Was Provost Killed For Being Gay or Black? Or Because of Where He Stood?
The family of Navy Seaman August Provost III are blaming the military for the death of the 29-year-old, who was found shot dead, execution style, while standing duty at a guard station overnight. “He went to the Navy to serve and protect,” says Provost’s aunt Rose Roy, who insists his murder was because of his race or sexuality. “That phrase is just stupid because it tells them they have no one to speak to.” The Navy maintains there’s no evidence of a hate crime (beyond Provost telling his family he was being harassed on base, apparently). And figuring out whether Provost was murdered because he was black or gay might come down only to the words of the “person of interest” the Navy has in custody.
Honorably, the Navy appears to be conducting a full investigation into the matter and not trying to duck the politically treacherous territory of bias-based crimes; it helps California’s U.S. Rep. Bob Filner is demanding as much. In the meantime, a vigil is planned for Friday at Camp Pendelton, though Provost’s family won’t get much solace from Navy Capt. Matt Brown’s most recent words: “What I can tell you, unequivocally at this point, based on the preliminary information that we have, is that regardless of the person standing watch in that sentry station, this crime would have most likely been carried out in the same way. In other words, another sailor could have been on that post and would have been the victim of this crime.”
“What I can tell you, unequivocally at this point, based on the preliminary information that we have, is that regardless of the person standing watch in that sentry station, this crime would have most likely been carried out in the same way. In other words, another sailor could have been on that post and would have been the victim of this crime.”
So, basically, they’re saying that someone was going to be killed anyway? Am I understanding this right? Provost just drew the short straw for standing watch at the unlucky guard station?
@William Day: I think that is exactly what they are saying. And yet…
“The 29-year-old Houston native was found dead Tuesday at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego. Roy said the family was told that Provost was shot three times, had his hands and feet bound, his mouth gagged, and body burned.”
That type of murder doesn’t sound like an unlucky guard situation. But what the hell do I know, I’m not in the detective/police business.
Yeah, some random sailor, ANY SAILOR AT ALL, who happened to be standing at that particular guard station, was going to be killed that night, shot dead execution style…BULLSHIT, BULLSHIT, and more BULLSHIT!
Well as many black gays say, they have to issues to deal with, racism and homophobia, so, who knows what the truth is? I just hope they catch the killer for some justice.
It was a hate crime. August was murdered because he was gay. PERIOD! Anyone who has monitored anti-gay hate crimes knows the brutality the victims go through. August was tied up, shot multiple times and set on fire, that shows the people that killed him hated him, they wanted to dehumanize him.
Maybe he “knew too much” about someone in power. These things happen more than we would like to acknowledge.
Both. Black AND gay, that is. Not or.
@Chitown Kev: And male. After all, he could not separate his gay self from his black self from his male self, etc. All of that goes into account how someone views a person.
There’s a lot of speculation and spreading of rumor here in discussing August Provost’s murder. Is that serving this man well? He has been murdered; let’s not use his vile murder to further a cause before we know the facts. It has been clearly stated in the media since Friday that August Provost was NOT bound and gagged. He was shot to death, and the perpetrator attempted to burn the crime scene, probably to hide evidence. I don’t know who killed August or why, but I do know a thorough crime investigation will be a whole lot more successful than very public misstatements, rumor-mongering, gross exaggerration and guessing. August Provost deserves better than that.
if you gay and black you are double hate crime waiting to happen. I’m always aware of where I’m at who I with. This is some 1960′s bullshit and where the f*ck is the real news coverage on this? Oh wait everyone talking about Micheal Jackson… I love this country. Sweet land of liberty.
@shelby84: “if you gay and black you are double hate crime waiting to happen.”
…
Someone else take care of this goon, please, I don’t know how to process such idiocy.
@7SK: Hush, puppy.
Stop all of you!! August was my friend and was well above all of your rants!!! He was a sailor first and foremost and that is why he was killed!!
He was serving his country -doing his job!!He stopped a lunatic that had previously made threats about wanting to burn up a hovercraft!!He wouldn’t allow him on base!!
Your agenda is sickening and August would be disgusted!!You should be ashamed of using his death for your agenda!! Very sad!! Sorry August!!
PS. If August was watching, he would not of like the nuns in drag. He would of found that revolting!!
I knew August….he was my assistant. I am so sad that this happened…and he will be missed terribly. I haven’t seen him in so long….but I am very proud of him that he did live out is plan to be a Marinee….he lived it out…his accomplishments should be recognized only. The choice of his sexuality should not be the topic. Give him the respect he diserves! R.I.P. August…me and Diamond wiill always remember you and you are in heaven.
@Cynthia Jimenez: hey this is Keonna i use to work with all. girl i can’t tell u how bad i miss my cousin. i cry inside everyday, i don’t no how to handle this pain that this person as cause on all of us. i am so mad because we protected each other. my cousin is gone and i can’t believe it. it seems unreal, but after seeing his body it still didn’t seem real, i thought it was not him i had to really look at my cousin and cry and say to myself why, and how could they take him away from us. he was loved not by few but by many.
They’re strong because they ate spinach like “Popeye”.
The truth will set you free. Let’s pray for justice
Are you the ex-boyfriend of Rhianna?LOL
Killed because of being gay? Hm.. I don’t think so.
You have all the rights!
GT (gay thing) LOL^^
stop discrimination!
I suggest be yourself!
I don’t like the title in this article.
you are hot mess dude!
I think it’s not an accident.
Let us just hope and pray that justice will prevail.
This article is not completely discussed.
I think that this article is bias.
Unreasonable death!
The answer is. . . through prayers.
Being gay or black? whatever the reason it was never fair!
Gay or black is not enough reason to kill someone.
Unfair for him!
How sad your story was!
My condolences to his family and friends on this tragic loss. Such a horrible way to lose someone you love and while he was defending his country. I pray that his murderer(s) will be brought to justice.
@No. 36 · roger
My condolences to his family and friends on this tragic loss. Such a horrible way to lose someone you love and while he was defending his country. I pray that his murderer(s) will be brought to justice.
But, was it because he was Black, Gay or just Unlucky?
@dontblamemeivotedforhillary: I think .. unlucky.
Don’t judge the book by it’s cover
Bad ending!
Any updates regarding to this case?
I will send your story to case unclosed!
Your love is my drug!
@baloon:
hotdog u.
U must be a…
misunderstanding huh.
I have gay friend and it doesn’t matter who he is as long as you understands him!
You don’t have to pretend!
Follow me
keri lang
You are my soul brother!
Hey Trauny, what are you saying. She’s our soul Sister.
can thought
Im so glad you have one track mind like me!
I am so sorry for what happened. My condolences to your family.