BCF Press Release

Some of Timathy’s personal story told in a press release on launch day.

This was sent directly to multiple publications on Bomb City Foundation’s Launch Date of 12-12-2022, the 25th anniversary of Brian Deneke’s death.

Press Release

HOW AN AMARILLO PUNK ROCKER INSPIRED A FORNEY-BASED NONPROFIT. 

For Immediate Release

25 years after the tragic passing of Brian Deneke, a North Texas REALTOR has started a nonprofit to honor his memory and promote tolerance and social justice. Local Keller Williams agent, Timathy Dorman, is launching a nonprofit known as Bomb City Foundation. A 501(c)(3), aimed to help teens and young adults that face intolerance and discrimination. 

Only a few months ago, Timathy was home browsing films on various streaming services when he stumbled upon, Bomb City. A film co-written and directed by Dallasite, Jameson Brooks. Bomb City tells the story of punk musician Brian Deneke and the events surrounding his murder. Deneke, 19, was involved in an altercation with a group of football players that resulted in him being run over in a deliberate hit-and-run attack in Amarillo, Texas, by 17-year-old Dustin Camp. Camp was later found guilty of voluntary vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to ten years probation and a $10,000 fine, the fine was later dropped.

A graduate of Eustace High School, Timathy recognized himself in Deneke’s story and was frustrated by having only just learned about it for the first time, close to 25 years after Deneke’s passing. “I had a graduating class of about 85 people, and of those 85, I was not only one of the only “punks,” I was also one of the only out members of the LGBT+ community. In Eustace, it wasn’t only difficult, but at times it was dangerous. When I saw the film's portrayal of Deneke’s trial and I read more about the way he was misrepresented, as a violent radical because of how he looked and the music he liked, I recognized myself in his story and became determined to do something in his memory and honor. Thus, Bomb City Foundation was born.” 

The term Bomb City refers to the city of Amarillo, Texas. A company in Amarillo is responsible for nuclear weapon assembly and disassembly, thus Amarillo being nicknamed Bomb City. “Because our organization was inspired by what happened to Brian Deneke back in 1997 but reaches beyond that singular incident and all that surrounds it. We thought naming the organization Bomb City Foundation rather than The Brian Deneke Foundation, was a more appropriate way to recognize the significance of what happened there, without limiting our scope or focus. Bomb City Foundation isn’t just for punk rock teens, it’s for everyone, and that’s sort of the point. People are people, and we as an organization, are advocating for a world that bases judgment on someone's actions and behaviors, not their physical appearance or musical preferences,” Timathy added.

He continued, “the mission of Bomb City Foundation is simple, we intend to amplify the story of Brian Deneke to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the differences and uniqueness of all people. Our hope is to help put an end to discrimination and to promote social justice. Through public art projects and scholarship opportunities, we aspire to support both artists and young adults who seek to eliminate prejudice and create a path toward a more inclusive and accepting future. We will be using donations to provide scholarship opportunities to teens and young adults who have been victims of discrimination or have plans to promote the better treatment of people in their local communities, the state, or in the world. We will also be funding public art projects to raise awareness about the tragic loss of Brian Deneke, and the threat bullying and hate crimes play in high schools.”

If you’d like more information or if you are interested in donating or volunteering your time or resources, please visit Bomb City Foundation on the web: www.bombcityfoundation.org 

For more information: info@bombcityfoundation.org