The Rev. Dan Haas stood alone Friday outside of an apartment complex on Aurora’s far southeast side, as he opened his Bible to pray for the victim of a fatal shooting.
According to Aurora police, officers were called Feb. 7 to the 400 block of Sherman Avenue on a report of someone shot. John Smith, 20, was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
A 16-year old boy has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting.
“One life was destroyed and another life was horribly marred by violence,” said Haas, as he prayed for Smith’s family and loved ones.
He remembered the family of the 16-year-old as well.
He prayed for the community to come to a place of understanding. Haas is an Aurora Police Department chaplain.
“Murder is never ever a way to solve disagreement or disputes,” he said.
Haas read Scripture from Chapter 6 of the book of Matthew about loving one’s enemies.
“Revenge is never an acceptable way to resolve a dispute. Lord, I don’t know the reason for this dispute. I pray young people today will learn that murder is never an option for solving them,” the Aurora clergyman said.
He also prayed for the apartment complex, the neighborhood and city as a whole.
“Lord, I pray for your peace on this complex. I reach out my hand and re-commit this place to you … Draw these residents together,” he said.
He prayed for peace on all streets of the city.
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“We pray for your peace, blessing and restoration. We break a violent spirit over our city and pray that neighbors love one another and work together,” he said.
The cold, brisk winds likely kept the usual small assembly of anti-violence activists from attending Friday’s vigil for the victim, he said.
As co-founder of the Prayer Coalition for Reconciliation, a prayer group that began in 1994, Haas recalls there were times when there were only clergy present at vigils.
“We need to pray for peace and re-commit the land to God so there can be a blessing on our city,” Haas said.
Haas is prepared to hold his annual 12-mile “Prayer Walk” on May 7, which is part of the nation’s National Day of Prayer.
He said he also plans to bring back “March for Jesus” on May 30, where the faithful will begin at four different directions and converge at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Aurora. It’s been about 10 years since a march for peace has been held, he said.
The teen is being charged as an adult, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.