Safe No Longer Man’s Death Second On Block In Five Weeks
Ellen Urlacher used to look at the “Drug Free Zone” sign on East Pacific and feel safe.
But in the last two months, that feeling has changed to fear.
“I want that sign gone,” she said. “I want it gone because it’s not true.”
Urlacher’s family awoke Sunday to find police tape and detectives surrounding a neighbor’s house at 2504 E. Pacific.
Police said a man was killed there around 6 a.m. Sunday. It was the second killing on the block in less than five weeks.
James E. Evans, 40, was arrested Sunday on a charge of first-degree manslaughter, police said. An autopsy was performed Monday on the body found in the house.
Police have not released the identity of the victim or any other details about events leading up to Evans’ arrest.
On Jan. 14, Curtis Ricky Jones, 19, was shot to death outside apartments at the other end of the block in a gang-related killing. Jones had a record of drug trafficking.
“This neighborhood has got to get cleaned up,” said resident Stephanie Harkins. “The neighbors need to get together.”
People living around the brick home where the body was found Sunday said drugs are to blame for recent trouble in the neighborhood.
“It was a quiet neighborhood until about two months ago,” said Urlacher as she watched her two young boys play in her front yard. “They’ve always had people coming and going (from that house), but never like this.”
Neighbors said Pacific often was blocked by cars going to and from the house as well as an apartment at Pacific and Smith. Police recently raided the home for drugs, neighbors said.
“This has gotten ridiculous,” Harkins said. “You’re not sure what’s going to happen out here.”
Neighbors said they have stopped spending time together. Urlacher’s children are among the few allowed outside to play.
“I have to have faith that the kids will be safe,” she said. “I can’t keep them sealed up. We can’t move.”
Officers were called to the East Pacific home - across the street from the Zion Temple Church of God in Christ - about 6 a.m. Sunday. They found the victim and four people inside. Two others ran from officers but later returned to answer questions.
Neighbor Catherine Avery first heard about the death when she went to get her paper early Sunday. She bought her home in the 2500 block in November, hoping to have a safe place for her daughter and grandchildren to visit.
“I’m trying to reclaim this home. I’m so disappointed,” she said. “Now my grandchildren can’t come down here.
“It’s so obvious what’s going on.”
To ease neighborhood concerns about safety, the East Central COPS organization will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone.
City officials will be on hand to talk with residents.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos (1 color)
MEMO: The victim was identified as Samuel F. McNeal.