INGLEWOOD – 2021 was a deadly year in the city of Inglewood. Murders in Inglewood reached numbers equal to those recorded in 2014, with many of victims being teens. One of whom would be celebrating her 19th birthday today, Jan. 31.
Daina Monroe is a daddy’s girl. He vividly recalls their drives to her volleyball tournaments.
“The rides to the tournaments were our time,” said Darrin Monroe, her father. “I didn’t realize I liked volleyball until she started playing.”
“I have a son, but I’m definitely a ‘Girl Dad’,” said Monroe with a smile.
I met with Monroe and his son, Daniel Butler, over breakfast who graciously allowed me to hear their story of Daina and their struggle to get answers about the investigation into her death.
“I don’t feel like we’re getting enough information.”
Daniel Moore on the lack of urgency within the Inglewood Police homicide division.
The weekend of the Oct. 15 began like any other day. Monroe celebrated his birthday, which was also the last day he saw his daughter alive.
“We really had a good time, and I still can’t believe this happened to her,” Monroe said.
Daina was living in the same building on Inglewood Ave. that her father lived in since 1974. It’s a typically quiet, street filled with families and lots of trees.
By Monday, Oct. 18, Daina and a group of her friends went out, and parked in front of the building when they returned him.
“I was supposed to meet her after I got gas in my car,” said Butler. “But when I didn’t get gas because I got a call instead.”
“DAINA GOT SHOT”
“I don’t know how I made it to the hospital because my car was on E and cut off as soon as i pulled up to the emergency room,” recalled Butler. He feels it was a sign.
At home, Monroe was asleep. Ignoring the barrage of calls from Daniel. He finally picked up sensing something was wrong.
“Daina got shot!” was all he heard. Forty minutes later he’s at the hospital, and security is asking for her parents.
UNSOLVED MURDER
As the City began preparing for the incoming NFL stadium, an intricate camera system was installed on light posts along Manchester Blvd. Cameras Inglewood Mayor James Butts said would be helpful in solving crime.
To date, multiple murders that have been caught on camera remain unsolved, despite rewards announced from the City.
Inglewood was the most recent city to be the site of a mass shooting.
Five people were shot during a birthday party held at an un-regulated Airbnb on Jan. 23. Despite videos circulatiing the community, and social media “chatter”, the police department has no description of the suspects.
“Inglewood Police Department isn’t known for solving homicides,” said Carl McGill, a former cop focused on anti-gang measures.
That is of no comfort to the families of Monroe, Andrew Summerfield, Slim 400, Hakim Kent, Dennis Ashley, Vincent Cochran Jr., Erik Shilling, or any of the other countless victims of violence in our community.
Where is the sense of urgency by the community to assist in solving these murders?
Happy Birthday Gucci!
