SHUT UP UNTIL YOU ARE TAKING PROACTIVE STEPS TO CHANGE!

[XTC]

KILLINGS OF MEN AND WOMEN ARE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY EACH DAY. WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THE PRIZE AND THAT'S JESUS...HE'S COMING BACK REAL SOON....THESE ARE A SIGN OF THE TIMES. WE ALL NEED TO BE CLOSER TO GOD!!!

[Dr_Dug]

TC.... your not my sister, thank goodness, but you do act like a foolish little girl. How many people here date the other color? Yup...all closet bigots!! You don't go to thier NAACP meetings, clean up thier streets, marry thier black daughters or help guide the young from becoming thugs. Yup...all Bigots and running scared!

[Jeff]

This isn't a race or section of town thing, check the deceased criminal record and form your own opinion on what the cause and problem this gentlemen has.
http://www.pcsoweb.com/pages/who_jail.html

[WALLY REASON]

Good Pick Up Jeff!!!!
What's clear is that our justice system is a little to forgiving of people.

We need a stronger hand of justice to smack the cr** out of people. Same lines as the 10-20-Life when pulling a gun. Only thing, my tax dollars and going to pay for these a--holes to rot in jail...put them on a barge in the middle of the ocean and shoot holes in the hull of the barge

[Gilbert R. Ford]

Dr. Dug,
while I appreciate your recommendation, by golly whaa recommendation it was-in your 2:54PM, comment. Apparently your emotions got the best of you, and somehow-someway you overlooked the part about me being "AfrAm", I will give you a hint and no peeking either it is at the beginning of the 2d paragraph, its okay though, I often encounter that problem alot being that I watch over special needs kids!

[kate]

Dr Dug,

Please get a job. You are a useless individual who can't possibly have a legitimate income. Because you are constantly finding any article in the newspaper to make deragotary comments about. You are afraid of black people, if not go make your comments in the face of a brother. Letting him know you are standing up as a man face to face.

[tia]

Too many people are getting killed. If we would mandate that upon graduation (which should be required by law) all males have to serve 2 years in the military. For the dropouts, they should be required to sign up an extra year for every year of school they did not complete. I believe there would be alot less violence. Too many males are just wandering, making babies for the taxpayers to support. Look around at the grocery store checkout, those EBT cards cost taxpayers money also.
Free food, free rent, free baby formula, free birth control, free medical, no wonder these kids drop out of school, they do not need an education, the government takes care of them! They are good at making babies because that is all they know.
I also believe public housing is more like baby factories.

[Dr_Dug]

Jeff..I checked. Your right! Another example of how a white man can't go to the south-side. How many blacks have been killed in (N.E.)St.Pete or North St.Pete? NOW..how many have been killed on the South-Side? And what color was the person that did the killing? Yup...better a bigot that understands and confronts than a coward that hides in the shadows and closet. Knowing Blacks hate Whites helps caution while the rest that hide are waiting to be the next victim.

[XTC]

THE YOUNG MAN MAY HAVE NOT BEEN PERFECT, BUT WHO IS (EXCEPT FOR THE FATHER AND SON).. WE ALL HAVE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS WE HAVE TO GO THRU....BUT TO OVERCOME THEM WE HAVE TO TURN TO JESUS, LESS EVIL DEVOUR US. I PERSONALLY HAVE GONE THRU LOTS OF TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS AND GOD DELIVERED ME FROM ALL. THANK YOU JESUS!!!

[Dr_Dug]

Tia...why not men and women serve 2 years in the military. Equal rights for all felons! Tia...they have women in prisons too!

[Dr_Dug]

Hahahaha...Kate. I'm Retired at 40, living in N.E. St. Pete with two kids in college to become a doctor and lawyer. And I have spoken up many times....just as you expected. Of course your a closet bigot because you think that if I said "I dis-liked Black people" that there would be a probem? Obviously you expect a violent confrontation because THATS WHAT BLACKS DO!! Are you implying I couldn't speak my mind around Black people bacause they'd start trouble and would deny me my right to freedom of speech without violence? Kate...your a bigot because you expect them to commit violence. AGAIN... my point is valid....closet bigot!!
Maybe I should teach you and your family to get off all fours and stand up for yourselves and be honest about color. How's your Black husband doing?

[Dr_Dug]

Gilbert..are you telling me Blacks are considered specail needs children. OKAY!! I agree!

[Dr_Dug]

Kris... colonialism? Your Black ancestors sold your grandparents for financial gain. In Fact, Africa still has the highest rate for Slavery even in todays time. And...according to one fool...we all came from black ancestors. If thats true...then again every other culture has surpassed the Blacks proving they can live civil lives and improve life...something the Blacks think should just be given them because thier BLACK.

[WALLY REASON]

TIA::::

First You Stated:::::
If we would mandate that upon graduation (which should be required by law) all males have to serve 2 years in the military. For the dropouts, they should be required to sign up an extra year for every year of school they did not complete. I believe there would be alot less violence.

----SORRY...but I served 10 years in the Army and enlisting someone in the military without at the very least a high school diploma will not work. You will have complete idiots running around the battle field you cant train someone who isnt educated....AND I dare anyone that says the military are a bunch of idiots to confront me face to face and man up...reply here and we can meet in front of my old reserve unit in st. pete...just search the 320th MP Company.

Second:::::
Too many males are just wandering, making babies for the taxpayers to support.

----Lets not forget the other equation in that theory of yours...cant make a baby without a woman. Often times its the woman putting themselves in that scenario!!

[kris]

dr dug. obviously you dont know what colonialism is. look it up, study the effects, in any culture, and tell me what you come up with. But if you took the time to really look it up, you wouldnt reply. Look at what it did to the American Indian.

[kris]

dr. dug- also all slaves were not sold. most were captured and kidnapped.

[rj]

Dug: I AM a doctor. And younger than you. Grow up. Stop hiding behind the computer screen.

[Melissa]

Gosh all these postings about blacks. That kid looks white to me, a little inbred maybe, but white. He was from Pinellas Park after all.

[AM]

Wow Dr_Dug!!!! Please find a chat room to post these comments in. I am just trying to read the news and catch up on the events happening in my city and I have to read through your bulls#*t just to find comments that matter. No matter how you feel about 'blacks and the south side' your opinion is only fueling more anger and hatred!!! Just love life for what it is and stop focusing on the bad. Like you said, you have two children in college, what happens if one of them falls in love with a person of another race? Are you really going to isolate that person and possibly your son/daughter? Future grandchildren? Keep an open mind....you sound educated but what your typing here is completely childish. This is an article about a man who lost his life and you have spent hours on here proving your point that 'blacks don't belong here and are the source of all bad things' Lighten up and find a happy article to read that has nothing to do with race...

[tg]

Melissa grow up. ALL these postings show how insensitive people have become. I pray that a loved one of yours doesnt suffer a cruel death and then idiots post stupid comments like yours.

I have driven past this site almost every morning for 13 years and I am tired of watching prostitutes parade themselves along this stretch of 34th street. It is nothing new, but it is still shameless. The drugs flow freely in plain site and all the scummy hotels only attract more crime. Until St. Pete decides it wants to change, this section of town will always be a DUMP.

[From the "HOOD"!!]

LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING>>>> STOP JUDGING THE YOUNG BLACK YOUTH ON THE SOUTH SIDE .WHEN THE WHITE PEOPLE STOP PUTTING OUR FACE ON THE COVER OF SOME DUMB PAPPER AND START OFFERING JOB OPPERTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MADE MISTAKES AND TRYING TO CHANGE: THEN MAYBE YOU CAN STOP AT A RED LIGTH ON THE SOUTH SIDE WITH OUT GETTING ROBBED OR "MURC" PEOPLE DO CHANGE . I LIVED A RUFF LIFE IN ST. PETE FOR OVER 25YEARS IN AND OUT OF JAIL WHEN I TRIED TO CHANGE, BECAUSE OF MY PAST I WAS TURNED AWAY. I HAD TO MOVE TO SOUTH FLORIDA WHERE I AM WORK MAKING DAMN GOOD MONEY AND GOING TO LAW SCHOOL SO I CAN COME BACK TO ST. PETE AND CHANGE SOME THINGS!! YOUR LAWS HAVE BEEN TAKING AWAY AND LOCKING UP THE FATHERS OF THE KILLERS YOU FEAR TODAY..

[mike]

Wow! A lot of heated and racial comments...The fact is there is a lot of St. Pete that is ghetto. With white and black trash. Best bet is to avoid anything south of 22 av. north except Pasadena and near treasure island. Most other areas suck and are high risk. Nobody in their right mind would ever build or buy a house in southside...Besides all the trash laying all over the streets and yards, it's not a good investment..South St.Pete is just for people who can't afford to live in Seminole or largo or the beaches..

[mike]

To Hood: You are full of s..t. If you where in law school, you would know how to use spell check. There is no way to change the hood.. People who eave to become successful jut leave and never look back. You should do the same.

[A friend Of JASON MCDONALD]

I have know Jason since he was born, My grandmother babysat him, and so did I. He may not have been born part of our family but... he along with his sister and mother are a part of our family.
To grieve over a loss of a loved one that is expected is hard, but to have to grieve over a loved one that was taken so suddenly is a trememdous shock.
My heart goes out to Jason's mom, and sister, I want them to know I shed tears of saddness for them all.

For the person who pulled the trigger, I feel for you also. I dont know if you are white, black, hispanic, asia or any other race,that doesnt matter. You took the life of someone away. A choice that probally was not thought out but a spur of the moment decision. A choice that will haunt you for the rest of your life, no matter where you go, or what you do, that moment will always follow you. Even when you are caught, and you are standing before the jury and the judge, when your sentence has been handed down, when you are sitting in your cell. That choice you made will come back to you. The guilt will be unbearable, when you close your eyes, Jason's face will be there. You will re-live that moment over and over again.

For everyone else that keeps bring race in to the issue~~~~ I lived on the southside~ I GREW UP THERE~~ I AM WHITE! I have never had any problems when I am down there. Blacks, whites, mixed, asian, and hispanics all live down there. There are good, decent, hardworking people that live on the southside.
A drug dealer doesnt care what race you are. They only see green, $$ signs.
If you got the money, they got the time.

As far as SPPD goes! THEY ARE TOP NOTCH. Those officer save lives, they are there to protect and serve thier community. They are patroling while you are asleep, they are taking down criminals while you are rubber necking as you pass by. They put thier lives onn the line for you everyday.
If you dont beleive me, when you get in to trouble who do you call??? Humm??? Would that be the local crack head? NO you dial 911 and the Police show up.

Give some respect.
The people that dont like the Police are usually the ones that are part of the problems.

[Pegasus66]

I am a white girl living in south st pete for 11 years.

I do n ot see this shooting as racial.

IT IS A RESULT OF CRACK COCAINE WHICH IS A HUGE EPIDEMIC IN ST PETE AND YES IN SOUTH ST PETE

CRACK DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE......IT IS ALSO IN WHITE SUBURBIA,,,,AND THEY GO TO SOUTH ST PETE TO DO THEIR DRUGS, THEY ALSO DO THEM IN THE SUPBURBS

UNTIL THE CRACK COCAINE EPIDEMIC IS RESOLVED THIS SHALL CONTINUE

CRACK IS COLORLESS

WOW , i am apalled at the Mike comment here,,, I moved to Child's Park 11 years ago, I am a white female w/ a song.
We were treated very kind by all of our black neighbors, in fact the experiences I've had w/ this community in 11 years was FAR BETTER than those in white suburbia...
I have to let this be known.
It is a misconception what life is like, I have enjoyed living here and have known very hard working, honest, and people of GOD here in my 11 years .

i've seen very little racial things other than coming from the white community .
i have decided by very specific human behavior to stay on this side of the fence.
there are good people of all colors and classes & economic situations.

some of the worst & evil people I've known have definitely been in the subburbs, i have to tell you this truth....

I am continually amazed at how little people here are able to understand what it is really like, misconceptions from "appearances" are you really that unenlightened????

Ive seen this attitude prevalent from caucasions and it has given me some shame in being a caucasion myself,
but i happen to have experienced the TRUTH and seeing how very segragated St. pete was when I got here and observing the way each people acts on either side of the border,

caused me to CHOOSE the south Side,,,,

regardless of "appearances" and more deficient economics......

My prayers to the family. Your son was fighting the most difficult fight in life , the battling of his crack cocaine addiction. May his soul rest in peace. God have mercy on all of us. as we have ALL been a PART OF THE CRACK PROBLEM.

knowingly or unknowingly

but out of all the comments here I am amazed how no one even addressed the REAL PROBLEM. AND THAT IS
CRACK

I hate to tell you people this but crack is in the subburbs now TOO.....

the white community is supporting CRACK whether you live in white supremia or not/.......YOU ARE A PART OF THE PROBLEM, you just fool yourselves by not seeing the REALITY we see in S. Side, but at least WE know what is actually going on.......

I am apalled not surprised as I was 11 years ago about the racicism,,,,,,,,,

i feel prejeducied against the white man myself sometimes but it is not his color that prejudice s me towards him
it is his prejudices and visions of supremacy that prejudice me against him and his fellow man, a lot of it is PURE IGNORANCE.....

yes XTC it is a Crack Landmark , inn on the hill, i live near it and YES it is very dangerous and unless they CLOSE DOWN THAT ESTABLISHMENT IT WILL CONTINUE

TO BREED, CRACK , VIOLENCE & THEFTS....
AND

DEATH.

CRACK IS DEATH AND THAT IS A HOTBED OF IT, PROSTITUTION, AND MURDERS AND THEFTS ARE VIRTUALLY ALL RELATED TO CRACK COCAINE.........

Take away the Inn on the HIll!!!
it houses them

You all are missing the point.
HE DIDN'T SHOOT HIM BECAUSE HE WAS WHITE, HE SHOT HIM BECAUSE OF CRACK! PERIOD!
IT IS A NON RACE RELATED CAUSE OF DEATH, IT IS CRACK COCAINE,

CRACK DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE....YOU ARE USING THIS TO JUSTIFY YOUR OPINIONS, WHITES DOING CRACK AND ASSOCIATING WITH OTHERS THAT DO CRACK AND OR SELL CRACK RESULTS IN DEATH, REGARDLESS OF WHAT COLOR EVERYONE IS OR ISN'T????

I CAN'T BELEIVE THAT you can't see that???? i guess it allows you to defend your racism racisim is just WRONG period.

You all are missing the POINT of WHY this death occurred.

[Lisa]

Everyone wants to play the race card, by the way I am white, but no one kn ows who shot him. How do we know he is not a white man? Or women? They are still looking for this coward . God bless Jasons family, no loss is eer easy, no matter what the details are.

[Dora]

I have to agree, this was a crime dealing with drugs, not with race. No one can point the finger at another race, because every race has done their own evil. Germans persecuted the jews, japanese tortured and killed many victims of war, white people persectued other races based on religious beliefs, there is ALWAYS some horrible, violent crime waged on another group of human beings. what does that tell me? that we are all the same, we all make the same mistakes. This poor young man DIED. He got into trouble, and unfortunatley, no one could help him. Regardless of his situation he is no longer here with us on earth. Instead of pointing the finger, why don't we all get past the race thing. I do hear alot of complaining from black people how it's the white people's fault, and vice versa from white people. Instead we should be working past these stereotypes and realize that we are all God's children, and that we should be there for one another. Until we as people abandon the concept of looking out for ones self, and start helping or brothers and sister, of ALL RACES, then we will never grow past these horrible, violent crimes. I pray for the family of the victim, for his soul, for the man or woman that pulled the trigger, and their family. God bless.

[kate]

Dr. Dug,

Retired my foot at age 40. Did you retire from your parents or ancestors money or from some illegal proceeds or deeds? I guarantee it was not your hard earned money fool. Talk to the feet, because you are a low life who wants to be somebody. Fool yourself okay.

[kate]

Dr. Dug,

By the way my husband is retired military and a self made millionaire. So get your head out of your butt and realize people are people. You are a bigot. Hopefully your children will learn about diversity in school, because you don't have a clue man.

[kate]

Dr. Dug,

By the way my husband is retired military and a self made millionaire. So get your head out of your butt and realize people are people. You are a bigot. Hopefully your children will learn about diversity in school, because you don't have a clue man.

[Uncle Curt]

For those of you that are calling my nephew Jason E. McDonald garbage and trash I only hope this doesn’t happen to your family. This was a young man struggling with his addictions to a drug that has poisoned the minds of thousands of people everywhere look around you it’s in your neighborhood too. Don’t think it’s not it’s everywhere it’s called life some have a better life than others. This is not a life one chooses but simply an addiction. Something we all have whether it’s Drinking, Smoking or even Gambling which are all very strong and damning addictions but there is none greater than the one of crack cocaine. Look around your work place, your neighborhood, your own family you’ll be shocked at what you’ll find. There are thousands of family members, co-workers and neighbors struggling with these same problems and Jason was one of them yes. But he did not deserve to be gunned down in the street by another addict whom he and his partner beat Jason down with a 2x4 and then came back and shot him dead. A “COLD BLOODED KILLER” is much worse than an addict at least Jason had a Heart. Emanuel L. McCray was identified as the shooter, help us get him off the streets and stop the violence.

[WALLY REASON]

Uncle Curt...I am sorry this happened to your family but if you all new that this boy had an issue with drugs then you, as a loving family, should have stepped in and forced him into a treatment program. Quit blaming the drugs, it was his choice to do crack and his choice to live that way. If he wanted to make things better than he would have asked for help.

[Uncle Curt]

Wally Reason, Some body has been watching too much TV, in the real world where the rest of us live interventions are not as it seems. If it were we wouldn't have any addicts in the world. And if you think I'm blaming drugs for Jason's death you are mistaking about that I promise you. My blame lies with his killer "Emanuel McCray” not the drugs. Now if you will excuse me we have to say good bye to Jason for the last time.

[Friend]

I think what we are all forgetting here is that Jason was a Son, a Brother, nephew and friend to many many people. He was a human being. Jason had problems like many of us, but he was a kind loving person to all that knew him. You people have no idea, how dare you call him names, try to belittle him by putting his record on here and try to guess what you think you know of him. HOW DARE YOU!!!! I pray to God this never happens to any of you. Addictions are a hard thing to handle and if you have never had one, than you have no idea. Lets all work together to get this killer off the streets and to those of us saying goodbye to a young man today, God Bless .

[Dora]

God bless you, Friend and Uncle Curt, I'm so sorry for your loss, and you are right, it was not his addiction that killed him, it was another addict. And Wally Reason, unfortunatley, as much love you might have for someone addicted to anything, love will not save them, they have to be ready for the treatment, and sadly, Jason wasn't. It was very disrespectful to the poster who put up the link to his record. It's too late for this young man, but hopefully parents out there can learn from Jason, and talk to their kids before its too late for them. Again, God bless Jason's family.

[WALLY REASON]

Dora,
Is any addict ready for treatment??? NO, they have to be forced into it. I know from personal experience. As far as his record...its public knowledge, accessible to anyone. Its used in a court of law to show someones character. Is a murderer on trial known by the jury? NO, but 99.9% of the time his record is taking into account to show what type of character the person has and shows patterns of behavior.

Uncle Curt,
Once again, I am truly sorry for "your" loss (if you happen to be his uncle). No I dont watch to much TV, I know about intervention from personal experience...sorry but it's my belief that this could have been stopped along time ago. Yes he was killed by another addict, but he could have been somewhere else. Ironic as today's events are taking place at "Solid Rock"....
I truly mean you all no harm, I am exercising my right to free speech, and freedom of the press. Just like everyone on here.

[tt.st.pete]

You go Teresa, we were raised on the Southside of St. Pete and left to raise our children further north. Mayor Baker needs to stop trying to upgrade Downtown St.Pete and do something about the strip on 34th St. Those hotels are nothing but for drug dealings and hookers and Rick Baker looks the other way. Why Mr. Baker?? Thye all need to be closed down and leveled! Everyone has known that for years. I just left the service for Jason at Solid Rock and to see a 26 year old man laying in a coffin was sick, he didn't deserve to die like that. Jason was a good young man that got in with the wrong crowd, yes it was a black slim ball that did this but he needs to be found and turned in for justice. And as far as the SPPD I know a hand full of them personally and they risk the lives of themselves out there on the streets trying to keep it safe for the families to have a safe life and raise children in the right way. It all starts with God not color. We need to tell our young men and ladies they need to act like young man and ladies. Not trash because that's not what they are, we are all made in God's image and he doesn't look at the outside he looks at the inside, at your heart. That's what's wrong with the country today, people have gotten lazy and they don't want to take the children or grandchildren to church and teach them right from wrong, so where do you think they are going to learn it? From your neighbors? From the teachers at school? No they need to start at home and as parents we need to stand up and say enough is enough. Jason was a sweet kid that got in with the wrong crowd, we all know so many people like that. I knew Jason when he was growning up across the street fromy my parents house. If anyone knows where this scum is that killed Jason please do the right thing and turn him in, he doesn't need to be on the streets he needs to be locked up.

[Dora]

Wally Reason, I have to beg to differ. An addict cannot quit if they aren't ready. That's why with such strong drugs like this, you don't see a high success rate, but you do see a small one. There are addicts who realize they have a problem and want to stop. With your personal expererience, whether it was you or not, the person was ready, whether they admited it or not. But someone who does not think they have a problem, and do not want to quit obviously will not put forth the effort or will power they will need to put forth in order to kill the habit. Everything happens for a reason, I hope that his family finds peace knowing that there are other out there praying for them. I'm sorry for his family's loss.

[LOW LIFE PEOPLE!!!!]

everybody who has something negative to say..why are u even on here reading..u say black people need to find somethin else to do with there lives or find a job or something..what do u think ur doin?? ur wastin ur time to read about crimes and make big statements about it..so whose wastin whose time?? go find sumthing else better to do with urself like wash da dog or sumthin..and let these people do what they do and get punished how they r punished hell its not ur problem!!!

[sinner]

My prayers are with everyone in this world right now. You can only survive with God being your guide. It is a tough and narrow way, but it is the ONLY way!