JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Families and friends gathered Thursday night to remember victims who were lost to crime and those who survived in Jacksonville.
Honoring, remembering and comforting were the goals for families and loved ones of murder victims who gathered for a candlelight vigil at Unity Plaza in the Brooklyn neighborhood during National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
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Crowds gathered for moments of prayer and to light candles for their loved ones who were lost to violence. While many of the families said this is a painful time, it’s also a way they can see and feel the support of others.
Two Jacksonville teens were among the victims celebrated. Fourteen-year-old Megan Simmons and 13-year-old Jazmine Shelton were best friends who both were gunned down in a drive-by shooting while they slept in a Northwest Jacksonville home in 2013. Their killer has never been caught.
News4Jax spoke with Neta Sessions, Simmons' aunt, about the pain her family still feels today.
"She would have been 17. It's hard. I just never thought she wouldn't be here to celebrate her birthday with us," Sessions said.
Every day, Sessions grieves but, more than anything, she holds onto precious memories.
"Her favorite thing to do with me was go to country concerts. She got to meet Jason Aldean. That's the memories that I cherish," Sessions said.
For others who've lost loved ones to homicide, those memories are also what keep them going.
This year's event was not only special, it was also a little different. At the vigil, there was a feature called "Portraits for Hope," which are paintings showing some of the victims.
For many, it’s hard to imagine a family member’s picture posted on one of these boards.
But it’s the reality for far too many.
Jimmie Simpson was added to the wall of victims who lost their lives to violence.
“Really emotional looking at my son up there on those pictures," said Cheryl Simpson, Jimmie's mother.
His family said he was murdered four months ago, just before Christmas.
“I guess I just want to be surrounded by other people that shared my spirit," Simpson said. "It’s hard. It’s really hard.”
Simpson said she wasn’t quite ready to come to an event like this vigil, but it’s something the rest of her family wanted.
“I’m just meeting families that are going through the same thing I’m going through, and it’s not good looking at another person’s eyes, feeling their sorrow," Simpson said.
Other families dealing with the same grief gathered together to support one another.
While many of these people have been to this vigil year after year, the Simpson family is marking it on their calendar for the first time.
Simpson said her 21-year-old son left behind two young sons. She said Jimmie was playful and loving, and she’s appreciative of the platform to share his memory.
“Somebody that didn’t go through something like this really couldn’t talk to you. You really wouldn’t want to know what they got to say. Somebody who has been through the hurt, I think, they would help us out," Simpson said.
Also new this year was the Golden Shoes Project. These shoes, once worn by victims when they were alive, are now decorated.
The names of hundreds were read aloud, and gold shoes were lined up across the stairs to symbolize the impression each person made on Earth.
Glen Mitchell, the founder of Compassionate Families, said his message for Thursday is simple and heartfelt.
"This points to the families and survivors that the community has not forgotten their loss," said Mitchell.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Families of Slain Children Inc. will hold a balloon release at 3108 North Myrtle Ave. Victims, family members, Victim Assistance Advisory Council members and local nonprofits will participate.
To support Families of Slain Children Inc., visit www.fosci.org.
Anyone who knows anything about an unsolved murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
