Recent Homicide Victim Remembered

The victim of a recent homicide was laid to rest today. Crowds gathered at "Saint Philip Monumental Church" to remember Vandell Bivens. The pastor of the church took a stand against "black-on-black" crime...and called for the man sought in Biven's murder to turn himself in.
It was standing room only inside St. Philip Monumental on Saturday - as hundreds came to say goodbye to Vandell Bivens. Bivens was shot and killed in Frazier homes on October eighth - yet another wakeup call to the reality of black on black crime in many of Savannah's neighborhoods said Reverend George Moore, “It's a continuing thing that happens in our community and we sit idly by, quiet, as pastors, shepherds, community leaders and never say anything and I pledge from this day on that I think it's time for us to get up and make a difference.”

Bivens had recently joined the church and many spoke of him as a young man with troubles seeking help on the path to turn his life around. Bivens sister - in one of the more emotional tributes to her brother seemed to call on the crowd to do the same, “I wish I was here to help guide him right from the very start - the start of a life we never dreamed of and the same one some of you will continue to live - but you need to sit and ask yourself - do I really want to be killed?” Reverend Moore believes that area churches should be doing more to reach young people and help them on their journey through life...using church buildings as more than just Sunday meeting rooms, “We have a great responsibility and I think now is the right time because we're living in a world now that's topsy turvy, and people are looking for answers to the problems and concerns they have.” And he believes that responsibility extends even to the one police seek in Biven's murder, “We have to face the issues, that this is where we are you know, that this has happened, reality is you have to face it, you have to deal with the penalty of what has happened, so I do plea to the brother that he would turn himself in and then hopefully he would turn himself over to the lord and can overcome his situation.”

Metro police are still searching for 28-year-old Sidney Ashley Grant. They have a murder warrant for his arrest in the death of Vandell Bivens. Grant is considered to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police or Crimestoppers where you could remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.