Matthew Oxendine

We all have a family member like him.  That one who needs a little more love, a little more attention.  The one who has struggled with mental health problems or drugs or alcohol.  Who’s maybe a little rough around the edges, maybe been in trouble with the law a few times.  But who would probably give you the shirt off of his back if he had one.  Or even help you out when he could barely help himself.  We all have a relative like Matthew.  I want you to picture your relative when you listen to this story, or maybe even imagine that this is your own child.  Imagine they call 911 for help and say they are going to harm themselves.  And then imagine, instead of an EMT or counselor or even a police officer, the SWAT team is sent out and they surround your loved one holding AR-15s and rifles.  And imagine you are watching, and you know you can calm your loved one down, and you beg the SWAT team to leave.  But they don’t.  And soon those AR’s are aimed at him, and soon the bullets are flying while you watch in horror.  And then, someone you’ve loved your whole life is gone in an instant, to a place they can never return from.  This is the story of the killing of Matthew Oxendine.