My son, Darius Brown, 13-years-old, was gunned down while playing basketball at the park on Chicago’s south side. It was was a warm sunny day and he was doing what he loved to do. Darius was a great kid with a bright future ahead of him. Too many lives have been cut short due to gun violence.
A National Conversation on How We Can Prevent Gun Deaths and Injuries
Personal Stories & Tributes
Tribute to Timothy Darin Pruett
My name is Glenda O’Neill and I am the mother of Timothy Darin Pruett. On March 1, 1985, my son was placed in my arms for the first time, just minutes after he took his first breath. He was so precious, his face so flawless, his skin so soft and I whispered I love you [...]
Tribute to Janet Dent
My beautiful mother, Janet was shot in the head Sept 18, 1971. I was ten years old and heard the whole thing from my bedroom. Her ex boyfriend came to our house in a jealous rage and proceeded to murder her while I cried, helpless to do anything in my bed. He was arrested and [...]
Tribute to Terry Turner
On April 4,2008, Terry Turner, Jr. and I became the proud parents of a beautiful nine-pound girl that we named Terriana. I also have a 15-year-old son named Ivan, so Terry became a father double-time and he was the best. He truly loved our children. Right after Terriana was born, Terry and I married on [...]
Tribute to Teresa Soto Del Rio
In loving memory of our only baby Teresa Soto Del Rio who was brutally taken away from us by an assailant with a 9mm weapon. We will never give up getting justice for you. In 1999, Teresa was shot through her car door in Los Angeles by a “SHOOTER FOR GANGS” with a 9mm. He [...]
Tribute to Lional E.L. Whiteside and “Big” Lionel Whiteside
It has been over 16 yrs. 16 yrs of pain…16 yrs of tears! I gained strength beyond to keep alive the Memory of Lionel, my Son. Lionel was shot and murdered inside of the car by the so called friends he was riding with. He was murdered on my Father’s 66th Birthday and 12 days [...]
I am so sorry for your loss. I live near Chicago and I remember seeing this story in the News. What a tragedy. I cannot even imagine the pain of losing an innocent child. I experienced the loss of a friend from a gunshot wound when I was 9 years old and since that day I have campaigned against gun violence. I hope knowing that others care helps you in some way.