It is not known what caused French Valley resident, O’Tavis Hall, to arm himself with a rifle at his home in an incident that led to his death in a confrontation with Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies that were responding to a 911 call. The early morning hours of Sunday, November 24, 2013 were tragic as deputies were forced to shoot Mr. Hall as he raised his weapon in their direction.
The real heartbreak of this incident comes from the fact that Mr. Hall left behind a wife and children. His wife and two young boys were left alone and confused as they tried to pick up the pieces and understand the chaotic events. Things seemed very hopeless for them in the face of their overwhelming loss of a husband and father.
The one bright spot that comes out of this painful and heart-wrenching story is the overwhelming community response. The community has pulled together its resources to help the survivors. Mrs. Hall, who is originally from Ethiopia, was in desperate need of help to deal with the tragedy and care for her one-year old and four-year old sons.
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Early assistance came from neighbors such as Amy Gold, a daycare provider, who has helped greatly with the children and with coordinating community efforts to repair the home and provide needed supplies for Mrs. Hall and her family. Another neighbor, Sara Fisher, was also very instrumental in helping organize the effort along with the victim’s cousin, Courtney Law.
News of the incident was quickly posted on the French Valley Neighborhood Watch board on Facebook. As news came in, the administrators of the board, Jenn English, Liz Johnson, Dina Wagstaff, and Stephanie Ward, immediately began efforts to get the community together for aid and assistance. Local attorney, Robert English, provided free advice and consultation on how to access administrative agencies that might be available to help the family.
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Other responders included Pastor Gary Adams and members of his congregation from the P.O.W.E.R. House Church in Lake Elsinore. Mr. Hall had been a member of the congregation and attended that church.
Key needs of the family included food, diapers, clothing, money for bills, transportation, moral support, cleanup of the residence, and repair of damage caused by bullets. For a significant time after the incident, Mrs. Hall was unable to return to the residence for any possessions or supplies. Local resident, Kirsten Olsen Bailey donated drywall. Gus Figueroa, Juan Rodriguez, and David Bishop were all instrumental in providing handyman labor to assist as well as procuring materials and supplies. Local businesses provided enormous help. Home Depot of Murrieta donated some building materials and discounted others. Andy’s Glass donated windows and installation labor for the family.
Many members of the community pitched in for this effort. A big thanks to all the additional members of the community that helped including Cory and Rachel Akana-Tamburi, Alyssa Aycock, Corby Wagner, Shannon Duben, Angi D Magnino, Priscilla Rivera, Berenice Garcia Martinez, the Figureoa family, Kim Grissom Buhac, Melanie Gozlan, Ambre Novellino, Gretchen Bishop, Jessica Middlemas, Tiffany Harris, Mandy Leahy, Chris and Angie, Karla Weil, Karen Alexander, Lisa Velasquez, Melanie Gozlan, Donna Marie S, Lizmarco Sandoval , Patty Eide, Maria Criscenti Newman, Janice Salud Doty, Cheryl Reed Foster, Jenn Daprato, J'me Serrano, Kellee Koga, Aleana Paschall, and Vanesa Orgill Burnham.
The amazing effort truly shows what a warm and supportive community is located here in Southwest Riverside County.
Article by: Jenn English and Robert English
