Commentary

June 18th, 2009

An Outrage!
Guest Commentary by Carl Braun
National Leader and Co-Founder Border Patrol Auxiliary

In 1983, Morteza Tajik fled the Islamic Revolution in Iran with his young wife and two small daughters. At twenty-nine, he was the oldest of eight children and the only one who could escape the war torn country. They first went to Germany where they applied for asylum in the United States. After four years of trying, it was finally granted and Morteza moved his family to Southern CA in 1987. He worked several jobs as a dishwasher, pizza delivery man and others to provide for his family. His was a classic immigrant story. He and his wife Farideh studied English and struggled to provide a good home and education for his now three daughters. They applied for citizenship, learned American History and civics and after many years of studying and waiting, took the test, in English, and became naturalized American citizens.

In 1997, Morteza got a job as a long haul truck driver delivering auto parts for NAPA out of San Diego. Each week, for twelve years, he drove his truck to Yuma and Imperial County and over a four-day period would deliver parts to local NAPA stores in the middle of the night. He did what most Americans do. He worked hard to provide for his family. It was a struggle but taking a public handout to make it easier was never an option. He was a proud man, a good father and good provider. When it came time to send his girls off to college, he put in extra hours to help pay for it. In 2008, after many years of scrimping and saving his pennies, he bought his first home in Rancho Bernardo.

On June 4, 2009 at 2:25 AM, he arrived at the Somerton, AZ (Yuma) NAPA store to make his delivery. He had keys to the stores and would stock them up with supplies so the sales crew had new product when the store opened in the morning.

According to a confession obtained by police, four alleged "anchor baby" gang bangers of the Soma Street Gang watched in the shadows and decided they were going to "jack this guy up." As Morteza unloaded the truck, 21-year old Israel Lopez and 20 - year old Jose Gonzalez Nunez allegedly ambushed Morteza and beat him senseless with a baseball bat. Lopez then reportedly stabbed him ten times in the heart and chest for good measure. They didn't steal a thing. His wallet and money were found on his body. The keys to the truck, loaded with hundreds of thousands of dollars in product, were in the ignition. Lopez and Nunez, along with another man Daniel Torres, fled the area and left Morteza lying on the blood stained sidewalk to die. At 2:45 AM a passerby noticed his body and called police. Border Patrol was called in to track down the murderers. Their footprints led police right to their house where they were trying to burn the baseball bat. A security camera outside a neighborhood store captured the whole gruesome scene.

Several days ago the pair were arraigned and Nunez flashed gang signs as he was led into court. The families of the murderers were in court crying. "How could this have happened to their sons?" Several days earlier some family members of the accused attacked a news crew. Charges are pending.

Morteza Tajik didn't deserve to die on a dusty sidewalk in the middle of the night at the hands of these gang bangers. He leaves behind his wife, three daughters and a grandchild. The family understandably is devastated as are we. They are our friends. Last night we grieved with them and started the healing process. For the Tajik family it's going to be hard. Morteza didn't believe in his wife having to work. She stayed home to raise the kids. He didn't have much insurance and has a hefty mortgage on his new home. He'll never see his youngest daughter graduate college or his middle daughter marry the United States Marine she is engaged to. They could really use our help. Times are tough but for this family, times are a bit tougher. They have lost their father, husband and grandfather in a senseless act of violence committed by worthless scum living on the public dole. When questioned in court, neither of the murderers could remember when they last had a job, if ever. Reportedly raised by gang-banger parents, their job was to prey on law-abiding citizens. They did it well.

A memorial fund in Morteza's name has been set up to help the family at Navy Federal Credit Union 17030 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego 92128. Donations can also be sent to the family through Paypal at Sunia.Tajik@gmail.com. Even a dollar or two will help. Feel free to send your condolences to the family there as well.

The Tajik's were fervently anti-illegal immigration; more so now. We fellow Americans mourn the loss of Morteza Tajik. His was the typical American story in a nation of immigrants, or at least it was. He worked hard to assimilate into the American culture, provide for his family and contribute to our society. Co-workers called him "Mr. T." Morteza was always there with a smile and had an infectious laugh. He was well liked and a good man. He didn't take anything but the opportunity to prove he was worthy of being an American. We'll all miss him. Unfortunately there are other victims of gang violence and illegal immigration every day. This craziness has to stop.

Media coverage in San Diego has of course been light. Please be sure to forward this commentary to everyone you know, especially the media. The only way we are going to win this battle for our country and our communities is if enough people get mad enough, to do something about it.