It takes a lot to shock a community hardened by decades of violent crime. However, the senseless killing of a gas station attendant who was fully complying with those robbing him has managed to accomplish just that.
Abd El Ghader Sylla hadn’t been working at the Shell station near Williams and West Esplanade long, but it tragically turned out to be too long. This poor soul was simply minding the store when, early Monday morning, two masked men brandishing guns told him to get on his knees and empty the register.
He complied, even staying on his knees while approaching and opening the cash register and handing over its contents.
Then, while kneeling with his hands up and pleading for his life, he was shot in the abdomen and left to die by a gutless, soulless, coward. The gunman also left Abd El Ghader Sylla’s pregnant wife and one-year-child to fend for themselves. The thugs then fled with the take – a mere one hundred dollars.
What would you do in that situation? Is there any right thing or wrong thing to say when dealing with an armed animal? That’s what I asked Peter Scharf, Adjunct Professor and Criminologist at LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, this morning. His answer may surprise you. What you think would elicit a merciful response may do just the opposite.
