Jeriah Woody, photo via palmbeachpost.com

Florida teen murders street Christian preachers

Everyday hundreds of people fall victim to street violence in the US. On the evening of Jan. 30, Steven Ocean, 23, and Titus Sifra, 24, became victims as well when Jeriah Woody, 18, shot and killed them at point-blank range after they shared the message of Christ with him, according to a witness, reports MNN.

The witness said Woody got a phone call and said he "had to go" after listening to the two for 15 minutes. He turned and started walking in the other direction, but then he suddenly turned back towards the three men wielding a gun. He shot Sufra at point-blank range. When the Ocean ran, he chased after him, shot him from behind, walked up to him and shot him in the head execution style. The witness ran in the other direction and escaped.

However, although the case is almost two weeks old now, there has been little media coverage.

Voice of the Martyrs Todd Netttleton says, "If this had been two Muslims out sharing the Quran and talking to people about Mohammad and they were shot and killed, there would be marches, there would be protest, there would be 24 hour coverage. As a Christian, that's a frustrating thing that the media doesn't seem to want to pay attention to incidents where Christians are targeted."

Jonathon Racho with International Christian Concern says these events would make headlines all over the nation with countless politicians adding their comments about the event.

Instead, not only have there been no headlines, the information which has been circulated is almost buried, with little clear facts.

It is known that on Feb. 3 Woody turned himself in to Boyton Beach police and was charged with two counts of first degree murder. The following day there was a bond hearing, but bond was denied.

Racho said he hears accounts of Christians facing persecution around the globe daily, but usually it is different in the US where there is freedom of religion.

"There is a growing hatred against Christians in this country. More and more people are becoming intolerant. This is a very clear case of hate crime against Christians," he said.

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TAGS: USA street violence street preachers Jeriah Woody Titus Sifra Steven Ocean Voice of the Martyrs persecution freedom of religion

[02/11/2010]

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