An innocent life lost

On Monday night a man was tragically taken from his family. He was cooking dinner for his two children, ages 4 and 2. I'm sure he was making jokes with his kids, he had quite the sense of humor. His brother came into his home. From my understanding they must of had an argument. His brother pulled out a gun, waved it around and began to shoot him. He shot him multiple times, one of the bullets bounced and hit his two year old son in the foot. These two innocent children watched as their father was being murdered. I can only imagine what was running through the father's mind; the fear of not being able to protect his children, probably not his safety but the safety of his children. While he was laying on the kitchen floor dying, there was nothing he could do for his children. The pain of not being able to protect your children had to be worse than the pain of the multiple gunshots. He just laid there helpless, his life slowly being taken from him.

This man had a name. His name was Rusty Staples. He and I were friends. We used to hang out everyday. We drifted apart over the years. I saw him around two years ago, after his son was born. I'm in shock right now. I can't comprehend the fact that he is no longer here. I think of those children. They watched their father die. The fear they felt. The fear all three of them felt. I don't understand. How can somebody, especially a family member, come into your home infront of your children, and murder you? What is the thought process? I know that he had to have been on something or have something mentally going on, but still. These two young children are now going to grow up without their father.

My heart goes out to his family. I pray that God gives them the strength to get through this tragedy. That those two little angels will be able to go to bed knowing their father thought the world of them and would have done anything for them. That he will never be forgotten and those children will grow up knowing what a wonderful father they had.

Please pray for this family and for the healing process.