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A&T mourns slain student

Friday, January 30, 2009

(Updated 4:35 pm)

By Ryan Seals
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — As tears streamed down mourners’ faces at N.C. A&T, Samuel Moseley issued a challenge Thursday evening in remembrance of Dennis Hayle.

“Take this tremendous loss and turn it into something positive. Turn it into a celebration of excellence. Turn it into something ... that it will be that which you know Dennis would say, 'Well done,’ ” Moseley, chairman of the school’s political science and criminal justice department, told a packed Harrison Auditorium.

He urged them to continue the legacy of the 22-year-old senior political science and criminal justice major, who was shot to death early Sunday morning outside his apartment near campus.

Mourners said Hayle had a life mission to improve the lives of others. That included everything from feeding the homeless with his Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers to mentoring young children so they could find a better life through education.

“Dennis was a young man with high standards and high morals and a good Christian follower,” said his mother, Stephanie Hayle, in a video message played at the memorial.

“He was loved by many people and touched many lives,’’ she said. “He gave (those he mentored) hope.”

The ceremony honored Hayle with a video slide show entitled “Remembering and cherishing the life of a great man,” songs, poems, presentations and condolences from administrators and university factions.

Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson spoke, offering her condolences on behalf of the City Council and residents.

They recalled how Hayle called himself “Mr. Long Island” in keeping with his Hempstead, N.Y., roots. They spoke of his passion for his fraternity and giving back to the community. Several speakers mentioned Hayle’s smile and dimples “you could swim in.”

“He was a son, a brother, a student, a leader, a friend. We shall never forget his kind and friendly spirit,” student Kia Goosby said. “Dennis was a great example of what it meant to live your life to the fullest and cherish your friends and family.”

As the A&T campus was mourning Hayle’s death, concerned residents, Greensboro police and other law enforcement agencies went door-to-door near the Campus Courtyard apartments in search of information about his killing.

Police handed out fliers, talked to residents and asked for any information on the shooting, which happened at 3:35 a.m. Sunday at 805 Homeland Ave.

“(We need to) get over this culture of being silent and start speaking out about what we’ve seen and not fear criminals,” said Ray Tripp, a resident who assisted with the door-to-door effort. “We need to signal that senseless violence will not be tolerated here in Greensboro.”

Police said they have no motive for the shooting and are continuing to follow new leads as they come in.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Jerry Wolford (News & Record)

Photo Caption: A&T students weep Thursday during a memorial for Dennis Hayle.

HAVE A TIP?

Police ask anyone who has information about the homicide of Dennis Hayle or who may have seen anything suspicious around Campus Courtyard Apartments about 3:35 a.m. Sunday to call Crime Stoppers at 373-1000. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

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snowman

January 30, 2009 - 9:53 am EST

First and foremost, this is another tragic loss.

But, why is it that when a black young person loses their life the media is all over it. Just like when Scotty from Southern Guilford High School was killed in the car accident. There have been several young white people to lose their life over the past months including another student from Southern Guilford High School and you the media only have a small article in referance to their lose. But in a black persons case you hear it for weeks.

This is very puzzlin............................................

cyclone10

January 30, 2009 - 10:21 am EST

Snowman: The way the media reacts is a direct reflection of how the community surrounding the victim reacts. This individual touched so many lives in his 22 years and our community recognizes that and wants to CELEBRATE his life, and make a point that things have to be done better.

Additionally, death via a car accident versus a senseless murder deserve different treatment in the media, and in the community that is affected.

BabyNOBB

January 30, 2009 - 11:08 am EST

Snowman...that is about the most ignorant thing that I have ever heard. It is not a race issue. It is about popularity, the impact that this young man has had on others and the nature of the crime. They know that this man was shot, but they don't know who did it. It wasn't by a car. If this was a situation of similar nature at UNCG with a white student and he had achieved so much and has given so much of himself to others and was well known by so many students....it would be the same. There was recently a young black high school student that was also killed in an accident. The media covers the story and moves on. Look at all the details of the situation before assuming that the media simply favors incidents regarding race.

My condolences to the mother, his family and friends and everyone affected by this tragedy. I watched the video of his mother and it was heart felt and very upsetting to watch. I feel for her and could not possibly understand what she is going through. My prayers are with the family and I hope that the GPD are able to get some leads that will lead to a suspect. That will help allow closure for many.

jeed

January 30, 2009 - 12:29 pm EST

Have you never seen Nancy Grace? It would lead you believe only white women "go missing."

I'm in Atlanta (from Greensboro), and I know more - through the media - about the life of the former SGA President at UNC who was gunned down than you'll ever know about this young man. Like others have said, it's NOT a race thing. Far from it. People just seem to see what they choose to see.

Peace & Blessings to Dennis' family - both immediate and extended. Peace & Blessing to the Aggies.

John Robinson

January 30, 2009 - 2:38 pm EST

Snowman, I'm the editor of the paper. Are you saying that our coverage of Mr. Hayle is OK, but that we don't pay appropriate attention to white victims? I assure you we would pay similar attention to the murder of a white student at, say, UNCG, particularly as the community organized memorial services and the police canvassed the neighborhood in the way they did.

Ryan Seals

January 30, 2009 - 2:49 pm EST

With every victim of a homicide or any other tragic loss for that matter. Sonja Elmquist and I - the two public safety reporters at the N&R - make every effort to write a story about the life of the person lost. It's not a black thing, it's not a white thing or any other race for that matter.

Granted some stories do get more play than others. Why? Because every death is different. Some family members and friends will willingly talk to the media about their loved one. Others shun us, over fear about the suspect at large or other reasons.

Some draw huge public memorials, others have private services... every case is different.

In any case, we make every effort to write about the person as much as possible regardless of race.

Aggielady

January 30, 2009 - 9:39 pm EST

Snowman,

What you are saying is by no means accurate. Blacks are dying everyday by violent means. Do they get the "news coverage" as others. No. The SGA president of UNC, a white female, was on the top story for days. Most of todays news is about white females who are victims. Other races in addition to whites are victime too, why are they not equally represented? This trageic event needs to be covered, as with any murder case. Without the media, many of these cases would go unsolved. I'm really sorry about the car accident, and in no means am I saying that their life was less important. However, this type of case derserves more media coverage in hopes that someone in the viewing area knows how to find the low life who did this crime.

notoriousBLOG

January 30, 2009 - 11:08 am EST

"Deserves different treatment"? Like the mayor showing up? It's nothin but politics. If these people were concerned they would start doing something about what caused his death. CRIME commited by young blacks. Punks, thugs gangstas whatever you want to call it. The problem does not go away because you ignore it.

BabyNOBB

January 30, 2009 - 11:16 am EST

The problem is not CRIME committed by young blacks....it's CRIME! You are assuming that is the problem based on no evidence. Look throughout the news in general on here or CNN or wherever....young blacks are not committing all the crimes. "These people" can't prevent crime. What are your suggestions? A response to that problem would be interesting....we would be able to do away with police all together if you solve that issue.

snowman

January 30, 2009 - 5:05 pm EST

Reply to everyone's comments:

I'm calling it the way I see it. In the case of Taylor Allred at Southern Guilford High School a white kid, a VIP Program was established in his honor and The News & Record, did not cover this story.

Also, in reply to how someone's death accured is irrelevant, a loss is a loss.

djmonroe

March 20, 2009 - 12:40 pm EDT

Sir I dont mean to be rude, but if you are calling it the way you see it, then you need glasses. Granted losing a life period in any situation that could have been prevented is terrible, but these two accounts are not the same thing. On one hand you have a young man that lost his life by a mistake or miscalculation made on the highway either by him or someone else(mistake), but in the case of Dennis, how many times do you walk up to your door at night by yourself and think nothing of it. This man was about to go in his house when someone came up to him and purposely shot him on purpose. What makes it so bad is that the person that did is still out there. Im praying for you and the two families but think about it the next time you walk up to your door.

gemini1989

March 28, 2009 - 2:02 am EDT

OK Snowman...I can see what your getting at or where your coming from but in this Case, its is DIFFERENT. When someone is Killed in a car accident, it is covered by the media and then moved on...They dont spend days of coverage reporting an accident unless there are other details in a case. My classmate was killed in a car accident they covered it for one day and then the next day it was on to something new..guess what NEWS FLASH people die everyday. But in this case someone took his life on PURPOSE..and they constantly cover it because its a NEWS update and hopefully viewers who watch can come forth with information. My friend from Durham was killed Saturday by her step father..they have been covering it since then only because that case is still open. As bad as this might seem but its buiss and the media need a story. Now there have been big reports on car accidents but its only for memorial services..so If your school didnt honor him or do something big for him this is NOT the media fault this is the schools fault. The media ONLY report on what we give. and if A&T didnt acknowledge what he did for that school and community then the Media wouldnt have anything to cover. So please dont make this about you, or sound ignorant. Because people you know and people i know have lost their lives. This is not a race to see who can get the most media coveraage the most important thing you should be worried about is the Loss of your loved one. and btw Eve Carson was white and she got top story for over a week. Many ignorant people said the same thing you said...well what if she was black?? why does it matter. Someone took a innocent life..so grow up, wake up, and get a grip on life. RIP to all NEW ANGELS IN HEAVEN