Marcellus Richard Andrews was taken off life support on Sunday. Last Friday, the 19 year old was sitting on a friend’s porch. A number of unidentified suspects stopped a pickup truck in front of the house. They allegedly mocked the young man’s name by calling him “Mercedes,” and called him “faggot.” His friends came to his defense, and during the verbal taunting a punch was thrown—Andrews’ friends admit to starting the fight. The young man ended up on the ground.
“I tried to help him up, and then this boy ran back and kicked him in his face,” said Nakita Wright, one Andrews’ friends.
Emergency personnel and the police were called. He was transported to hospital with severe head injuries. The student was to start studying interior design in the fall (he apparently bought his textbooks). He was also slated to participate in a competition with his church’s step team.
As Towleroad notes Waterloo has been getting much attention recently because it’s the hometown of Rep. Michele Bachmann. We all know how the interwebs works. Folk will leave messages all over the place, blaming Bachmann’s rhetoric for the crime. There is much she needs to be taken to the woodshed for. Her rank homophobia and racism, two prejudices she mined on her way up the political ladder, come to mind. No fan of the Bachmann clan, but she has nothing to to do with this young man’s death. Nothing. Anyone who suggests otherwise is simply using his bones to make a political point.
Here is a link to a memorial Facebook page for the deceased. Blessings to his family and friends. Hopefully the police find the culprits.
