JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville held a special event commemorating Victims’ Rights Week Monday morning at City Hall.
Sunday marked the start of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness and supporting victims and survivors of violent crime. This year’s theme is “How can you help?”
RELATED | National Crime Victims’ Rights Week kicks off events to support victims, survivors of violent crime
A round of applause and a standing ovation were held for Rose Devoe during Monday’s event.
Devoe is a Jacksonville mother who lost her son too soon.
“Stop having a blind eye to what’s happening in our community,” Devoe said.
Devoe shared her pain in front of a packed room at City Hall where city leaders and community members gathered to commemorate this week.
“Gabriel was 30 days away from graduating from college. When he came home for a visit and was murdered. I miss Gabriel, I miss him every day I miss his smile, his humor, his laughter, I miss running down the stairs and putting my head in his chest and telling him Hi, and that I missed him,” Devoe said.
Watch the full event in the video below:
Gabriel Devoe was 23 years old when he was found murdered in a parking lot off Justina Road in Arlington in 2022. There’s a $15,000 reward out for information that helps solve his murder.
MORE | ‘It’s surreal’: Mother of son shot and killed in Arlington puts up billboard in hopes of an arrest
Mayor Donna Deegan has made reducing violent crime in Jacksonville one of her top priorities since taking office.
Last year, Sheriff T.K. Waters and Mayor Deegan worked together to relaunch the Jacksonville Journey Program with the goal of addressing the root of violent crime through outreach programs and community involvement.
Under their leadership so far this year, gun violence is trending down. According to News4JAX’s crime records, there were 32 fewer violent crimes compared to this time last year.
“As we’ve seen today, it very much is a priority. We as a community have to support and come around the people that have been impacted by the people that do choose to break the law. And so, those survivors of those crimes in Jacksonville, especially have a great deal that is available to them,” Vice Chair of the Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Committee, Kari Messer, said.
Devoe said it’s time we all do our part.
“Individuals who witnessed my son’s murder, they’re out there we know they are. It was 7 p.m. It was barely dark. So we know there were many people in the community who saw what happened to Gabriel,” Devoe said. “It’s our community before it was the villains’ community. So we have a right and a duty. We’re mandated to stand up, speak up and say something. That is the only way that change will be effective.”
You can learn more about the City of Jacksonville’s victim services by visiting this website.
To learn about all the Victims’ Rights Week events, visit this website.