I hate the world sometimes

Our mailman was approaching retirement age, nice guy, talked to him from time to time because I work from home. He's related to my ex-wife's neighbor and they also say good things about him. Yesterday, he was gunned down a few houses up the road from me while making his rounds. I quite literally live in Mayberry...this was a big shock to everyone. Apparently, he had to move away from his neighbor a while ago because the neighbor was convinced he was trying to poison his family. This neighbor stalked him and found out his route, and just drove out to my quiet little neighborhood to murder him in his mail truck in broad daylight. The killer then drove to the nearest police station and turned himself in. (Thank goodness that he didn't decide to go on a killing spree)  I was home when it happened, I had mail in my mailbox for him to pick up, he had mail in his truck for me when he died. I am just sick.

Sorry to be such a bummer, I'm not making any political statements here, the world is generally a great place, but some days it just plain sucks. 

Sorry about your friend.  Sounds like mental health issues with the shooter.  I wish your friend's family and loved ones the best.

Neighbor's a whack, unfortunately he won't go to a real life prison but some sort of a hotel mental place.  Jerk needs a few years in the tombs playing drop the soap with Bubba.

Go hug your kids .....

dang, that's terrible.  i'm sorry you lost your cool mailman.  

The opposite of going postal. RIP mailman.

Well... I was going to make a pithy and sarcastic comment...

Now I've got nothing.

That's just horrible.

Sorry to hear about your mailman.

Pretty sure all the added stress from our current global situation is pushing a lot of people who were barely holding it together over the edge.

wow, that is awful. Sorry that happened to him and to your neighborhood.

Jesus. I think I'll take people waving a gun in my face a little more serious when I'm land surveying. 

ShawnG said:

Sorry to hear about your mailman.

Pretty sure all the added stress from our current global situation is pushing a lot of people who were barely holding it together over the edge.

I'm seeing it and feeling it, lots of people need help but have never had to ask and don't know how. Very rough everywhere.

There are no words.  I'm sorry, feels so inadequate.  

That's awful. Such a senseless crime committed by somebody who is obviously mentally ill. Having a public facing job like that makes it even easier for a kook like that to find him. 

What a heart breaking tragedy.

Tragic.

Sadly, moving does nothing from a voiced threat. That is not normal behavior. Precusionary statements are grounds for a mental health evaluation. 

I can't imagine. Very sorry to hear that. 

It is impossible to know exactly how you feel, but seeing so much tragic and senseless loss so close to myself has given me an idea of the helplessness and despair you may be feeling.

Please reach out if you need to talk more about this.   To me, here, or somewhere.   Stress levels are about as high as I have ever seen them for most everyone, and sometimes you can't just shrug it off anymore.

That’s awful, I’m so sorry to hear this.  Condolences to you and to your friends’s family, no one should have to go through this.   

I'm torn. I hate the world a little more after hearing that, but a little less because you're here talking about it and being supported. Prayers tonight for your mailman's family--I know it's the ultimate useless offering, but I still hope that voices raised to the universe do something.

Margie

"but some days it just plain sucks. "  prayers for his family  and all  those that knew him and loved him.....not right y'all peace out late .....

Sorry to hear about him. I read about it earlier today.

These types of random crimes just hurt more.  First, there's no explanation for them.  You can't even say "wrong place, wrong time".  Second, they make us feel exposed.  We like to think we can insulate ourselves and our families by being careful where we go, when we go there and who we associate with.  To an extent we can.  These types of events show that there are exceptions, and that steals some of our sense of security.  

30 years in law enforcement tells me there's nothing I can say that's going to make it feel better.  I'm also not going to promise you "something good will come of it", because that isn't always true.  I can tell you I've seen dozens, maybe even hundreds of people try to cope with greater and lesser exposures to the inhumanity of man.  Doing something active and positive is the only tonic I know of.  Bring donuts to the fire station, raise money for his family or just help out a neighbor in need.  Swim against the tide so it doesn't carry you out.  

Im terribly sorry to hear this.

When you say you literally live in Mayberry - youre in Mount Airy? Im in Winston, not too far away

Marjorie Suddard said:

I'm torn. I hate the world a little more after hearing that, but a little less because you're here talking about it and being supported. Prayers tonight for your mailman's family--I know it's the ultimate useless offering, but I still hope that voices raised to the universe do something.

Margie

As always, Marjorie is able to put things in perspective with a kind word.

This is very sad. 

Take all threats seriously.   Someone starts spouting off they want to kill you, believe it.  Especially if they start showing off the weapons they are going to use. 

Wow.  I am at a loss for words.  Thoughts and prayers to the post mans family.  And to you Pinchvalve, and your family and neighbors that have to deal with this.