Dear North Minneapolis Gang Bangers,
I care about you very much. I don't want you to die. And so I'm going to give you some advice that will keep you alive and banging around with your gang.
DON'T TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND. Don't do it. You see, every time one of you dies, I always read how he was "just starting to turn his life around." Today the identification of Parrish Gray as yesterday's shooting victim was no exception. Yes, he'd been in a gang in the past. But he was "just starting to turn his life around."
It has become obvious that when you "just start to turn your life around," that's when you will get killed.
So don't do it!
Now, then, in regard to Parrish Gray...
Here is his rap sheet listing charges. Not all necessarily represent convictions, but many of them do.
27-CR-05-077556
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI
11/14/1986
12/05/2005
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
DRIVING W/O A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE
27-CR-06-018068
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI
11/14/1986
03/16/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
TRESPASSING
27-CR-06-068103
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI
11/14/1986
10/04/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Drugs - 5th Degree - Possess Schedule 1,2,3,4 - Not Small Amount Marijuana
(Found guilty of this one, above)
70-CR-09-30008
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI
11/14/1986
12/18/2009
Scott
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Theft-by Swindle
Check Forgery-Offer/Possess W/Intent to Defraud
(He was convicted of the theft by swindle, the check forgery was dismissed)
27-CR-10-7431
1090579937
1090579937
1090579937
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI LOFTON
11/14/1986
02/18/2010
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Driving after suspension
No insurance - owner
Fail to display current plates
27-CR-10-7432
3090400007
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI LOFTON
11/14/1986
02/18/2010
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale
Reilly, Denise D.
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Fail to deliver title within 10 days of the date of sale
27-CR-10-7436
310100358
310100358
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI LOFTON
11/14/1986
02/18/2010
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Ridgedale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Traffic-Drivers License-Driving After Suspension
Speed faster than reasonable and prudent 52/30
27-CR-10-7444
105640518
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI LOFTON
11/14/1986
02/18/2010
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
No valid driver's license for the type or class of vehicle being driven. A person is not permitt
70-CR-11-6946
70091108087
GRAY, PARRISH CASSINI
11/14/1986
04/01/2011
Scott
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
CRIM-TRESPASS-RETURN WITHIN ONE YEAR
70-VB-11-6942
70091106123
GRAY, PARRISH LOFTON, Jr.
11/14/1986
04/01/2011
Scott
Crim/Traf Non-Mand
Under Court Jurisdiction
DL-DRIVE AFTER SUSPENSION (DAS)
Tragic. And he was "just starting to turn his life around."
(Broken record skipping sound)
"He was just starting to turn his life around..."
(Broken record skipping sound)
He was just starting to turn his life around..."
Dear Johnny Northside,
ReplyDeleteOnly God can Judge.Yes you many see a Parrish record, and pass judgement, however you can not measure a persons heart or character. Before you air someone dirty laundry for ppl to see and assume that they were "just starting to turn his life around" also know facts of good that they have also done in there lifetime so that a STRANGER (as everyone reading this IS) can get a clear view of where a person has came from, gone, and the direction that they are moving towards.
One report is calling him "Cassini" Gray.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kare11.com/news/article/978577/396/Victim-in-Minneapolis-homicide-identified
As readers can see by the record posted above, "Cassini" is one of his names.
To A PISSED OFF FRIEND.
ReplyDeleteOh, are you one of those "pissed off friends" who is going to go retaliate against the guy who killed him, dragging one of the MADD DADS behind you?
In response to your comments, point by point.
1.) God's not the only one who can judge. I sit here, and I'm judging. Look at me. I'm judging. Here I am, judging.
Criticizing, too. Pouring scorn. Or, in texty talk, SMH SMH SMH.
2.) What are those "facts of good" you cite that supposedly happened in his life, besides the "actual factual facts" that I got from court records? Because, see, I looked online for facts about his life.
All I could find besides articles about the shooting were his court records. That's his life, right there. A criminal record.
3.) The direction they are moving towards? You need to start using the past tense. WAS moving toward.
Wow...you believe that "actual factual facts" from court records, and an online search, are the only facts about an individual? What a shallow person you are! And, when I search your name...yeah, the "actual factual facts" I find about you aren't so...well, shall I speak to your sarcastic self in "texty talk"?...nah, I won't lower myself to where you reign supreme...yeah, check yourself out online. Then pause. Then, look in the mirror...then, kick yourself in the ass!
ReplyDeleteThose are the only facts I can turn up. If you want to tell me all about how he loved his mother and he was "just starting to turn his life around," all that kind of thing, please, feel free.
ReplyDeleteIf you have some idea WHY THE HECK IS HE DEAD, why was somebody mad at him, feel free.
But facts from the court records are really the most relevant facts after somebody is murdered. I mean, really, how many times do we need a relative to say, "He was just starting to turn his life around""?
My word, I've heard it so many times I've created a search engine tag for it. You think this was the FIRST article written with the search engine tag "he was just starting to turn his life around"?
No, that's an old tag. The utterance grows ridiculous from too much usage, and I've highlighted that in the way I've written the story. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Live like a thug, die like a thug.
Just like every time you hear a bell an angel gets its wings; every time you hear a gun shot in North a thug, hopefully, does too.
ReplyDeleteA terrible thing to say, but heavy sarcasm (as in the blog post) does beget dark humor.
ReplyDeleteits funny you show no sympathy for this man family or him. you just a blogger come to the north side with that internet talk.
ReplyDeleteAnd your point is what?
ReplyDeleteIt's very sad that you would take the time to write such a horrible thing! Regardless of what he has done in the past no one I mean no deserves to die that way! This whole article discuss me as well as your self have some respect for people!
ReplyDeleteI cant wait tell u die so I can blog bout yo bitch ass fuck u n to mom cuz she was a dummy to birth u I hate that I fight for a county with people like u in it
ReplyDelete(Snickering)
ReplyDeleteYou fight for your "county?"
Lol I actually like that ur not afraid to say what's on ur mind I mean we do its AMERICA LOL
DeleteWow I am appalled! No respect or regards for a mans life. You should tread carefully God isn't to fond of ugly or hate. I can't help but to think that you speak the way you do because your harboring hate. The crimes that you listed are in FACT crimes but merely PETTY MISDEMEANOR/MISDEMEANORS. I was unaware that traffic tickets made you a thug. All I can say is I'll pray that one day you'll learn to walk a mile in another's shoes before your so quick to JUDGE. Also remember everyone in life deserves a second chance especially if it's for the better.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I just threw the whole court record up there. Funny you're focusing on the TRAFFIC tickets. You have anything to say about the serious stuff he ws CONVICTED for?
ReplyDeleteTHAT is what makes him a thug.
Oops. Past tense.
MADE him a thug.
Oh, but let's not forget HE WAS JUST STARTING TO TURN HIS LIFE AROUND.
Keep shooting and dying thugs!
ReplyDeleteIs that the most clever thing you have to say?
ReplyDeleteDoes your commentary add anything meaningful to this discussion, other than some of us thinking, "Oh, my god, who would write that?"
Hear is the thing people respect that fact that you may be reporting news that people want to hear. But you do not have to do so in a demeaning way! Example when you say something and then want to rephrase it in past tense I mean come on have a little respect. And if you want to keep throwing in there "starting to change his life around" you need to look at NOBODY is perfect and for a young man growing up in "the hood" surrounded by many "thug" things, to look at his record and see MOSTLY driving tickets and such, (yes there may have been something a little more serve) however, there were multiple charges on some dates from what I see he had gotten in trouble 5 times. Yes not perfect but who is and trust it could be FAR worse! And the last charge I see was April of 2011 to me it looks like he had "started to turn his life around" a while ago not JUST starting to. There is no reason to respond to this due to no one is coming at you like that. All that is being said is have a little respect for the human race and their families when going through a hard time. It doesn't matter if they did say he just started changing his life around there is no need to mock it! Some people may say it and it may not be true however it just might be true especially when the person has not dont THAT (notice how I said that) much harm in their life. They simply made a few wrong choices while they were young and stupid that didn't cause ANY HARM to anyone else but themselves! And for you to keep reinforcing the "past" tense is just a little too much of throwing salt on a wound. Everyone knows Parrish is gone there is no called for reason to say things present tense to then stress the past tense. Shame on you! Please just report the facts without demeaning someone that has past. Chances are their family and loved ones are possibly coming to your blog to look for answers the star tribune is not giving out.
ReplyDeleteWhen people stop saying "he was just starting to turn his life around" EVERY time another young guy falls to street violence, I will stop pointing out how ridiculous it is they KEEP saying it, every time.
ReplyDeletePart of the PROBLEM we have is that victims of gang violence are revered like they are SAINTS. Musical tributes are uploaded to YouTube, memorials are affixed to trees, T-shirts are made in their likeness. It is glorifying and romanticizing their death, which only perpetuates the cycle of violence.
I sincerely believe the cycle of violence can't be stopped until more people--not just me--start calling BULLSHIT on this saintlike canonization of gang violence who, often enough, could have been the perpetrators on another day.
And so I will CONTINUE to call bullshit, to trot out criminal records right down to SPEEDING tickets, and to do it all in a darkly humorous tone when I feel the need.
You don't get a free ride to "street sainthood" on Johnny Northside Dot Com. Your wasted life and ridiculous, ugly death, your Facebook pictures, your dubious associations, ALL THAT TRUTH will be spit out right here.
Don't like it? GET THE HELL OUT OF THE THUG LIFE. Pull up your pants, tackle your homework, go to work and bring back a paycheck. Oh, and stop getting girls knocked up you aren't married to and can't support.
Some of this may apply to Parrish Gray, some may not, but that's the spirit of things around here. Has been, will continue to be, until this kind of bullshit doesn't exist any longer in my neighborhood.
Yeah johnny that'll work wait guys don't shoot me anymore johnny says if I pull my pant up and get good grades it'll all be over lol
DeleteLast time I saw Parrish he was outside with his young cousins playing hide and seek ....he is not the horrible thug you are portraying....please you are entitled to your own opinion but please at least have sympathy for the grieving family. Trust me they are reading this, nobody is perfect but they have still lost someone they loved....and for the record, it may not apply to all fallen "thugs" but he was TRYING "to turn his life around"
ReplyDeleteHis death was not even due to gang violence so stfu you racist pig !
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying but I dont think that people that put up flowers and posters are rejoicing the "gang" violence. They are rejoicing the person they knew and if people outsiders see the flowers and such maybe they will get the picture people keep dying and it has to stop. But as in one of your other blogs you noted Parrish was killed due to "janky" driving. Where is the gang activy on his part in this? Maybe it was gang activity on the people accused of this murder however I dont see the gang activty associated with riding in a car. If that were the case I contribute to gang activity everyday on my way to work on my way to drop my kids at daycare and so on. I agree gangs and killing needs to stop there are far too many lives be taken from loved ones. But there are different approaches to take and demeaning someones life after the fact is not the way to go about it. Whether it is dark humor or not there should be no humor in the fact of loosing their life. As said everyone is entitled to their opinion as you are yours, however, have just a tad bit of compassion and sympathy for people in general. If not for the victim then for their families that have lost someone. Even though they may not have been perfect there is still a mother that lost her child, a sister, brother, aunt, uncle whatever have you may that will never see their loved one again.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time sympathizing with a parent who has raised and unleashed such a burden, such a barnacle on the rest of society.
ReplyDeleteHe was a gang member, that is no 'game', he is clearly a bad human being, the scum of mankind, the bottom of the barrel, and there are no legitimate excuses. It is not just bad luck or 'not being perfect' or being around the wrong crowd or a single poor choice, it is a very long string of horrible choice after horrible choice that leads to such a life and ends inevitably in this kind of death.
I don't know Parrish but I came across this post and you seem a little angry Johnny. You definitely have the right to your opinion (this is your website) but here is mine...
ReplyDeletePersonally, all I see is someone repeatedly driving without a license, someone who maybe wrote a bad check, and someone who smokes weed. His last offense was listed as April 2011.
To me nothing screams thug, gangster, etc. about this person. But, regardless of what he did in his life, nothing gives anyone the right to take it from him.
Shit happens but the fact is people need to just stop killing eachother. Fight it out, walk away, and leave it alone.
I don't understand why people disrespect the dead when they're no longer here to defend themselves. I don't see how traffic tickets make you a thug. I have plenty so what does that make me? You need a new hobby, you're sitting around stereotyping people well where is your 14 year old son. Probably somewhere doing bath salts or snorting coke maybe even slitting his wrists. Typical white kid problems. I mean sense we're using stereotypes !
ReplyDeleteMy kid actually turned 15 a couple days ago. Thank you for reminding me so I can go and change his age on the header.
ReplyDeleteTroll comment rejected but thanks for playing.
ReplyDeleteITS CRAZY HOW U TRY N SHOW HIS RAP SHEET IF THAT GIVES SOMEONE TO TAKE HIS LIFE AWAY FROM US HIS FAMILY YOU DIDNT OR NOR DO YOU HAVE THE SLIGHT KNOWLEDGE OF PARRISH CAUSE U DONT KNOW WTF YOU TLKIN BOUT HOW IS THE WEBSITE FOR YOUR DEAD SON SHOW ANY KIND OF HELP? OR ANYTHING BEFORE U TRY N AIR OUT A RAPSHEET KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING BOUT NOT TO MENTION HALF THE STUFF U SHOWED WAS DISSMISED YoU SHOULD REALLY WATCH WHAT YOU PUT EXSPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY OR FRIEND NOT TO MENTION WHAT PART OF THE STATE DO YOU STAY IN?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the above comment is how "especially" was spelled "exspecially", like so many people say it.
ReplyDeleteMy second favorite part is the one lower case letter. All by itself, so lonely.
Incoherent rambling. Gotta love it.
And shit.
Wow you know grammar give yourself a hand lol... and johnny can I join I actually think I like you for saying what u feel...
Delete1st & 4 most, it seems 2 me that you honestly don't have any respect what so ever 4 thee dead, they're famlies or they're friends unfortunately.. Which happens 2 be wronger than 2 left shoes & 2 make fun of them, degrade them, is wrong & absolutely uncalled 4.. I know this is your blog & you have the right 2 say whatever you like on it.. I said that 2 say this, in all do respect I'm surpised that your ass still alive.. Just know that tables do turn, so laugh all want NOW cause I'm you will cry again LATER you fuckin hater.. ~deathisnotagamenorisitajokejohnnylaw~
ReplyDelete"Wronger" ??? Really?
ReplyDeleteAlso, may I point out the irony of simultaneously defending a homicide victim with the train of thought that no one deserves to die and their family should be allowed to grive without any media commenting on how they lived their life while at the same time not-so-backhandedly wishing death upon someone.
Irony. (look up the definition if you don't know what it means)
The rap sheet? have you seen a real gang banger's rap sheet? that right there is nothing much but petty stuff.
ReplyDeleteanyways talking about deceased people is not cool, especially when your only going off a rap sheet, no pertinent information besides some petty background information?
funny how you always yelling FACTS!!!!
Do you know parish gray?
Do you know what type off person he was?
on his record this was the worst case that was dismissed?
ReplyDeleteGRAY, PARRISH CASSINI
11/14/1986
12/18/2009
Scott
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Theft-by Swindle
Check Forgery-Offer/Possess W/Intent to Defraud
(He was convicted of the theft by swindle, the check forgery was dismissed)
should he die or be labeled over this? we as people should not be hypocrites. is everything in your life squeaky clean?
some people need to stop responding to blogs and go get an edumication! You sound gansta! Johnny....long time North Siders understand!
ReplyDeleteParrish was my cousin On My Dad's side of the family and know we were not close nor did he even know my name but i am a family person and i love him even though he mad mistakes in life. we all do.but im mad as HELL you got the damn nerves to show his personal information( Rap Sheet) My family has been going threw a lot with his death and all. I swear you have no damn respect for Parrish Or My Family ( The Gray's). But Its people like you that keep us pressing on cause you and your rude and disrespectful remarks.Tends to makes us stronger.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
A Mad Cousin
LeAira Wright
I Love You Cousin && Rest In Paradise <3
Johnny Northside my name is Brad (Lyfe Syze LB) Wright I have been a friend/brother to Parrish since about 3 years old as well as the driver of the vehicle h died in and I do not fault you for blogging the facts you find and stating your on opinion but I think as a journalist and someone who comes off as an intellectual I think you know it takes more to judge a human being than just what is printed in black in white life is never just black and white . I admit through situations we went through as children and young adults we believed that we were doing what had to be done to protect ourselves since as young black men we did not put much faith in the protection of the police I am not justifying our past mistakes just putting things in context. I can say I dont regret what we went through because it made us the people we are and contrary to popular belief we learned from those mistakes... in 2009 I took it upon myself with the assistance of Parrish to Bring a positive non violent end to any (beef) we had lingering in the street for our families well being as well as our own and since then we have had nothing but peace. Non of us are angels my record is worse than his but we are humans so we make mistakes but we are striving to become better men bothers fathers and husbands. In the months prior to Parrish's death I we started a positive youth control the violence movement called Lyfe Syze Changes with a plan to use our past so called (street cred) to inspire some of the youth to know u can change and we would let them know that we aren't perfect but we would promise to grow and get better alongside the youth we met once a week with a group of supporters brainstorming and coming up with the best possible outreach strategies and I plan on carrying on in his name but before u judge this man come interview those who loved or hated him to get to the bottom of who he really was. And Parrish had also been shot numerous times but nowhere in his criminal record did u find him charged or convicted of any shooting killing or injuring another and with a the stigma that surrounded his name he was either the smartest slickest criminal in the city or his name was more evil and notorious than the actual man Parrish was deeply sorry for his past mistakes and was working to give back to a community that we once helped to destroy and if at anytime you would like to get a real interview for the real truth feel free to email me I have nothing to hide I still love the city of Minneapolis and will strive to help even when my heart hurts to the core and I hope I helped put things in perspective for you thank you and goodbye.
ReplyDeleteBrad (Lyfe Syze LB) Wight.
i believe that anyone who forgets how to spell their own last name even once is not that person and is full of it, MR. WIGHT, which is what you did august 8th at 11:27 p.m. brad or lee wight or wright i guess it is called... take your pick..lyfe syze liar maybe
ReplyDeleteSorry I wrote that off my phone which has auto correct and check fb I'm sure johnny will I speak the truth but you seem much less intelligent and clever johnny's joke would have been slightly more thought out. C'mon now you go through that whole comment to find a typo lol
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that it was a man who was a past gang member that got killed but you know nothing about that's man past that made him join a gang or do the things he did. His rap sheet does not justify him as a person. People make mistakes and need to turn their lives around at some point. As stated he was making in effort. It brings up the fact that Trayvvon Martian was shot to death and was not a gang member but was still profiled and killed. You have to take into consideration a persons past and what they are doing for their future to turn it around. No one is perfect. I feel for the innocent people of northside Minneapolis but this is not the first killing they have seen!
ReplyDeleteTo Mr. Wight; that person did not have to go through the whole comment since your Wright name is at the top and your Wight name is your sign off. It is so obvious that even you did not notice.. lyfe syze lyar to say the least.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's too bad that kids have been told that one has to go to jail or to have beaten, raped, sold drugs, or murdered someone before they have any credibility to tell someone else not to do it. This is the never ending shell game of those who seek to deceive and profit monetarily through the shedding of our chidren's blood.
I can't understand why some people are so hateful . I am a wright and Mr. Grey is related to my family , but he also shot my son once and I don't or didn't hate him for it sure I was mad , but my son was no angel . Mr grey like a lot of youth think they know it all and they don't people make mistakes young and old and if your lucky enough you can start to turn your life around. It's a shame that lil dude is gone because he may have been able to help some younger guys avoid the pitfalls of life that he got trapped in. More than bashing a man who is no longer here why not try and figure out why all black men face a all white jury, but no white never face a all black jury and a judge can sit there time and time again and do nothing about. Why our jury don't look like us or no our struggles or how the police come after us just to get a bonus . I know there is crime in North Mpls ,but there's crime very where even in the police dept. ( mpls gang task force ) remember crooks who didn't serve a day in jail. Let's focus on corrupted cops and the judges who continue to allow unfair trials time and time again.
ReplyDeleteDude your a Bitch .. You nosey asl & half the shit you say aint true ! Fuck Johnny Northside !
ReplyDeleteLong Live SlickP !