An opinion from a different view-The tragic death of Dallas Crenshaw

I do not mean to "jump" into this seemingly heated battle between the older (and I quote) "40-year-old prozac poppin" people or the "Thug-life wannabe" community so I would like to share my personal first-hand experience with parties, drugs, and the "Tragedy That Burst the Bubble." Just weeks before I will be attending a very reputable service academy to play basketball I decided to stop by a party at a friend's house to say my last goodbyes. Both Kevin Johnston and Dallas Crenshaw were at this party along with absolutely no parental guidance (should sound ironically fimiliar to to the setting at the Canderozzi's house EXACTLY one week later.) Drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana seemed to be the majority of the activities at this particular party as well. I happend to go outside to the back deck and sit down next to BOTH Kevin Johnston AND Dallas Crenshaw. I had known Dallas for quite some time so of course I said hello and asked "how are you," or "whats new," something along those lines. Kevin on the other hand, was occupied watching music videos on his cellular phone. I found this extremely unusual considering a large group of people were gathered and socializing. Throughout the night he seemed as if he did not "fit-in," or have much in common with anyone there. He then proceeded to pull a fairly decent sized bag of marijuana out of his bookbag and show the people around him. To make a long story short he found pleasure and joy in showing people his latest and greatest gizmos and/or posessions. NOBODY was killed and EVERYONE looked out for their friends that night. I personally drove a friend COMPLETELY out of my way to his house so that he would not have to drive under the influence. BY no means am I glorifying drinking, drugs and partying without parental guidance, but I am saying this: Alcohol and Drugs are not shooting people with a handgun. Dallas just happend to be in the wrong place at such an awful time. I do find Kevin a bit....unique in his ways of standing out and being "cool," and I believe this desire to fit in led to his idiotic move of bringing a gun anywhere, or even having it for that matter. Dallas did say some very juvenile and sophomoric things on his myspace, but thats why they call it M Y space! To some it serves as an electronic diary, to say the things you feel inside. If you don't believe me read the comments people leave on the late Dallas Crenshaw's or Ashleigh Webster's Myspace page. This has already turned out to be a tragedy, the grown-ups need to start acting like grown-ups and realize that these "PTC Gansters/Thugs," or whatever they claim to be are just young and naive. I am 20 years old and realize the desire to fit in and what have you in high school because I've been in their shoes very recently. However, the teenagers do need to realize one thing, and I say this from experience, your parents, teachers, coaches, or any other authority figures are going to be brutal and seemingly insensitive on you because they CARE about you! Believe it or not they want the best for you and strive to keep you out of trouble. When they see this hood hop nonsense on the internet they worry that this will happen to you. Most of you know me and know that I am right there with you. Party and enjoy your youth, but be cautious of those who are amongst you. I hope my views and experiences shed light on this terrible and tragic situation. God bless to all and may the Crenshaws find the will and the strength to move forward in such a dark time.