It can happen in your hometown

The headline called it a crime of passion.

The town of Crandon, Wis. is a small town of about 1,900 people where acccording to one resident, everybody knows everybody. It is by all accounts a peaceful, non-violent town. Murders don't happen in Crandon. Until last weekend.

The quiet midwestern town is now gireving the loss of six young people who were discovered shot dead at a home early morning Sunday, Oct. 7. Townsfolk never thought such a tremendous tragedy could strike their hometown.

Apparently, according to the Tribune, Tyler Peterson, 20, was a full time Forest County Sheriff's deputy and part time Crandon police officer until this off-duty officer went on a "shooting rampage" killing the six teen-agers and young adults. Peterson was killed by gunfire later about 8 miles north of Crandon. The Crandon police chief would not elaborate on the details.

The Tribune article said they were all real good kids. Just "run-of-the-mill" regular kids, the 7 young people who were at a pizza and movie party at a white two-story duplex.

Crandon folks may never know what happened exactly or why. The residents are calling it a crime of passion. Peterson may have been involved with a young woman who lived in the duplex. One theory is the relationship ended and Peterson went into a fit of jealousy. The young woman is one of the victims shot dead in the white two-story duplex.

Crime of passion? Fit of jeolousy? However you phrase it, what it is, is domestic violence.

The young mother of one of the victims, a 14-year-old girl, is still hoping she will wake up and it will all have been a bad dream. The nightmare may have just begun for the families of the 6 victims, 1 survivor and the entire town of Crandon — where everbody knows everybody.

The town is in shock one resident said. Peterson was a reasonable guy. He was laid back and "didn't seem like they type of person who would go on a shooting rampage or murder someone," one resident said.

But how does one know what type of person will go on a shooting rampage? How does one recognize a murderer?

When you think "It can't happen to me" or "stuff like that doesn't happen in this quiet little town" think again. It can happen anywhere. It can happen everywhere. It can happen here.

October is domestic violence awareness month. Here are some things you should know:

* Every 11 seconds a woman is beaten in the United States, according to the FBI.
* Every 45 seconds a woman in the United States is raped, according to the FBI.
* About 30 percent of women seeking tretment in hospital ER's are victims of abuse from husbands or boyfriends.
* 1 in 3 females and 1 in 6 males will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime.
* Sexual violence is not an impulsive, uncontrolable act. Most assaults are planned by the assailant.
* Sexual assault is never the victim's fault.
* 30 to 50 percent of female high school students experience dating violence.
* 40 percent of teenage girls know of someone who has been beaten by a boyfriend.
* 30 percent of all murdered teeange girls re killed by a current or former boyfriend.

Could the tragedy in Crandon have been avoided or prevented? Only Peterson knows what went wrong that tragic night. There may never be an answer to that question. But if you or someone you know is being hurt, or in an abusive relationship, there is help. Trust your instincts and don't downplay the danger. If you feel unsafe, you probably are. Take threats seriously. Relationships are the most lethal when a victim tries to end a relationship.

In an emergency call 911.
If you need an advocate or help, call the crisis line at 1-800-933-6914.

Coming in the Messenger you will meet some very brave people who have over come domestic violence. Parts of the stories are graphic as one victim described a nightmarish event. The stories can be perceived as sad, but actually send a message of courage and hope.

The people shared their stories with me because: Silence hides violence. Love shouldn't hurt. Dating violence is wrong. It is also against the law.

Those are all catchy slogins. But they are more than advertising jargin. They are all very true statements.

Please, take a stand. Get involved in peace and non-violent initiatives. Take a moment to think about what could happen in your small town. In this small town. In your hometown. Before violence leaves behind a hole even hate cannot fill.

Peace.