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Investigators return to scene where Somer Thompson disappeared to search vacant home: FDLE vans, other law enforcement on scene at 1080 Gano Avenue; five sex offenders still being sought
BY MATT SOERGEL, JIM SCHOETTLER STORY UPDATED AT 5:34 PM ON THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 2009 ORANGE PARK — Authorities investigating the death of Somer Thompson are seeking evidence in a vacant house and surrounding property, including a full Dumpster, at 1080 Gano - the area where the 7-year-old was last seen, said Mary Justino, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office.
The house was damaged in a fire a about three months ago, Justino said. The owners of the house have given deputies permission to go on the property. A neighbor said three men had been living on the property before the fire.
The home, which has missing person fliers of Somer taped to a window, was being refurbrished. The Dumpster on the property appears full of construction debris. FDLE investigators in white suits are picking through the Dumpster piece by piece. From inside the home, several flashes were seen.
The street has been roped off with yellow police tape. Authorities began convening at the scene across from the Orange Park Athletic Association's ballfields around 3:30 p.m.
Somer disappeared at that location about 2:45 p.m. Monday while walking home with her brother from Grove Park Elementary School, which is less than a half mile away from the current activity. Her body was found Wednesday in a Folkston landfill. Justino said the medical examiner in Savannah positively identified Somer through dental records.
Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said he believes Somer was abducted and murdered on the way home from Grove Park Elementary School. He indicated there were no suspects and warned area residents to be on guard.
"There is a child killer on the loose," Beseler said at a 7:15 a.m. news conference. "I fear for our community until we bring this person in."
via jacksonville.com
I am praying for Somer Thompson’s mother and family. I cannot imagine the pain and grief they are experiencing. But I am also praying for the authorities who are diligently looking for the monster who killed this innocent child. Whoever did this must be caught. The person deserves the death penalty (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12).
I know this may sound strange coming from the lips of a Christian. Yes, I preach forgiveness (Matthew 6:15). As individuals we are called to forgive and to not retaliate. Vengeance is the Lord’s (Romans 12:19-21). But one of the ways God exacts vengeance and brings justice to criminals is through the government. I believe God has authorized the government to use capital punishment for heinous crimes such as this one. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.” Romans 13:3-4 (HCSB)
The government is God’s servant and has been given the power of the sword for the purpose of punishing evil. If ever a case called for evil to be punished, it is this one. I can forgive a person as a Christian, but there are still consequences to a person’s actions. This person must pay the consequences.