Antiq Hennis was just 16 months old when he was shot in the head last weekend. Shot as he was being pushed in his stroller by his gang banger dad. Shot by a gang banger who apparently had a beef with Antiq's father. Shot and killed, and giving up his life for a street a mindless street battle he couldn't possibly understand. Killed before his life could really get started.
For the folks in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, the shooting in broad daylight at a busy street corner just burnished the fear they feel every day. Their streets not so much under control as they are under the gangs. Why shoot a baby? That's the question they have been asking.
Few would talk about what they apparently knew - the identity of the shooter. But someone did, quietly - because cops raided a home in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania today, and arrested the man they say pulled the trigger.
What's it going to be like at the funeral today? Antiq's dad went off on reporters who have been covering this tragic story earlier this week - yelling and threatening. He'll be at the funeral today. Will the crew members of the man who will be charged with shooting the baby also be there, seeking revenge?
It's a never-ending pathetic drama. And until the good people of the community demand an end to it, it will continue. I'm just sayin'. Josh Einiger is covering the funeral and the arrest for us, at 11.
Also at 11, it's supposed to be an economic summit in Moscow - but the big topic on the agenda is Syria. Pres. Obama, who ran for office promising to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, now trying to launch air strikes against yet another Muslim country.
He's taking to the airwaves on Tuesday night, speaking to the nation to make his case about why the U.S. should attack Syria, to punish them for killing hundreds of their own citizens with sarin gas.
No President of course would take military action without making his case to the American people, but Mr. Obama clearly hears the growing drumbeats against his proposal. Congress doesn't exactly seemed poised to approve the military strike, and public opinion polls show Americans aren't exactly calling for action either.
The President will make his case on the night of New York City's primary election, and on the eve of the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. New Yorkers - and everyone in the Tri-State - will be forgiven if they're just a little concerned about retaliation here sparked by an attack on Syria.
We'll have the latest on the crisis, tonight at 11.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Amy Freeze (in for Lee Goldberg) with her weekend AccuWeather forecast, and Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.
Subscribe to my page on Facebook at facebook.com/billritter.wabc.
Follow my tweets at www.twitter.com/billritter7.
