Skip to main content

Incomplete Conviction of The Murderer

Omar Thornton is a name that evokes many strong feelings which for the most part are confused and unclear. Omar Thornton, the shooter in the Connecticut Beer Warehouse shooter, is a name that is now centered around a mystery with nine people dead, and numerous loose ends, question marks, and illogical measures added in.

For those of you DP devotees, you know that situations such as this one are pretty clear and cut – Thornton was wrong. He is a murderer. Never will I ever condone grabbing a gun and running through a warehouse picking off others with a weapon because of one’s misfortunes. He was wrong. I know it. You know it. We all know it. 

Yet, why is there such a hazy feeling when it comes to the situation? 

Why is there a feeling in my gut that isn’t 100% convicting of Thornton the way I have for other criminals?

And once again, Why am I not the only one that feels this way?

The situation is one of the weirdest stories and situations that have come around in a long time. And the effect the story has on race relations is interesting as well. Thornton, long complained about being the victim of racism on the job, including pictures of nooses and the “N” word placed with his name on it in the bathroom, for months. After complaining, it seems the Beer Distributor and his union did not consider the current working conditions important. After reaching his breaking point, Thornton decided to take matters into his own hands. 

However, during this time, Thornton was caught on camera for stealing beer from the job. He was given the ultimatum of resigning, or be terminated. 

The situation is a mine field of failed communication and wrong-doings on both ends. Yet, nine are people dead. All of whom Thornton precisely targeted as repeat and common offenders of the racially charged treatment in the warehouse. While Thornton is indeed a murderer, there still remains sentiment or some sort of “but…” in the case of Thornton’s actions.

What further bothers me the most is the tone in which Thornton revealed himself to a 911 operator. He was often described as a calm and nice young man by many who have come in contact with him. In the audio of his 911 call, Thornton still remains calm after all of the shootings. In fact, the nature of the conversation just adds more intrigue and cloudiness to a situation that should be very clear. 


There is no doubt that racism still exists. There are still individuals in this world that are ignorant. At the same time, there is no denying the power of racism, and what it can drive a person to do.

However, murder is murder. And there are now nine grieving families due to a vicious act.

And while we don’t know (and probably never will) the extent of the truth from either the Beer Manufacturer and/or Omar Thornton’s allegations, there will still be a sense of incomplete conviction of the murderer.

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The After (2023)

What is it about? In a short film, a grieving man confronts his past when he comes face-to-face with a passenger.  Who is in it? David Oyelowo - Dayo Jessica Plummer - Amanda Amelie Dokubo - Laura  Favorite Scene: It's an extremely short film, so...the final few moments.  Favorite Quote:  None. (not much dialogue) Review: This eighteen-minute masterpiece is amazing. You're absolutely taken on this ride of emotions that ultimately leaves you with a great realization of questioning what we value in life.  The lead character, in eighteen minutes, is powerful. His grief is carried through the film, exploding at the end. It very much leaves the viewer with so many questions - what was his life before the tragedy? What was his life after that moment? Did he ever reconnect with that family? Did he rediscover happiness?  Again, a very, VERY, powerful eighteen minutes that will jolt the heart, mind, and soul about life, what is important, and what we overvalue in its place.  Grade: 4/5

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Thoughts

There's something wrong with the All-Star Game.  Yeah, we've definitely had this conversation before. Expect to pick up this very discussion (again) in July when Major League Baseball has their version in the "Mid-Summer Classic" when it is the ONLY current topic to bounce around in the stratosphere of sports discourse.  What's wrong with the All-Star Game?!  I'm not dismissing the obvious - yes, the NBA All-Star Game is very much at an alarming point of necessary refinement and change - evaluation is needed. What we saw on Sunday night was not disappointing, but outright embarrassing. Also yes, gone are the days when the game flooded your television screen at a respectable 6:30pm on NBC, and you were wowed by the athleticism and star power of the first half of the game, and treated to what felt like the world's best players playing pickup basketball on the grandest stage.  Now? Not so much. So yeah, we got the message. The outrage - and shock TV and hot t

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine.