Recently, a young woman named Morgan Myers was tragically stabbed to death in a parking lot in the town of Rapid City, SD. Her alleged attacker, Michael Young, was a former boyfriend. The Rapid City Journal recently reported that Myers had placed a restraining order against Young after a domestic dispute.

This event, while horrific in itself, highlights just how dangerous domestic violence can get. Even though this particular event occurred in a very public setting, violence between domestic partners and former lovers happens all too often behind closed doors. Many times the violence continues on in silence until it is too late, and the worst happens.

Those that commit these violent acts are often charming or well-meaning individuals who do not initially intend to hurt their victims, and it is this fact that often leads to the recipients of this type of violence not realizing just how dangerous this person is that they are in contact with. In this case, Young took several steps to ensure her safety. She filed a restraining order against him, and tried to remove herself from danger, but that still did not prevent her untimely death.

With the clarity of hindsight it can be easy to point out the additional steps she could have taken to protect herself, but the truth is that she thought that she had done enough. Her story highlights the limits of restraining orders in ensuring one’s safety. It is simply not feasible for the police to conduct 24 hour protection for everyone who files a restraining order against another individual.

But this does not mean that nothing can be done. One thing is to just never be alone. Even if it’s just a short trip to the gas station, always have another adult with you who can be a second set of eyes to keep watch. He or she can also act to discourage any unwanted contact. This can be a hassle, or just not logistically possible, depending on if there is someone who has the time to always be around.

If you are alone and someone comes to you that you have a restraining order against make sure to alert bystanders by screaming for help or run away. Don’t assume being in public will make you safe. If you need to get a restraining order, remember that if you see the person, don’t delay in removing yourself from that location or even calling the police for help.

It can be very helpful to carry some type of weapon for self defense. There are a wide variety of weapons that can be effective such as mace which is best for those not familiar with other types of weapons, although a stun gun can be effective as well. Self defense courses can also prove essential; If you lose your weapon or it gets knocked from your hand, you are not defenseless. It can also help to increase your confidence and encourage those who are concerned about the consequences of leaving their abuser to file a no contact order.

Unfortunately, people often take restraining orders for granted, thinking it is all that is needed to keep them from dangerous situations. A tragedy like that which struck Morgan Myers, while horrible, helps to remind us of the dangers in the world and the things that we can do to try prevent it from happening again.

Whatever reasoning Young might have had is not yet clear, but one thing is certain. This tragic event has inspired those who knew Myers, and the community at large, to rally together and support her young family that she was forced to leave behind, as well as honor the memory of a young woman whose friendly personality touched those around her in her community.

A memorial fund has been set up for anyone wishing to donate to Morgan Myer’s family. Contributions to this fund can be made at any Great Western Bank or Black Hills Federal Credit Union.

The article Tragedy in Rapid City, SD, Highlight Domestic Violence appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

A plane search of Mount Rainier National Park for a suspect in the murder of a park ranger, sighted what is thought to be the suspect’s body lying face-down in the snow on Monday, according to authorities. It could be hours before they reach the body, and though it is yet to be identified, it is believed to be that of Benjamin Barnes, a 24-year-old Iraq War veteran.

“Obviously the strong probability is that it is” the gunman, Ed Troyer, Pierce County Sheriff’s spokesman, stated. After a shooting at a New Year’s house party that wounded four people, Barnes is thought to have fled to the park to hide. He is suspected by the authorities to have shot and killed Margaret Anderson later on Sunday. Police began a manhunt for the veteran and cleared out all of the park’s visitors. They believed Barnes had survivalist and weapons training.

Barnes had had trouble adjusting to regular life after he got home from the war and was suspected of suffering from suicidal tendencies and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Court documents show that his daughter’s mother had sought a temporary restraining order against him during a custody battle because she believed he was suffering from PTSD after he was sent to Iraq for a year in 2007. She said that he text messaged her, claiming that he wanted to die, that he was easily angered and depressed, and that he had an arsenal of weapons in his home. The mother said she was afraid for their child.

Police showed undated photos of Barnes posing with two big weapons. A guardian ad litem, in November 2011, made a recommendation of classes for communication and parenting and said Barnes should have supervised visits with his daughter twice a week. A mental health evaluation was also mandated.

On New Year’s in a house located close to Seattle, gunfire erupted during an argument at a party of which Barnes was in attendance, according to Sgt. Cindi West, the spokeswoman for King County Sheriff. Two other people, who had fled the shooting, were found and West said that authorities attempted to locate Barnes, asking his family to try to get him to turn himself in and “tell his side of the story”.

A ranger started following him after he flew through a checkpoint on Sunday morning, while Anderson, mother of two and married to another park ranger, blocked the street to potentially force Benjamin Barnes to pull over. Instead, the driver fired a gun and shot Anderson before she was able to get out of her vehicle, spokesperson Troyer said. Park Superintendent, Randy King, stated, “It’s just a huge tragedy – for the family, the park, and the park service.”

The shooting has renewed debate over loaded firearms and whether they should be allowed into Mount Rainier or not. Bill Wade of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees has stated in several news reports that Congress needs to reconsider the 2010 law that makes state laws responsible for gun regulation in national parks.

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