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Pocono News Section
Scranton's West Side Shocked After Gang Murder Arrest
Scranton's West Side Shocked After Gang Murder Arrest - Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 6:30PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 @ 06:30pm EST
WEST SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Shock in Scranton after two high school seniors were arrested for a gang murder. Three people, including the two students, are accused of killing Allen Fernandez last month.
Prosecutors called the murder a hired hit. All of the suspects are alleged members of the "Bloods" gang. The arrests are the talk of this neighborhood tonight.
The district's superintendent says the gang issue is not just isolated to the schools, itÕs also a city and county problem.
They were football standouts. Tonie Future and Christian Kenyon. Now the two teens are accused killers and gang members standouts for all the wrong reasons.
People who live in west side say gangs are nothing new though. Cameo Rawlings of West Scranton said, ÒYeah, there's quite a few gang problems in Scranton. I didn't know Tony Future was a part of it."
Cameo Rawlings knows many of the accused. She was somewhat shocked to hear about the arrests. She hung out with many of the suspects including future. ÒHe was kinda the laid back, but very aggressive type," added Rawlings.
Parents of students in the district are expressing fear. One woman didn't want her identity shown.
ÒIt is very scary because you live so close to the school and your kids could be hurt," she said.
Eyewitness News talked with many other parents and students in West Scranton about the gang arrests. None of them wanted to go on camera...but they said they're just as shocked and concerned.
School Superintendent Bill King says the district is proactive in safety measures and identifying gangs. Last year Bob McGuire gave a presentation to teachers. He offered us advice to parents on Thursday on what to look out for. ÒParents should be looking for gang writings in their households, on their tablets, in their notebooks," said McGuire.
Also look out for gang colors and increasing gang slang. ÒKnow all of their friends. Know who they are. Know who their parents are. If they change life-long friends and start hanging around new ones, meet them," said McGuire.
The third person arrested for murder was 25-year-old Jeffery Future. The Scranton School Superintendent plans to meet with the city's police chief and members of the D. A.Õs office Friday morning. They're going to talk about ways they may be able to address the gang problem. | | |
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