Three months, six days…ninety-seven days…2,328 hours…139,680 minutes….8,380,800 seconds. That is how long it has been since my friend’s son was murdered. She has grieved every second of every minute of every hour of every day while she waits for justice. His sister has tried to continue on with her life while she grieves the loss of someone so important to her that she doesn’t know what to do without him. His close-knit family tries to bring comfort while dealing with their loss at the same time. The mother of his unborn son struggles to cope with the loss of the man she loved and the daunting task of making sure her son knows how amazing his father was and how much his father already loved him.
His name was Joshua Wolverton. He was a normal twenty-year-old. He had a large, eclectic group of friends and was loved by most people who had the good fortune to know him. He was a fighter and always stood up for the underdog. He was not perfect, but he was a genuinely good person. Late in the afternoon, on May 16, 2021, his life ended when he was shot to death after an altercation with someone.
Now I will not discuss particulars about his murder because his case is still open and no arrests have been made at the present time. I will instead talk about what has become an increasingly bigger problem in our small, eastern NC town. Death due to gun violence.
Joshua Wolverton is one of four victims who have lost their lives to fatal shooting. Two of the cases have been closed through arrest. Joshua Wolverton’s and Patrice Matthews-Faison’s cases remain open because the authorities have not made arrests yet.
I did not know the other victims personally. However, I did know Josh. I have known his mother and sister for quite a few years. They have allowed me to witness their grief and try to be a comfort to them at times, as best I could. I have watched as his mother has tried to make sense of the senseless act that took her only son from her. I have watched as she and her daughter have tried to do everything they could to assist the police with the investigation while dealing with crippling loss and emotional pain. They work feverishly for the only thing they can now hope for: justice. The only way justice will be served is through honesty.
Now, for the tough part. The doing what is right even when it is not easy part. That’s right; I said it. Our little town is filled with people who love God and love their neighbor and live right but choose to turn a blind eye to injustice. We choose to ignore it when it doesn’t directly affect us or when facing the truth scares the hell out of us. We tell ourselves to mind our own business; to not get involved.
Whether we do it out of fear, or self-preservation or some misguided belief that it is best not to get involved, it is still wrong. To know what is right and not do it is wrong. How do we expect anyone in any situation to receive justice if we remain silent; if we lie; if we fail to share what we know? Until we stand together in truth there will be no justice.
I implore you to think about this. Imagine what the mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, grandparents, families and friends of those whose loved ones’ lives have been taken from them must feel every day. No more birthdays or holidays. Mo more special memories to be made. Nothing but memories and trinkets to hold on to. No peace because their loved ones were taken and the only hope they have for closure is justice. And, the only way to receive justice is for those who have the answers to come forward…but, for some reason they won’t.
Imagine what you would feel like if the shoe were on the other foot and you were the one who had someone irreplaceable taken from you and no one cared enough to help? How would you feel if you felt like you were the only one who cared about justice for your lost loved one? How would you feel if you had to relive the horror all over again every time another person died at the hands of another? How would you cope with that loss and devastation? I’m sure you would appreciate all the endless sentiments and prayers that were offered you, but you would rather have people speak up and put an end to your nightmare.
We need to stand together and work together to find a way to end the senseless killing that is becoming common place in our community. We need to lift our mothers and families and friends up who are grieving and work together with them to find justice for their lost. We need to remember the names Patrice Matthews-Faison and Joshua Wolverton and speak them regularly until justice is served on their behalf. That is all anyone can do for them now. We need to stand for reform and discover why it is becoming so “normal” in our little town for people to resort to murder and find a way to change that.
I think it should go without saying that if you have information regarding either of these two ongoing murder investigations that you should contact the police and offer full cooperation. Giving their loved ones closure is the kindest gift they could be given at this point. Silence is never golden in this situation. You never know how many lives can be saved by simply telling the truth.
May those we have lost rest in power and may those they have left behind find peace.
Thank you all for letting me bend your ear, so to speak.
Health, happiness and good vibes to all…
