Since when did this become The City Full of Dangerous Ex-Boyfriends?

This morning I saw a “Child Abduction Alert” posted on Peachtree Industrial and thought, “Ah, damn.” Turns out it was far worse than I originally imagined: one Terrance McDowell forced his way into his ex-girlfriend’s Clayton home, raped her at gunpoint, shot her father eight times, abducted her two kids (one of which was his) and fled in a green ’98 Kia Sephia, tag ARL 5783.

At the risk of taking over the true-crime slot from Steve H, I have to say: Christ Almighty. The two kids are 4 and 5 and the ex-girlfriend is 20 (according to the AJC; the 11Alive report is slightly more muddled) and most likely having the worst day of her entire life. If you’re the praying kind, pray for her and those kids.

But good Lord, people. First Brian Nichols (originally on trial for raping his ex) and now this. What is with these men? There are plenty of Atlanta men — black, white, and otherwise — who, upon suffering a breakup, go out drinking with their friends, throw darts at the ex’s picture, listen to George Strait, and otherwise handle it in healthy and appropriate ways. Why do we seem to be having an onslaught of murderous fuckheads?

I feel obligated to include this link and this link.

Update: The kids have been found safely in North Carolina, thank God.