Criticism, blog post by John Hoff
A criminal complaint has been released by authorities naming the 16-year-old juvenile suspect in the unpremeditated murder of Drew Billingsley, click here for a copy.
I shouldn't be surprised there are new twists on the facts, but it always catches me, just a little, how friends of the victim seem to instinctively distort the reality of what happened in the first draft written by the mass media.
In particular, there are revisions to the topic of what Drew Billingsley was doing right before the murder...
Media accounts made it sound like he was acting in defense of his son. Yes, just as though his son was on the bus and some ruffians were picking on the son and Drew did what any father would do: confronted the bullies.
Eh. Not so much in this criminal complaint. Drew was already aboard the bus, some youth were boarding the bus at 26th Ave. N. and Penn, and Drew recognized the youth and CONFRONTED them over "harassment" of his son.
Where was the son? It doesn't sound like he was even aboard the bus at that moment.
Does any of this excuse the murder of Billingsley and firing a weapon at least SIX TIMES? Clearly not. But if Billingsley had used calm, calculated legal measures instead of a physical confrontation (apparently in more or less spontaneous fashion) this whole incident may have been prevented and Billingsley would be alive.
The complaint has Joshua Ford's address listed as 2625 Oliver Ave. N. That address has been mentioned on this blog before, in a little snippet as follows:
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Robert Lee Burns, DOB 11/21/78, whose address (according to the roster) is 2625 Oliver Ave. N., has been released from custody but is listed as "formally charged" with controlled substance, narcotics. The place he reportedly lives is a rental owned by Blackwood Investments, Inc., an entity associated with James Swartwood (sic) President, whose address is a PO Box.
PRESIDENT, is he? Who is the "secretary of state" for this little operation?
This arrest is hardly the first for Robert Lee Burns...
...whose online record shows two trespassing convictions, third degree possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, and disorderly conduct.
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Unlike so many of our North Minneapolis youth, Joshua Ford has a father present in his life and resides with his father.
It's the MOTHER who is listed as "address unavailable."
U HAVE NOT ONE CLUE WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT DREW DONT CATCH BUSES HE DROVE A MONTE CARLO FUCK WOULD HE BE DOIN ON THE BUS ????? (ask yourself that) He approached the bus to let the lil gang members kno to leave his son alone.. And yes when it all boards down He was protecting his son from a gang who's been messing with his son for months now ALL I ASK IS U AT LEAST BLOG ABOUT THE RIGHT INFO
ReplyDeleteI figured there was more to the story and maybe big daddy should have minded his own business instead of thinking that he was going to rough up some kid who was packing. Even though the man-child was up to no good carrying his gat around, it sounds as though this is a clear cut case of self defense.
ReplyDeleteThis leaves me wondering if the son will kill the man-child when he beats the rap. The beat goes on and the bitch we have in charge(dodgey hodges) ain't going to make it any better.
When is calm ever seen in a NoMi confrontation? The usual "I can yell loud so everyone will look" trick didn't work this time.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right that the victim could have been less confrontational, but the shooter got off the bus to chase the victim, so it's not like the shooter was under attack by the victim.
ReplyDeleteU need to get your.facts right
ReplyDeleteShow me some evidence the son was even aboard the bus at the time. I don't see it in this criminal complaint.
ReplyDeleteMight be the Facebook, might not...
ReplyDeleteIf NOT it would be an incredible coincidence, but more proof needed, anonymous commenter.
How on earth do you pull "self defense" from these facts?
ReplyDeleteJoshua Facebook is not under his name. Also I don't understand why they put his whole address on here it's personal. The address being given can start alot more mess. Especially for people who are upset about drew dying. I'm just saying
ReplyDeleteWhat is his Facebook name
DeleteNo it's just josh ford!!
ReplyDeleteThe address is on there because it's a public document for somebody being charged with a crime in a democracy. That's how things work. Transparency.
ReplyDeleteNot whether a piece of public information will "cause a lot more mess."
What do u mean how do u pull self defense from these facts? What facts? Ur info is wrong the lil boy pulled out the gun /showed his gun.. drew walked away the boy took it upon himself to follow drew off the bus then proceeded to shoot him/at him multiple times these kids get yelled at all the fucking time by random elders family members teachers friends etc does that mean the kid suppose to pull out a weapon? does it even give them a right to? FUCK NO.. U DISRESPECTFUL ASS BITCHES U.. drew was a big guy YES.. did he have a weapon NO.. did drew put his hands on the boy for him to say he was defending himself NO NO & NO Stupid Mfs Talk & never Kno What They Talking About
ReplyDeleteThank you preach
DeleteWhat I'm saying is it's NOT self defense and I don't understand the commenter who said it was. I don't understand THIS comment:
ReplyDelete"Even though the man-child was up to no good carrying his gat around, it sounds as though this is a clear cut case of self defense."
And what I'm asking is HOW ON EARTH does anybody call this "self defense?"
anonymous facebook says that's certainly him. I know him. Plus look at all of his friends who are commenting "free Josh". These kids have had beef for ages, going back to middle school.
ReplyDeleteDoesnt matter if the son was on there or not. That child was playing with a gun that he never should have had in the first place. Maybe if his father would have taught him respect and manners, he would be in a better place now. Instead he has three hots and a cot, which is more than what he deserves for taking the life of someones parent because his parents didnt take the time to protect or teach him right. As far as I am concerned.....anything less that life is not enough! Miss you Drew, especially for being the man that you were, the father that you were and the inspiration that you were. Some of you "parents" need to be more protective of your children....or at least know them.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes that is his facebook page.....great evidence along with the video from the bus....in case you did not know...opps is a word used in the gangs as the opposite side.....meaning anyone that is not a part of their "click" or in other words gang. So dummies, keep posting your shit of facebook....it only gives them more evidence against you!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Facebook page name
Delete"Anonymous" knows it's him. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteProve it's him. I don't see which friends are saying "Free Josh." Not seeing that. Not seeing proof it's him. Name is the same but that kid claims to live in another part of the town.
My instinct says it's PROBABLY him but do I see enough smoking gun proof to blog it? No, I do not.
What is Josh Ford Facebook name it's not under Josh got her wet or Josh Ford
ReplyDeleteKrafty Santana
ReplyDeleteFords gang is called "Krafty"
ReplyDeleteJohnny,
ReplyDeleteIs Josh Ford related to A.C. Ford by any chance? A.C. Ford was convicted of murdering a police officer back in 1992 on the south side. Just curious.
Thanks.
Josh Ford, PUSSY, COWARD,MURDERER. Anyone who uses a gun to fight his battles is a coward and a pussy. How easy is it to pull the trigger? Let your words fight your battles. I honestly can't stand to hear about another murder of someone. You pussy bastards quit killing each other.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if he's related to AC Ford. I looked up the name of the father of Josh Ford on MNCIS and can't even figure out which one he is, because I have no middle name.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I have yet to positively confirm that a Facebook page for "Josh Ford" is the same guy, even though I see folks on some North Minneapolis Facebook pages talking as though it is the same guy.
I'm nowhere NEAR nailing down ANYTHING with this Josh Ford EXCEPT what can be found in this article. I haven't tried searching for anything on the mother but, hey, without a middle name how would I get anywhere even if I turned up somebody with that name?
There is chaos. Murder. Drama. And we can't even get a handle on it and social media in North Minneapolis are the only ones even TRYING. The mainstream media ignore us, keep us in the dark, report little more than the fact of the murder and the name of the victim. No depth.
People DIE IN THE STREETS and we barely have any idea of the personalities, the root causes, the connections to other murders and addresses and so forth. We barely know the NAMES let alone the connections to other names.
Don't depend on this blog to dig it up. I can't even get out from under the pile of murder.
krafty Dolo is Josh Ford Facebook name
ReplyDeleteKrafty Dolo and Josh Ford are related typo
ReplyDeleteFREE JOSH fuckk You Mean Who GOT PROBLEMS !!?
ReplyDeleteFREE JOSH fuckk You Mean Who GOT PROBLEMS !!?
ReplyDeleteKG most definitely got one (a problem that is).. so U sure u want to free him? Cus if they free him u fuck around an be saying RIP TO HIM.. U CHOOSE
DeleteIf that was the case he woulda been dead niggas is hoes y'all don't want smoke end up like dude ass
DeleteShut your young bitch ass up you lil niggas is scared plain an simple got cha momma still buying your clothes sleeping on bunk beds pissing in the bed ass lil niggas go visit Josh send him some money accept a few phone calls or sumin he feeling like his KG fam ain't there for him you ol pussy cat ass niggas
DeleteI am publishing the comment above twice, in effect, but rejecting another half dozen attempts to submit the comment.
ReplyDeleteYour comments do not appear RIGHT AWAY. Not everything in life or even on the internet leads to the kind of instant gratification you apparently desire, anonymous commenter.
Nobody knows the real story so quit commenting about stuff you don't know josh doesn't have a Facebook never did n as for drew n his kids they know this isn't the first time their dad has tried sum thing with josh n his friends the had a gun n a over size dog the last time they approached them who's to say he didn't have one the day he got killed?
ReplyDeleteDrew didn't walk around here fucking with them boys so maybe you should quit commenting about stuff you don't kno Josh don't / never had a page?? Yea Ok (who you think you fooling) You sound like a clown if drew had a gun on him Josh wouldn't be in jail facing 30yrs an let's not mention the police would of found the gun don't you think? Stupid mf you sound like one of the dumb parents to these dumb lil kids
DeleteN only if I could upload these photos of his kids n family talking about killing kids that aren't even the age of 18 what type of mess is this
ReplyDeleteFuck Josh he needs to rot he should be dead him self I got a problem now 7 4 14
ReplyDeleteTo your response John, July 30@ 11:55 A.M that you submitted, you ask if his son was even on the bus which may mean that Ford was pursued so you contradict your own words...unless I'm wrong...NOTHING IS CERTAIN!. I AM NOT A SHITBAG LAWYER.
ReplyDeleteA.C. Ford now goes with the last name of Shabazz and is in Oak Park Heights for shooting Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf in the back at Pizza Shack on Lake Street in 1993 along with Pepi McKenzie and assorted other bitches who I can't remember at the time. Anyhow, Ford is a common last name so let it go.
I am unable to even decipher the meaning of that last comment but somebody is attempting to have a debate, it appears, so I have published it. Not sure if it's reprehensible or not. Can't make heads or tails of it and not sure what the commenter is responding to with the comment.
ReplyDeleteCommenter, how do you know how Josh feels?
ReplyDeleteHave you been in touch with him? Or are you just guessing and speculating about how Josh feels?
Pure subjective speculation with a hint of bullshit. A common trait with rationalizing enablers. Foghorn leghorn would blow you out of the water....life is a fucking cartoon so animate yourself to what you want to believe.
ReplyDeletewww.linkedin.com/pub/whitney-warren/19/7b3/549
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what that link above has to do with ANYTHING and I suspect it might be spam, but I'm not sure.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hennepinattorney.org/news/news/2014/July/Juvenile-murder-charge-in-bus-shooting
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of inaccurate information Come on Johnny Northside if this is what you do do better. Drew was an amazing man who loved many and was loved by many. He was a leader, a wonderful man he was protecting his son, which in my eyes is a hero who wouldn't protect there child from kids who keep messing with them? You are on here and act like you don't get it. This man Drew was so dear to me, it breaks my heart. he loved people from all walks of life. He is gone but never Forgotten. Love you Drew RIH (CeCe)
ReplyDeleteJoshua Davis Ford was charged with intentional second-degree murder in the death of a father who wanted the teenager to stop harassing his son, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Tuesday.
Ford, 16, of Minneapolis had a detention hearing Monday and was ordered held at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center. His next appearance is Aug. 8. Prosecutors also filed a motion to have him certified as an adult in the death of Andrew Billingsley Jr, 38, of Minneapolis.
According to witnesses, Ford and his companions boarded the bus at the 26th and Penn Avenues N. bus stop in Minneapolis just before 7 p.m. Billingsley saw them boarding, jumped on the bus and got into an argument with Ford and his friends about their harassment of Billingsley’s son. The bus driver told police he saw Ford draw a gun from his waistband while telling the victim to get off the bus. The driver immediately activated the bus’ silent alarm which sent police to the location. Billingsley left the bus through the front door and Ford made his way to the back door and started shooting, according to the juvenile petition.
Witnesses told police the victim first ran in front of the bus, then towards a nearby gas station at 2606 Penn Ave. N. Ford continued to shoot until Billingsley fell to the ground, the petition states. The Metro Transit bus driver ran to give CPR to the victim. Billingsley was pronounced dead at the scene. Ford fled before police arrived and was arrested the next day.
Six discharged cartridge casings and one fired bullet were found at the scene of the shooting and much of the incident was captured by the video cameras on the bus.
Your Petitioner, Marlene Senechal, is an Assistant County Attorney. In that capacity, Petitioner believes the
ReplyDeletefacts and circumstances recited below establish probable cause:
On July 24, 2014, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Minneapolis Police responded to a dispatch that an MTC bus
in the area of 26th Avenue North and Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, had activated its
silent emergency alarm. As squads responded, dispatch updated the information that a male had been shot at
the scene. Responding officers found the shooting victim, later identified as A.B., Jr., a known adult male,
laying on the ground in the parking lot of a gas station. The MTC bus driver was giving CPR to the victim;
however, attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses told investigators that the Respondent, Joshua Davis Ford, DOB 10/02/1997, and his companions
had boarded the bus at 26th and Penn. The victim came to the front door of the bus and got into a verbal
argument with the Respondent and his companions regarding their harassment of the victim’s son. The bus
driver saw the Respondent draw a gun from his waistband and told the victim to get off the bus, which he
did.
The Respondent went out the back door of the bus and started shooting at the victim. According to
witnesses, the victim ran in front of the bus as the Respondent continued to shoot at him. The victim then
ran towards the nearby gas station and the Respondent continued to shoot at him until the victim fell to the ground.
Yall really Dont Have a clue what yall Talking About Drew was On the bus trying to Fight Josh , Josh wasnt going to fight a grown Man and drew put his hands on josh so then josh got off the back Of the bus And shot him FREE JFORD Fuck what yall gotta say i understand he Didnt have to shoot him it was like 15 of us He just wasnt thinkin
ReplyDeleteDrew wasn't even close to Josh... I've seen the video, you a fukkin lie!!! Have fun getting raped Josh!
DeleteFREEE JOSHH HOE ! KG4L
ReplyDeleteFukk Kraft Gang and anyone associated with them!!!
DeleteA comment has not been published regarding somebody named Angelica Timberlake and stating that "somebody" should look into allegations that are made by the commenter.
ReplyDeleteThough federal law allows me to publish the comment and not be held responsible for its contents, I am not publishing the comment because it makes an unsupported criminal accusation. I will state that Angelica Timberlake has an extensive criminal record which I can pull up online.
For those of you wanting to know the truth. This is how it all played out...
ReplyDeleteOn July 24th, 2014 A.J. Billingsley was riding his bike near the gas station on 26th and Penn when he was approached by 5 members of the"Krafty" gang who chased him trying to jump him. (Note that these boys had been harassing him for quite some time)... AJ was able to escape and rode his bike home where his Dad was sitting on the porch with some friends and family. AJ told his dad what had happened. (These boys used to be friends and Drew was able to defuse the situation on several different occasions when there had been a confrontation. ) Drew ran to his car with AJ and drove up to the gas station. Josh seen the car pull into the gas station and video from the bus shows the teen pulling out his gun before Drew even got on the bus which was waiting to pull off due to it being ahead of schedule. When Drew boarded the bus which was being drove by his 1st cousin all that was said by Drew was, "I asked ya'll to leave my son alone." That's when Josh pointed his gun at Drew. Drew turned around and left out the front of the bus and Josh ran out the back and started shooting at Drew and followed him around the front and continued to shoot until he fell to the ground. AJ who is only 16 started running home when he heard the shots. Josh ran after him also... This was not self defense Drew did not threaten him. He was my friend and so many people are lost without him. RIH Drew, I miss you every day! As for Josh, you are a cold blooded killer and God will make sure you get what you deserve!!!
johnny bitch you don't even stay in minnesota but you always in someone's business when they shoot yo ass what you gone do you IGNORANT CRACKER JACK HONKEY
ReplyDelete(If) or "when" they shoot me what am I "gone do?" (Sic)
ReplyDeleteWell, first I'd try to take cover and get away from the gunfire. Return fire if armed and able. At some point I would be applying direct pressure to the wound.
Or, if the wound is serious enough, I will be "gone" to see my Maker.
That's what I'm "gone do."
We love you Josh...u r n my prayers..... my heart goes out to all family's who were impacted by this horrible tragedy.....That grown as s man should not have approached them kids,if he had all them son's why not have left it at kid shit.. nobody lives will b the same.
ReplyDeleteA link to the press release with Ford's guilty plea.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hennepinattorney.org/news/news/2014/October/Two-murderers-plead-guilty-one-gets-life-without-parole