Deseret News | Reader comments: Man slain at a truck stop in Salt Lake

Reader comments
Man slain at a truck stop in Salt Lake

just wondering | 2:30 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

ive reports that Mr. Jenkins (the security guard) is an African American male. does anybody know if he attended hillcrest hs? i had a good friend by the same name and pray that this was not him...just wondering.

Ray | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

yes he did go to hillcrest high

Manna | 9:26 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

All for a simple pack of gum.

Comments continue below

A Driver | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

This is heart breaking. I stop there every night.... and am very familiar with all the guards there.

I am sickened by this.

My deepest and most sincere sympathies to the family.

Dj NtZ | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

Vern was a buddy of mine and I've played basketball with him over the last 4 years!! He has always meant good to society and always trying to help people in good or bad!! You will be missed my friend! We love ya bro and know you're in a better place!! May justice take care of itself and that man get what he deserves!! God bless you and you family as you will be truly missed!!

Whit Lund | 10:12 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I was there but didn't witness the shooting. I had gone into the store to use the ATM machine but found I had left my wallet in the car. I went to retreive my wallet and when I came back in, there he was laying in a pool of blood. It happenend within seconds, as I didn't hear any shots. I wondered at the time if he had fallen and hit his head as I hadn't seen the event occur and I didn't feel I could do anything as he was bleeding so profusly and I'm not medically trained. Looking back, perhaps I should have tried to do something more and will have to live with the guilt of not getting more involved. In retrospect I learned that the man I saw sitting next to the guard at the table with blood splattered on his face was the gunman who still had access to the firearm. I think the guard probably died instantly. I think laws should be passed where handguns can only be purchased after a screening for mental illness. I'm conceil carry trained but not licensed yet. It is such a responsibility. This was so tragic and senseless.

JESSICA | 10:22 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

VERNE HAS BEEN ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS FOR 5 YEARS. HE IS A GREAT MAN, THAT WAS A GREAT FATHER MAKING A HOONEST LIVING. UNLIKE MANY OTHER MEN IN THE "COMMUNUITY." VERNE WENT TO HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL AS I ALSO DID. I DON'T KNOW HIM FROM THERE, IN FACT WHEN I MEET HIM HE HELPED ME WITH A TIRE ON MY CAR THAT WAS FLAT. I KNOW ALOT OF HIS FAMILY AND, EVERY ONE IS GOOD PEOPLE. I WILL SEE THEM AND BE THERE FOR MY FRIENDS FAMILY, AS IF THEY ARE MY OWN.

WBM5 | 10:43 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I wish they would say more about Mr. Jenkins in the report. They didn't say he had a family or where he was from. I heard his age and the first thing I wanted to know was about his personal life. It is a shame not to write more about him and honor him. Maybe I have missed any reports of this.

Deepest Sympathy | 10:46 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I am a distant relative of Mr Malcolms and was horrified to hear of this senseless act of violence. My deepest sympathy goes to Vern, his family and friends and to all of those that were witness to this horrible crime. May God bless you all.

THANK YOU! | 11:03 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

Thank you all for your kind words. He will be missed by all of us. I would also like to say thank you to the relative of Mr. Malcolm. Though tragic for us, I feel that he has destroyed or disrupted many lives in his family as well. I hope you all take a second to kiss your loved ones and value whatever life you have. It can happen that fast and for something as simple as five minutes of an impatient person's time and a pack of gum.

Respectfully,

-hIM

A Friend | 11:04 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

He was a good friend for the most part. I cared for him deeply. He will be missed. I can only imagine what the family is going thru. God bless you.

Think before we act | 11:12 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I am amazed to read that Roger Malcolm shot him and then just sat down next to him. We all need to control our rage and realize that life is to short and we need to be more patient and understanding of others. My wife always comments, When I get upset at others, that she was sure they got up this morning to ruin my day. The interstates are busy and the shopping areas are full of people and at times it feels like a powder keg out there! We all need to think before we react. It seems like reality set in on Roger, but it was to late - The consequence was already chosen. We must think before we act!! Calmer heads need to prevail!! God bless all inolved in this senseless tragedy - Where rage replaced reasonableness!!

Liz | 11:24 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

Verne was a great freind of mine for 9 years. I will miss him deeply. My condolences go to his wife, family and children.

Tomie | 11:29 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I wish they would post a picture of Verne. I was friends with a Verne Jenkins and unfortunatley we lost touch. I hope and pray it was not the same one. He was such a sweet person and always made people laugh. My thoughts and heart go out to both families.

Rachel | 11:43 a.m. Dec. 27, 2007

Oh, how heartbreaking. Prayers and hope for comfort to the families involved. Diddo on our need to nicer and more patient with each other as fellow human beings. It's scarey enough to go through life, period, without all the anger.

Ken | 1:08 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

In this day and age, with the threat of terrorism and most anything else possible. i wonder why security guards dont have bullet proof vest, why they are not allowed to carry oc or have any way to defened themselves. I think it's sad that these men and women who work in this proffession cant be better protected. after all they are there to help protect us. What a shame. My prayers are with his family. Im so sorry.

Anthony | 2:58 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

Verne was my bestfriend for the last 15 years we had lost touch the last 2 years but i love him like a brother my heart goes ot to his family. I will miss you your bestfriend Anthony.

Heather | 4:52 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

As a fellow security guard my heat goes out to him, and his family. We risk our lives everyday with out the protection of a gun, but we do our jobs and help to prevent so many things that when something like this happens we all feel it. Just like when a cop dies, we all feel it. He served his state and patrons. He will not go unremembered. I'm proud to call myself a Security Guard and I praise anyone else who is. Verne is a man of honor, and he died defending us. Though I will never meet him, I wish I had. Rest in peace Verne, you did well.

Amber | 5:12 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I didn't know Verne that well. He was good person. Thoughts go out to his family.

Linda D | 5:43 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

As a former trucker, I saw this exact rage toward truck stop employees when a customer fueling his car was disgruntled over how slow the worker got his fuel going. He was so over the top angry and I really thought it would be no shock for him to pull a gun at that point. I thank God it never happened and wanted to say thank you to all the workers at the truck stops everywhere for putting up with so much. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Mr. Jenkins and Sapps. I pray he was saved and with his Father in heaven now.

Ken | 8:22 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I am a frequent customer at Sapp's. This I don't have words enough to express my sorrow for Verne's family, friends and co-workers. What I can say, is that the employees ant Sapp Bros are top-notch. You won't find a friendlier, more professional bunch at any truck stop anywhere. I encourage all visit the truck stop and help to return this business to normal. In some way, I would hope that would honor Verne. Maybe his senseless death would not be in vain.

SAPP 44 | 8:40 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

vern jenkins was a kind and gentle man. he taught me much throughout hs and i have reflected much on his humble character and confident nature since we graduated together from hillcrest...i realized thru mr. jenkins that although we were fellow minorities in this state because of our skin color we did not have to live up to the negative stereo types that are associated with it...vern's lesson to me was to be a good man, and to teach with peace. even in his last moments he was helping others....the world needs more "vern's"...we will all miss you brother...#44

Jim | 8:45 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

I have alot of different arguments for and against gun control, but when something like this happens and it is happening all too often, the argument for gun control strengthens. If this guy didn't have access to a gun...this wouldn't have happened

Concerned | 9:55 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

My mom used to work with Vern and she was very sad to hear the news my condolences first of all, and second I think sapp brothers should think about training guards to carry guns, A lot of truckers and transits carry guns and who knows how many other people could get hurt.

Jamie | 12:53 p.m. Jan. 2, 2008

I feel bad for Verne's familiy to have to have gone through this. But everyone has a breaking point and Roger Malcolm hit his.He wasn't homeless, he had a well paying job.People do not understand that you can push someone so far. I do not condone his actions but I do understand that if you are being harrassed you can only take so much.

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