LEXINGTON, Ky. — On September 25th, the city of Lexington commemorated the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Community members gathered at the Lyric Theatre to honor the lives lost to gun violence, emphasizing the real faces and stories behind the statistics. Attendees were invited to symbolically “walk a mile in their shoes,” reflecting on the profound impact of violent crime in the community.
The event showcased the faces of gun violence victims, as well as pairs of shoes representing those who could have contributed positively to society. Cathy Swain, a grieving mother who lost her son Pietro to gun violence in 2021, shared her sorrow. “Baby shootings, grandmama shootings, big kid shootings, little kid shootings, and it lets you see that the numbers are real,” she lamented. The presence of these reminders aimed to evoke compassion and awareness.
In attendance were several families affected by violence. Felicia Gayle Hairston spoke fondly of her late grandson, Berkley Parks, highlighting his potential and the joy he brought to his family. Similarly, Deana Mullins recounted her son, Sean Howard, who was just 19 years old when he was murdered at a local Kroger on August 5, 2017. Mullins expressed her raw grief, compounded by the 2021 court decision that delivered a not guilty verdict in her son’s case.
Both Swain and Mullins conveyed that the pain of losing a loved one to violence does not diminish with time. “I feel it – every day I wake up, every night I go to bed – I feel what you’re going through,” said Swain, resonating with fellow families experiencing similar heartache. Mullins emphasized the importance of communal healing spaces, stating, “We’re not walking this journey alone; we’re walking beside each other.” This collective support stands as a vital tool in coping with their sorrow.
In a poignant plea, Mullins called on individuals with violent tendencies to reconsider their choices. “Because for them, it affects them that day they have a conflict… But for these families in this community, it’s a never-ending story,” she explained. The event aimed not just to remember the victims but also to foster dialogue about conflict resolution, urging community members to choose non-violence.
This day serves as a solemn reminder of the realities of gun violence in Lexington and beyond, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by families who endure the loss of their loved ones.
