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Uploaded: Friday, November 20, 2009, 9:38 AM

Man, 20, killed in East Palo Alto shooting  

Posted by Mrs. S., a resident of Menlo Park, on Nov 20, 2009 at 11:01 am

Isaiah was a student at M-A and I had him in a class where I was an aide a few years back. He was a nice kid. My heart goes out to his friends and family and I hope that justice will be served quickly.

Posted by Charlie, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 11:04 am

There have been too many such incidents. How can we keep this from happening?

Posted by Caspian, a resident of Los Altos, on Nov 20, 2009 at 12:09 pm

The problem is guns. It is a powerful thing and humans are very weak when it comes to self control and discipline of doing good. Some just cannot have a gun and not use it. Civilians should not have guns, it is just not civil. If they didn't have guns they would not think they can get away with shooting and getting away so easily, therefore more likely they would think twice before doing the target practice they did.

Just gather all up all the guns, most likely the people who purchase it and go for it are the wrong hands to begin with.

Posted by Prayer, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Pray for the East Palo Alto community...Help these young men. Help the authority figures such as the major, to come up with better solutions to try and stop the violence.

Posted by Guns not the problem, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 12:15 pm

AGAIN, guns are not the problem. If guns are outlawed, dealers will just hit the streets - like illegal drugs. Making drugs illegal did not stop their use! Duh! Gun control just takes being able to legally protect one's self away - but the criminals still have them coming - more than ever. Read the constitution.

I still think we should outlaw cars - because too many people get killed on the roads every day. Stop the madness!

Posted by tired of the bs, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 20, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Oh look, here's the last time Isaiah was in Palo Alto Online, Web Link .

If people would step up and make examples of these young men when they are alive and stop making heros of them when they die, maybe he would still be here.

Posted by ?, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Does anyone know how many murders there have been in EPA so far this year? It seems like the murder rate is rising back to times of yore... obviously not like 92, but...

Posted by solution starts at home, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 1:41 pm

solution starts in the home ... period.

Posted by solution starts at home, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 1:57 pm

to Prayer ...

"Pray for the East Palo Alto community...Help these young men. Help the authority figures such as the major, to come up with better solutions to try and stop the violence."

i agree that prayer is the first thing to do, but attach prayer to ACTION. the solutions start AT HOME. it's okay to have a support system, tools, and programs to help with the process, but the solution, rich home or poor home, should start in the home.

Posted by noneya, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 4:38 pm

live by the gun you die by the gun it sucks he was a young man but hey that's how it is when you feel youre untouchable.

Posted by Don't rush to judge, a resident of another community, on Nov 20, 2009 at 4:38 pm

THIS GOES OUT TO "TIRED OF THE BS...EPA"

Oh look, here's the last time Isaiah was in Palo Alto Online, Web Link .

I understand you may tired of the bs however do you know this person? This was a mother's child; an uncle; a brother; a son and a partner...

Upon his release had his arrest changed him? You don't know. I do. Yeah he may have been in someone's front yard but do you know why he was there? I sure hope you have "Angels" for children or relatives because none of us are perfect.

The EPA Community need to get together and check their crooked Police Department because they cause many conflicts as well.

Posted by tired of the bs, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 20, 2009 at 4:58 pm

Don't Rush to Judge,

Do you drive down Illinois Street everyday? I do. What do you think that group of young black men on the first two blocks are doing?

Unless you are saying that police officers did this drive by, I'm not sure how you can say they are responsible. Please, tell me about the crooked police department. How are they responsible for this "Child"s actions and not his mother?

Posted by HEADS, a resident of the Palo Alto Orchards neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 5:05 pm

WHAT COULD B SO BAD U GOT 2 KILL ANOTHER PERSON . YALL BOYS OUT THERE DOING ALL THAT GUN PLAY.DONT CARE ABOUT LIFE, BECAUSE YALL FOOLS DONT KNOW ABOUT LIVING.AND YALL OLD GANG MEMBERS THAT STILL IN THE GAME,YALL SHOULD TEACH THEM FROM YALL TIME ON THE FRONT LINE.BECAUSE NOW WE OLD PEOPLE STILL POUR OUT DRINKS 4 OUR PEEPS U FEEL ME / PUT THEM THINGS DOWN

Posted by Anon, a resident of the Adobe-Meadows neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 6:06 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Posted by Mrs. S, a resident of another community, on Nov 20, 2009 at 7:47 pm

Thug or no thug, still a life was lost that might have been corrected with the right support. Death is not the answer to a child gone astray with no guidance. These kids need help.

Posted by ED, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 9:03 pm

U make the call....

PALO ALTO ONLINE 2008

"East Palo Alto police arrested two men Thursday night on drug and weapons charges, according to Police Capt. John Chalmers.

The arrests follow two related arrests about a month ago, Chalmers said.Police had gone to a home in the 2400 block of Gonzaga Street a month ago and arrested Luis Mariscal and recovered "a large amount of cocaine base," Chalmers said. But two other men, Isaiah Pittman and Jonathan Pittman, who are brothers, fled from detectives Ed Soares and Angel Sanchez in a foot chase after they were seen "discarding firearms onto rooftops of nearby houses," Chalmers said.

Isaiah Pittman later turned himself in to police.

Police recently determined where Jonathan Pittman was and executed a "high-risk search warrant" at 480 East O'Keefe St., #201, at 6 p.m. Thursday with the assistance of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department SWAT team.

Jonathan Pittman was arrested at the scene along with his brother, Leonard Glover.

Police recovered two semiautomatic handguns, one revolver, an assault rife and marijuana."

Posted by Cynthia Davis, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 20, 2009 at 10:46 pm

This is yet another sad story with no happy-ending. My question is why are these kids hanging out in these yards and sidewalks everyday?

There are two "free" gyms just one block away, run by men that were raised in EPA, they both teach boxing and martial arts and have other positive events all the time.

One of them also sponsors kids tuitions to colleges and help pay for funerals! They are always asking mothers with fatherless kids to bring their boys and girls to their establishments for positive activities.

And while we're on the subject, why doesn't the "media" report positive stories like these? Don't we deserve to hear some of the positive stories about EPA sometimes?

Let's "judge" some of the positive people sometimes, shall we? The negative stuff is depressing and non-stop. If you're going to "brag" about how perfect the other neighborhoods are, keep it real and be fair!

Posted by Anon, a resident of the Adobe-Meadows neighborhood, on Nov 20, 2009 at 11:09 pm

Another drug dealer off the streets...

Posted by TEMPT, a resident of another community, on Nov 21, 2009 at 5:44 am

WELL...from experience the town has them wrapped around themselves..they will fall one day hope not like Mr. Pittman(rip) but there are better ways and days to go on and make goals for oneself..when ur dow school will be there to teach you whats wrong in life..

Posted by epa playa, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 21, 2009 at 5:28 pm

well well i pray for the family an the mother and father who lost this young man but its funny how you think all the stuff you do comes right back to you. some say good he is gone some find it tragic i say its stupid and our kids need help parents listen they are killing each other dam. jus another day. gtown say rip to all these young man lost an not knowning

Posted by no name, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 22, 2009 at 12:59 pm

R.I.P

Posted by Karen, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 22, 2009 at 1:55 pm

Let he who has no sin cast the first stone!! In reference to "tired of the BS...So if you were a speeder and one day got rear ended and lost your life, would your death be justified? That was somebodys son, father, uncle, cousin, brother etc. If somebody in his family was to search for this article what kind of condolence would your statement send? Would you be proud of that statement or are you man or woman enough to attend his funeral and make that statement in front of his family? The fact that he was previously convicted of a crime doesnt mean that he deserved death. You have no idea where his mind or heart was when he stood in that driveway that day. Please do not make statement like that because one day it might come back on you. None of us are promised tomorrow.NOT EVEN YOU!!, the innocent, elderly or religious. The pain that his friends and family feel today and the days to follow, will also be felt by your friends and family one day....IM JUST SAYING!!!

Posted by saddened, a resident of the Ventura neighborhood, on Nov 22, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Was his life mired in violence?

Was his brother Leonard Glover shot last year?

Web Link

Why can't we guide our youth to make better choices?

Posted by Hmmm, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:29 pm

I constantly see folks not living in EPA commenting on these types of happenings, which is their right. Here's some more info:

Pittman was in a youth group, but he still was killed.

For those of you, especially outside of EPA, that love to posit your supposedly know-it-all comments, here are some suggestions, if you have real concern:

-Donate or volunteer to the youth-centered orgs or churches in EPA. Here're some examples: For Youth By Youth, epa.net, St. Francisco of Assisi Church, Community Church of EPA, One East Palo Alto, Boys and Girls Club, The Lord's Gym. For those interested in hunger and healtchare solutions: Ecumenical Hunger Program, Ravenswood Family Health Clinic. Most are non-profits and donations are tax-deductible.

I recall an old cop saying, something to thise effect: white kids kill themselves, kids of color kill each other.

Dead is dead, harm is harm. The cops can't do it alone. It seems that one bad act wipes out 100 good acts, but that's also the focus of the media. Where are the good stories about good happenings in lowe income communities, PA Online?

Posted by HEARD IT ALL BEFORE, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 23, 2009 at 2:18 pm

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE MURDERED AND NO FAMILY DESERVES TO MOURN THAT WAY...WITH THAT BEING SAID,EVERYTIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS, SOMEONE MAKES COMMENTS TO CAST A DIFFERENT LIGHT ON THE VICTIMS...NOT TO SAY, ALL THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IN EPA WERE INVOLVED IN THE ''SO CALLED'' GANG VIOLENCE AT ALL...NEWS IS NEWS AND UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS TO BE REPORTED.IF YOU WANT GOOD STORIES REPORTED CALL IT IN AND THEY WILL PRINT IT.I KNOW BECAUSE THEY HAVE PRINTED GOOD STORIES IN THE PAST. DEATH IS DEATH. AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS YOUNG MANS LIFE WAS TAKEN AT THE AGE OF 20.I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS MURDERED ON THE STREETS OF EPA THAT WASN'T INVLOVED THE MESS THAT THIS YOUNG MAN WAS INVOLVED IN..YEAH HE WAS IN A YOUTH GROUP BUT THAT GROUP DIDN'T STOP HIM FROM DOING WHAT HE DID!!! WINK..WINK.HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF IN OUR COMMUNITY UNTIL THE PARENTS STEP UP AND BE PARENTS, THE PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE MONIES THEY RECEIVE(GENERAL STATEMENT-NOT TALKING ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC PROGRAM LISTED) AND UNTIL THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TAKE A STAND AGAINST THESE DRUG DEALERS AND ''SO CALLED'' GANG MEMBERS.ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!HOW MANY PARADES AND RALLIES DO WE HAVE TO HAVE??? THAT STUFF ISN'T WORKING.WE GOT KIDS RAISING KIDS AND EVERYONE IS IMMUNE TO VIOLENCE BECAUSE IT'S THE NORM.THIS STUFF ISN'T NORMAL.IT'S BARBARIC AND SENSELESS.

Posted by ??????, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Nov 23, 2009 at 4:36 pm

SAD TO SAY BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS. YOU LIVE BY THE GUN YOU DIE BY THE GUN! GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. HOPEFULLY THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL...

Posted by Yep, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 24, 2009 at 5:32 pm

If your gonna stand out on Illinois Street or any other street and sell poison to people, your eventually gonna get whats coming to you. If you want these murders solved, help the police. Otherwise, quit your bitchen. I think the East Palo Alto Police Officers do a great job with the resources they have.

Posted by Cynthia, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 28, 2009 at 4:03 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Posted by some one, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Nov 29, 2009 at 6:26 am

i didn't know the kid i herd mostly bad things about him but its still sad to hear that another young man died especially that way.

East Palo Alto we're losing to many young people this way.