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Matt Bunk's Column

Ternes’ final Facebook messages deeply troubling

Written by: Matt Bunk

A 34-year-old Bismarck man was shot and killed by police in Forth Worth, Texas, this morning. His name was Derek Ternes. He was a friend of mine back in high school.

I hadn’t spoken to Ternes in years, but I was connected with him on Facebook, where he posted several chilling, desperate messages in the weeks prior to his death, including one message on June 13 that read “i am stranded with no money. can anyone western union me?”

Matt Bunk

Ternes was apparently in Texas at the time, and his friends and family urged him to return home to be with his daughter. Some friends noted that they would come pick him up if necessary. Others asked him to call them, but Ternes replied that his cell phone had been broken and he was waiting to receive a replacement.

By the next day, people were getting worried about Ternes. One person posted a message asking if anyone had heard from him. Another noted that his “short, choppy posts” were concerning. Still another wrote “Derek – As you can see, so many people care about your safety.  Please contact one of us so that you may come home safely.”

Several days later, Ternes wrote that he was in San Antonio, that he was fine and that he was “not coming back. sorry.” He noted that he knew people wouldn’t understand his decision to leave North Dakota and his young daughter.

By June 16, Ternes wrote that he had changed his mind about coming home. “Thanks everyone,” he wrote. “Got some money and am coming home soon to take care of things. It is always darkest before the dawn. God lights the way by sending friends like y’all. In Texas 3 weeks and I already talkin like them.”

But Ternes didn’t make it home. He was involved in an altercation with another man at the Hotel Trinity in Fort Worth and was shot by police at about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

A police spokesman said Ternes was trying to steal a laptop from a hotel room where the unidentified victim was staying with two of his children. The man confronted Ternes in the parking lot and was shot. A hotel manager called 911 after he heard gunshots.

Police arrived as Ternes was walking away from the scene. When police confronted him, he fired shots. A police officer then shot Ternes.

Ternes was pronounced dead at the scene. No police officers were injured. The man who was involved in the altercation with Ternes was hospitalized.

Back in the day, Ternes was a bit of a troublemaker. I saw some of it first-hand. But, like many mischievous young people, he had a good heart that sometimes was shielded by a rough exterior.

In recent years, Ternes was a weightlifter. I know where he worked out. I know several of the people who worked out with him. I also know he went back to college to become a nurse but dropped out last year.

However, I don’t know what was going on with Ternes during his final days. Neither do many of his friends. But one thing is clear: Ternes was in trouble.

One final Facebook message on June 23 suggests Ternes believed he had been the victim of a crime. “The thief that stole my car that also contained my phone, opened another line and closed mine,” he wrote. “I’m not going to lie, things are complicated and tough right now. I will be able to elaborate in the future. Thanks.”

Rest in peace, buddy. For better or worse, you were still my friend.

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Comments

  1. I also have the pleasure of calling this man my friend. No one or nothing will ever replace the happiness and joy he brought to all of us. I hope that this friends and family will find peace in that.

    • Derek was a dear friend to many but struggled with so many other things inside. He tried in the past to get help but it just never stuck. I hope we all can remember that not all people are bad and he really wasnt, it is just his inner demons got the best of him in the end. He will be sadly missed by so many especially is daughter.

  2. R.I.P.

  3. Unfortunately, the person he shot is not going to make it, either. Derek’s victim is the cousin of a friend of mine. He has two young sons who witnessed(along with the victim’s girlfriend) Derek steal their dad’s laptop from the room. When Derek was confronted about stealing, he shot his victim. An innocent man and father who is now not going to be here to witness his children growing up.

    Please remember the victim’s family during this horrific time as they deal with the impending death of their loved one, who, it seems, was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    • Just found out that the victim passed away. So very sad. Prayers for the family, please.

  4. The local North Texas media have only reported that the victim’s condition remains the same. There have been no reports that he has died.

  5. The Man Derek shot was my nephew and he died from the wound. He left 2 sons and a daughter to live with the memory of this crime for the rest of their lives. I guess Derek really wanted that damn laptop.

  6. This is a tragedy! My grandsons are the two children who witnessed their father being killed. The sad thing is when one of my grandsons was asked about how he was coping with losing his father. He responded to his mother “mom, Derek had children too and they lost their dad too”. What a trooper. My heart goes out to the children who have lost their fathers. The victim, like Derek also struggled with his demons and I can say wholeheartedly that he is at peace too.

  7. Thank you for your insight Holly.

  8. Im sorry for what happened, but what happened? It wasn’t a random burgulary the chances of both of them having guns and the door being unlocked is unsetteling. I knew Derek. He was a good hearted person. I do not know what the circumstances were, but I feel bad for what happened.

  9. Such a sad ending for a good kid…I for one will remember the good and kind person that Derek was and am proud to call him my friend. I pray that he is at peace now.

  10. First of all I can’t believe the insensitively of Matt Bunk! He did his article on Tuesday. He calls himself a friend, but a true friend wouldn’t have invaded his friend’s confidentially and posted what he did before the other victim of this whole nightmare is even cold! Not even for a story!!!

    Secondly, I want to thank Holly for her post and I know the anguish you and your grandchildren are going through as is Derek’s 6 year old daughter and the rest of his family and friends. As one of my best friends said,”bad things happen to good families and no one has the answer why”. I will keep you in my prayers.

    • I’m sorry for the loss of your son, Sharon.

  11. Derek was always a friend. I’ll miss you man. peace

  12. I don’t remember Derek being a trouble maker in high school. This article gives the false impression that he struggled with demons for almost 20 years. From what I know, he didn’t. His drug issues came on about 5 years ago due to a back injury. I remember Matt Bunk being more of a trouble maker than Derek Ternes. What a misleading write-up. RIP Derek.

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