I thought long and hard for what to write about today concerning a subject for my column.

Usually I try and find something going on locally and put a positive spin on it. That seems to make more readers happy and make their day a little bit brighter.

The just-completed fourth annual Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival concluded on Saturday night with headliner Keb’ Mo’ rocking the house. The festival certainly brought a lot of smiles to people’s faces. People came from around the country and from other countries to check out the festival lineup. Keb’ Mo, along with 14 other performers over the weekend, made the festival one not soon to forget.

The annual Washington Parish Free Fair is another Washington Parish staple that brings in crowds from all over. The fair is scheduled for the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton Oct. 21 through Oct. 24. Live music during the fair includes performances by The Dominos, Krossfyre Frank Foster, Lindsey Cardinale, The Voice winner Craig Wayne Boyd, Glen Templeton, Cross Ties, Orphan Annie, David Phelps and Jason Crabb, among others.

Along with the live music, there are all the various activities associated with the fair that are always popular, such as exploring Mile Branch settlement, the senior ladies’ promenade, the country market and all the arts and crafts.

However, the one thing that has played on my mind the last few days is a picture I snapped Tuesday of a murdered man lying in the middle of the street. That was a first for me. Somebody took his life without regard of the impact it might cause. I doubt the murderer even cared.

We now know the murdered man is Trevante Martice, who came to Bogalusa from Lumberton, Miss. Bogalusa police officers theorize the killing is the result of a drug deal that went wrong. Police are looking for two other individuals, including Bogalusa’s Brandon Lotts. He was discovered bleeding at another location on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

In ancient Roman times, murder was considered a spectator sport. There were so many spectators watching the events unfold as police conducted their investigation that at times it had that sense of a spectator sport. It should not be that way.

There were mothers out there with little children in tow watching the proceedings. Everyone could see the body with the man’s feet sticking out from under the blanket. I don’t think little kids should be subjected to such a mental image. That can stay with a person for the rest of their lives. Maybe I’m just naïve in thinking that way. I was taught all life is precious.

We need to get a grip. Maybe the Rev. Marvin Austin Jr. and other ministers need to lead more marches through the city against violence. Maybe the children will learn that it’s not okay to murder another human being. That is my thought and hope.

We’ve got to start somewhere. Parents need to be parents and warn their children about the dangers of drugs. Drugs can kill you one way or another, as we all saw Tuesday.

Randy Hammons is a staff writer with The Daily News. He can be reached by calling 985-732-2565 or by emailing randy.hammons@bogalusadailynews.com.