Page 2 - 7-1-15 Friday's Edition

Features
Mistaken Identity Leads To Fatal Shooting
Citizens Discuss Traditions Of 4th Of July Holiday
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
As Americans, we celebrate July 4th, as Independence Day. The holiday came about after the Continental Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The draft was submitted on July 2nd, and the document was actually signed on August 2, 1776. It was delivered to Great Britain in November 1776.
Since that time, the 4th of July has been recognized as the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation and celebrated. Some citizens shared comments on how they celebrate the na- tional holiday.
Ms. Ava B. Hill said, “my daughter was born on the 4th of July! So my family tradition is to celebrate the Life of my special little one.”
Dr. George Foxx said, “America celebrates July 4 as Independence Day because it was on July 4, 1776, that members of the Second Conti- nental Congress meeting, in Philadelphia, adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.
“My tradition for the 4th of July is to eat watermelon, BBQ ribs and chicken, corn on the cob, Cole slaw, apple pie, sweet potato pie, and then go for a swim in the pool after the food has digested. Hoping everyone happy holiday.”
Dr. Samuel Wright said, “a celebration among family and friends with scrumptious foods and relaxing drinks!”
MS. AVA B. HILL
MS. TONYA LEWIS
Ms. Tonya Lewis said, “my 4th of July will be spent with family in Georgia at the Jackson's Family Reunion.
“It will be a great opportu- nity being with loved ones and sharing memories of a life- time.”
Danny Green said, “for the last couple years I've been celebrating the 4th of July in New Orleans at the Essence Festival. But, when I was younger every year, we cele- brated the 4th of July at Lowry Park with family and plenty of food.
“The truth of the matter is, Independence Day for Ameri- cans, but most people just
DR. GEORGE FOXX
DANNY GREEN
DR. SAMUEL WRIGHT
look at it as a day off and don't realize the true meaning of holiday Independence Day as the day when Americans be- came independent of Great Britain.”
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday afternoon, Tampa Police responded to a shooting in the North Boule- vard Homes. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered that a 58-year-old woman had been fatally wounded.
Mrs. Sharon Darns Watkins suffered multiple gunshots and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Captain Ron McMullen
said based on information ob- tained, the shooting is not be- lieved to have been random and police do not believe it was the result of a shootout be- tween rivals.
“She was in her home, but she was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It looks like she was mistaken for someone else.”
Captain McMullen fur- ther said, “Members of the community with information need to come forward. Let the suffering cease. If you don’t do it because it’s the right thing to do, then do it because of the reward. “The easiest and quickest way for anyone who wants to remain anonymous is to call Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-873-TIPS (8477). They may even be eligible to receive the reward,” Captain Mc- Mullen said.
Meanwhile, the family of Mrs. Darns Watkins is making funeral preparations. Ms. Erika Williams said Mrs. Darns Watkins and her husband, James, were home alone when the shooting took place. “She was in the bedroom and he was in an- other room when the shooting took place.”
MRS. SHARON DARNS WATKINS 1/11/1957 to 6/27/2015
CAPTAIN RON MCMULLEN
A Tampa native, Mrs. Watkins attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. She was raised in West Tampa and graduated from Jefferson High School.
Mrs. Darns Watkins was the mother of three children, several grandchildren and sev- eral great grandchildren. She was a housewife and enjoyed sitting on her porch.
“She just loved spending time with her family,” Mrs. Williams said.
Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015