Episode 123 William Benjamin Jenkins
In 1997, Sixteen year old William Benjamin Jenkins of Richmond, Virginia was like a lot of teenagers his age. He loved music, hanging out with friends, and being creative. In August of that year when he landed a job at a local fast food joint called 'Bullets', William was looking forward to it. He was excited to earn money and save up for a guitar. But sadly, on August 12th of that year, William's life came to a tragic halt. As William left the restaurant on just his second day working there, he was the victim of a robbery. Waiting outside the store was a 23 year old gunman with a checkered background, and he was out to make some easy money. He forced William at gunpoint to go back into the restaurant. When the manager opened the door to let William back in, the gunman, without warning, shot William once in the neck killing him instantly. His killer proceeded to rob the restaurant of $1700 cash, and fled leaving the manager shaken, but alive. Luckily, one of William's co-workers who was waiting for a ride on the other side of the restaurant, heard what happened and called 911 from a phonebooth.
As the killer fled the scene, police arrived and took him into custody along with two other people.
Police were then tasked with breaking the news to William's parents that he was dead; killed in cold blood. In the aftermath of the senseless murder, William's parents were forced to make arrangements for their son, and prosecutors planned to seek the death penalty for the killer. In a tough decision, William's family asked prosecutor's to spare the defendant's life, and he pled guilty to murder, and was sentenced to life without parole.
Following William's murder, his father, Bill Jenkins, decided to start a website to honor his son's memory and document the case.
Later, Bill Jenkins path included becoming a victim's advocate. He also wrote a book to help families of murdered victims called 'What to Do When the Police Leave? A Guide to the First Days of Traumatic Loss'
Bill's path came full circle as he later married his wife, Jennifer Bishop Jenkins. She herself was a survivor, and lost multiple family members to violence. Ironically, they met at a murder victim's conference. Today, the couple continues to work as advocates for victims & survivors of violent loss.
In this episode, Bill discusses his son's tragic death, but more importantly his life, and the legacy he left. He also discusses his work helping people going through tragic events similar to the one he experienced.