The shooting of 27 year-old bartender John Henderson at Standard Food & Spirits in Grant Park last night is absolutely tragic and very unsettling.

WSB has video and photos from the crime scene.

…Why?

UPDATE: Coincidentally, Wheatley published this story – “Intowners claim crime has grown more brazen” – for Creative Loafing today. [ h/t: Going Though the Motions] – who rattles off a list of unsettling crimes in the past year or so and asks “What can be done?”

No simple answer. Utilize your police force and try to minimize your risk of exposure? That rings kind of hollow to me after such a pointless murder.

UPDATE II: I had a feeling that a crime of this magnitude would provoke some sort of public response. Wheatley reports there will be a rally vigil tomorrow morning at 7a at the Standard “to protest [Atlanta]’s scaling back of police officers.” All the details are over on Fresh Loaf if you want to attend.

Lord…Decaturites should support our neighbors to the west and give thanks we don’t have Atlanta’s problems. Thank our police force when you see them on the street and don’t hesitate to contact them. Oh, and if you know of any great policemen out there looking for a new gig, DPD still is seeking new applicants. Send them to decaturpolicejobs.com.

UPDATE III: The AJC has photos from this morning’s vigil.

Will this be the big story of 2009?

As noted under point 12 of the city’s annexation FAQ, the community has to update its Strategic Plan this year for adoption by the commission in 2010.

With a struggling economy, recent tension created by old, unsympathetic zoning, annexation worries, a leaner charter school system, a host of unfinished transportation goals, and an ever-evolving communication strategy, this should certainly be an involved and interesting process.

After reading in the AJC this morning that the Atlanta History Center laid off 15 employees and the Margaret Mitchell House has reduced its staff to ONE, I’m glad I finally stopped procrastinating and became a DeKalb History Center member this past year.

UPDATE: Fellow blogger and frequent DM loiterer, Lain – who has done a bang up job of turning around The Wren’s Nest in recent years – reacts to the AHC cut backs at the Margaret Mitchell House.