Alpha Brother Murdered!

[PHAShriner/1906]

Hotep Brothers, let us pray for the family of Bro. Derek Ali who was murdered a few days ago (9-5-04). Bro. Ali was a well respected member of the Dayton, Ohio community and an accomplished journalist for the Dayton Dailey News. It is a travesty when a life of OURS is taken by way of a senseless fashion. Our Alpha Brother was exemplifying the truest sense of being an asset to his people, and his memory shall forever be cherished by not only those whose lives he touched but his community as well. Homegoing services are being finalized. If at possible please send prayers to the Ohio Brotherhood for their loss. Bro. Ali was also an outstanding member of the Prince Hall Masonic Family and served in numerous leadership capacities as an principal officer. Again, homegoing arrangements are pending. Comments about our brother can be read on the Dayton Dailey News' current post. Keep his family in your prayers. Ptah-Hotep

[Senusret I]

Reporter Killed

Newspaper reporter shot to death outside party

In what police described as a senseless killing, a Dayton Daily News reporter was shot to death early yesterday while pushing a woman away from gunfire outside a building where there was a party. Forty-seven-year-old Derek Ali had been working as a disc jockey at the private party and was moving his equipment to his car at about one a-m when a group of men denied entry to the party became angry and at least one opened fire, spraying the building. Dayton Police Sergeant Gary White says Ali pushed the woman out of the way and was shot in the chest, dying at the scene. No one else was hit by gunfire. Police were checking a possible tip on a suspect. Ali, a graduate of Glassboro State College in New Jersey, was hired by Dayton Newspapers in 1984 as an Action Line Reporter and later became a regional reporter. He was a past president of the Dayton Association of Black Journalists.

(From Fox News in Dayton)

[Senusret I]

Dayton Daily News Journalist Shot And Killed

POSTED: 9:06 pm EDT September 5, 2004
UPDATED: 9:08 pm EDT September 5, 2004
DAYTON, Ohio -- Police in Dayton are investigating the shooting death of a Dayton Daily Newsemployee. The shooting happened at an apartment complex at Lakeridge Court Apartments, where Derek Ali, 47, was deejaying at a party.

Ali was a well-known journalist, covering the Dayton city beat for many years. He also contributed music reviews to the paper. Investigators said it was that love of music that engaged him in a sideline business of deejaying parties and private events. It was in that role that he was shot and killed.

Police said Ali was struck and killed by a single bullet after shots rang out at the party. According to police, some people reportedly had been banned from attending the party, left and came back, and allegedly opened fire on some people leaving the party, killing Ali.

Medics said Ali was pronounced dead at the scene. As police continue to investigate the shooting and search for the person responsible, The Dayton Daily News tries to deal with the loss of a second valued employee in less than a week.

Many of Ali’s co-workers found out about his death while attending the visitation for the funeral of another employee, Jeff Adams. Adams died suddenly of a heart attack while attending the John Kerry rally in Springfield Thursday night.

Ali graduated from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University in New Jersey in 1981. He helped established a charter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity while at Rowan.

Professionally, Ali received many awards during his career, including an award from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists in 1998

[Ideal08]

My prayers go out to Derek's family, coworkers, and friends.

[ladygreek]

This is so sad. My condolences to the family and frat of Brother Ali.

[Kisha]

My prayers are with with family and friends of Bro. Ali during this time.

Sis. K~

[jojapeach]

What a tragic yet heroic loss! My prayers are with his family, frat, and friends. This story sincerely touched me as my heart is still hurting at this moment. Although many of us may not have known him, we can seek solace in the fact that his last action not only saved a life but his selflessness will survive as a fine example of what is truly beautiful in humanity.

[NinjaPoodle]

My condolences to the Ali family and to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.