Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE
A mother from Arizona is attempting to raise awareness of an organization called The Bail Project after it helped get a man out of jail who then allegedly killed her son in October.
Fox News reported that Travis Lang allegedly shot and killed Dylan McGinnis, 24, on Oct. 1 after the former had been held in jail for possession of cocaine and three additional felony charges “including breaking and entering, resisting arrest and burglary.”
Now, Lang, of Indianapolis, has added a murder charge to his rap sheet, Fox 59 noted further.
The initial charges against Lang were filed in December 2020, but he posted a $5,650 bond in January 2021 using funds partially supplied by The Bail Project.
Nikki Sterling, McGinnis’ mother, told Fox News Digital that she was angry and “shocked” to learn that Lang had been bailed out of jail with the organization’s assistance.
“When I first learned about (The Bail Project), I needed to learn more about what their mission was, I didn’t know what they were doing. But then when I found this out, honestly, I was shocked,” Sterling said.
Afterward, she said she has felt the need to raise awareness of what The Bail Project is involved with so that other families do not have to bear the pain of losing a child in the way she did.
“And then it became a mission for me to spread the awareness that there is an organization nationwide that is supporting violent offenders to get out and helping them get out of jail by bailing them out,” Sterling told Fox News Digital.
“But you know, if I can help prevent this from happening to any other family, then I would say that, you know, my life has been purposeful and also carrying out the legacy of my son, who was always so helpful to other people,” she added.
Sterling added that her son was helping a friend of his get back on her feet when Lang allegedly killed him. The local Fox affiliate reported that McGinnis was in a vehicle with the woman who was doing a drug deal with Lang when he was killed.
“Just knowing Dylan and the kind of person that he was, in my opinion, he most likely just did not want her to go by herself or be alone. He probably feared for her,” Sterling told the outlet, adding that she is trying to ensure her son is remembered most for trying to help others in need.
Sterling said Dylan is being remembered most for how much he helped others out when they were in tough situations.
“He was a great young man,” Sterling said. “He loved spending time with his family and friends the most. And also helping others.
“I think when we take a step back and we look at everything that he’s done and everything that we found out. You know, even at his funeral visitation, the stories that we continue to hear from friends and relatives was just how much he helped other people out of different situations, whether it be mental abuse or physical abuse from family,” she added.
A spokesperson for the organization said that “the Bail Project provided bail assistance for Mr. Lang last January for part of the bail he needed for his release.”
“At the time we interviewed Mr. Lang, his grandmother and fiancé had already secured part of his bail through a bail bonds agent, but they could not afford the rest. We provided assistance so they could bring him home while he waited for the court to decide his case. We denounce violence in all its forms, and it is never our intention to put anyone at harm,” said David Gaspar, director of operations for the organization, added.
Jon has over 30 years' worth of reporting experience, as well as an author and U.S. Army veteran. He has a BA in political science from Ashford University and an MA in national security studies/intelligence analysis from American Military University.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.