NO JUSTIFIABLE REASON FOR DEATH OF PASTOR AYERS

Having read the write up in the Toccoa Record, I would like to offer
my opinion on the shooting death of Jonathan Ayers.

I would like to say I have great respect for our law enforcement
officers, many of whom I count as my friends, and one in my family. In
the interest of full disclosure, I want to say also that Jonathan
Ayers was one of my friends.

My reaction is that the accounts in The Toccoa Record are written in
such a way to paint Jonathan, the man who was killed, as the bad guy.

I have no comment on the moral accusations made in the
article.

However, I do know that Ms. Barrett's story changed from her first
sworn statement until now, but that is beside the point, if Jonathan
was guilty of moral transgressions, he has met face to face to the One
who will judge him.

It is obvious that the articles were written to make him look guilty
of sexual immorality.

That is not the point. The point is that Jonathan was shot and killed.
That is the only importance of the investigation.

Even if he was guilty of buying drugs and sexual immorality, he did
not deserve to do die! How many pimps, prostitutes, and drug sellers
are running loose in Stephens County, all of them alive?

Where the story breaks down for me is when Officer Harrison states
that Jonathan took his car and backed up SEVERAL times to run at him
in order to harm him.

The clear evidence of the videotape shows that Jonathan backed up
once; pulled forward to try to avoid the officers, and Officer
Harrison ran alongside his car and shot him.

Officer Harrison was in no danger when he shot Jonathan. Jonathan
thought his life was in danger from two armed robbers! He so stated to
the hospital personnel before his death.

Why did he shoot him? Why didn't the two officers, who by their own
admission were watching him, just walk up to the store, put handcuffs
on him, and take him to the police station?

There was nothing that would have prevented them from doing
that.

Why didn't they use their truck to block him in while he was in the
store? Why didn't they let him drive out of the gas station, in a 4
cylinder Honda, and chase him down? Their truck was more than capable
of chasing down a Honda.

I think Officer Harrison stated clearly why he shot Jonathan. He said
he thought Officer Oxner was hit, and possibly killed by the car
backing up, and, "he had to get this guy!" The reason he shot Jonathan
was for revenge. Perhaps he flashed back to Afghanistan where he had
been as a mercenary.

Whatever his thinking, he clearly revealed what he DID! According to
the testimony, with all the shouting they were supposedly doing, it
was obvious that Officer Oxner was alive, so the idea that he was dead
just doesn't pass the smell test.

He was in no danger, nor was Officer Oxner. Officer Oxner received no
major injuries of any kind.

Again, I want to state my admiration for all of our law enforcement
officers. My nephew lays his life on the line everyday as a deputy
sheriff in Alabama.

In viewing this tape, he saw no justification for Jonathan to be
shot.

In his department it would have resulted in charges. I understand also
the concept of protecting your "own"; which is what is going on in
this investigation.

No matter what the alleged reasons, a husband, a father, and a pastor
are dead. There is no justifiable reason for that fact!