On Monday night, several Hinsdale South students who live at the Hinsdale Lake Terrace apartment complex in unincorporated Willowbrook watched as a friend and former classmate was gunned downed on the grounds of the apartment community off Route 83.
READ: '18-Year-Old Shot and Killed in Unincorporated Willowbrook.'
When something like this happens, people want to know who the victim was and why. As journalists, our job is to find as many answers as we can to the questions out there and report facts that will help keep the public informed. But when a son, friend and fellow classmate is taken in a senseless tragedy, the question of why could never be answered by a journalist. I don't think it's a question anyone can answer.
But we can try to answer the question of who, by asking the people who knew him. In these circumstances, the information you give us is the only information we can report. Without your memories and stories, we are limited to information that is a matter of public record, such as court documents.
My colleague Joe O'Donnell and I have received some criticism for including the public record of Holmes' upcoming court dates in DuPage County in the coverage of his shooting.
Read comments on: '18-Year-Old Shot and Killed in Unincorporated Willowbrook.'
Although we are required to report such information, it is only one piece of the puzzle that would offer a picture of the total human being. It is not the whole picture. The day after he was shot, I walked the grounds of Hinsdale Lake Terrace where Joshua Holmes lived. I asked those who knew him to share their memories.
Understandably, most people refused. They don't know me. They are angry, and they are grieving. Some are scared. I understand and respect that.
READ: Retaliation Over Hinsdale South Grad's Shooting a Concern for Apartment Community'
It is my hope that the people who knew Joshua Holmes will be willing to share the pieces of him that they remember, so we can present a more complete picture to the public of who he was.
I hope that the people who knew and cared about him will not hold back the positive pieces of the picture, because we are all more than just one piece of the puzzle that makes up our lives.
The photos in this gallery were supplied by two people who knew Joshua Holmes through Hinsdale South Young Life. They show a side of him that has not been seen in the media so far. This is a side of him that would not have been seen in the media, had they not agreed to share these photos with us.
Who was Joshua Holmes? We don't have enough pieces of information to answer that. We may never have enough pieces, but maybe you can help fill in some of the blanks. If you want to share your memories or a story about something you did together, click "add a comment" below to share your piece of the picture.
If you have a photo of Josh that you can share, click "upload photos and videos" at the top left of this article, and let us know in the caption what's going on in the picture.
Is there something you want to tell or ask me that you don't feel comfortable putting in the comments? Email me at sabrina@patch.com.
josh was a nice gui we did young life together, he was full of life, had a kind heart.i will always remember our time together, may your soul rest in { PEACE MAN}
This is sooooo hard to do...... I'm holding back tears as I write this. I can hear josh crackin jokes right now if he seen me like this...." t-mack I know you ain't cryin man.....I'm good T-mack" A name given to me by Josh, he always greeted me with a open heart, a smile, and always a heart warming hug when I would see him. As most have stated all have made mistakes as kids, and most of us still do as adults, so to judge someone who never had a chance to redeem himself from his mistakes to be labled is wrong. I loved Josh he kept a smile on my face whenever he was around, it's amazing how knowing a person for such a short time can feel like an eternity when blessed with knowing someone like josh. We often played basketball together and he was always soooo competitive and full of life. I'm going to miss my buddy, and friend. I keep going back to texts, and articles because I keep waking up thinking it was all a bad dream, but to realize this nightmare is real. I will hold my many happy memories of joshua holmes close to my heart. I will miss you, and will cherish the honor of being blessed to call you a friend. I hate that it had to come to this for him to look down smiling on us, to see how much he is loved, and will be missed. To his sisters, brother, mother you have an angel watching over you always. I will miss you!!! RIP: Joshua Holmes<3 .
Joshua was not only my big brother he was a best friend whenever I had a bad day at school he would always just make me laugh I remember when he would just start dancing and singing and I would just laugh. I think it was so cold hearted to do what this guy did to my brother. As I continue to ask "Why?" Why would somebody do such a thing, but as everybody keeps telling me I will probably never know. I will always continue to miss and love my brother and my best friend. R.I.P Josh forever loved
My little brother was my guardian angel, our relationship was unbreakable. He felt like my twin. I still feel him here with me. I see his face everytime I close my eyes. My little brother was misunderstood by many. His talents were limitless, there was nothing he couldn't do, and whatever he did he was extremely passionate doing it. I dedicate my life to you little bro. The sky is our domain.
Who was the writer you emailed about how you felt? When I saw a negative comment below the article, I reviewed it and noticed that something was added to the article by another staff member that was not originally in it. Because my name was on the article, I am associated with that decision, however, I never received an email from you. I wrote this follow up not in response to an outcry or email but as part of the normal course of reporting the story. Tell me who you wrote to and what you want us to know. I take things like this very seriously, and I want to know if the person followed up with you.
My nephew was a good dude. He has been taken from us far too soon. He's impacted the lives of many. Yes, he's made a few mistakes... but which of us haven't. Some people have been caught doing dirt... others haven't. So, be careful in the judgement of another. Josh was a light... put out, but will shine elsewhere. Much love to you Nephew... You will never be forgotten. One love
Joshua, was a soldier! An effervescent spirit that uplifted many with his smile and encouraged many with his words. Joshua was brilliant! I told him that repeatedly, regardless of how inappropriate his behavior or conduct may have been at the time. He and I had probably the most abrasive relationship. "Iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another." Joshua made me a sharper, more thoughtful, and compassionate father. He challenged me in ways that helped me gain a greater understanding of myself, my love for him, and my purpose in life. He was an amazing young man. Colorful in his expression and full of endless potential. I asked him why he took the name "savage", he said they called him that because he was a beast on the mic'. Actually he was a beast in just about anything he picked up. He made people feel good and full of joy when he was around. He was a Free spirit. Not allowing himself to be bound by the narrow views and opinions of others. Sometimes this perspective created obstacles for josh, but he seemed content to face the consequences, for what he chose to do. He was a very courageous young man. He dared to believe and walk to the beat of his own drum. I'm extremely proud of my son, not always by the choices he made for his life, but that he chose to live... I Love My Son Now and Always will. My life will never be the same without his presence!! Love U Soldier, Popz
D. Smile 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012 I went to the same church with both of Josh's parents, grand mother, and several aunts when they were babies. His father was very active, manly, and was a leader in the music ministry of the church. His mom, a very mild and meek individual who nurtured her children. I can still envision his mother coddling him. His Paternal Grandmother,the matriarch and a staple figure in the church---a VERY sweet lady. His aunts and uncles, gifted singers, etc. They were just a talented, family oriented people on both sides. I am saddened by this news. I pray that media outlets would take a long look at what is being said by all of these people: neighbors, teachers, friends, and parishioners., and begin to "FILTER" information "or facts they receive" with sensitivity to the VICTIM when these things happen. There is plenty of time to report "additional facts", if they must, as a trial nears or sometime after the parent(s) have at least buried their loved one. No matter how we feel about a person's former life's short comings, in deaths like Josh's, they are VICTIMS. I really believe some sensitivity training is needed for news media outlets. If they have it already, then maybe it should be revamped. Grief is hard and tragedies like this only complicates it. Why victimize a family even more by killing a loved one all over again with WORDS. In my opinion, it's almost as bad as the shooter. Think about it!
I've attempted to write this many times, but I pulled back because having to funeralize my nephew with my words was just a reality I was ready to face. I am.flooded with so many memories of Josh, he was just an awesome person to know. At the very beginning of his life, his smile caused you to smile, as a toddler his rhythm was beyond his years, as a school age child we noticed that he was gifted in lyrics and rhymes, as a teenager / young adult we saw that he could basically pick up any instrument and play...... In the words of his friend Manny," he was a Savage at everything he attempted to do". I am really going to miss my nephew.
No no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. I feel the pain of your loss through your writing. Let people say what they will!! Remember some people wake up on an assignment from HELL!! Put your blinder on - look ahead. GOD KNOWS! - stay focused on the family. The enemy is lurking through media. dont waste the precious time GOD has granted us on parasites. there mission is to eat at spirit..John John (cuz) well said.. Talanda (cuz) "Josh said he was ok.." Trust in his words. Trust GOD. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. I love you all dearly. Our Lord will give you the strength and peace to endure, and joy in knowing that we will see JOSH again when God also calls the rest of us, to our permanent home in Heaven. Wishing you God’s peace Linda Williams Nixon
RIP Joshua Holmes. You were so unexpectedly taken from us.