JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Justice Coalition hosted a breakfast Friday morning in Jacksonville to honor and support thousands of victims of violent crimes and their families.
News4JAX anchor Ashley Harding was the emcee of the event called “Victory over Violence” at the Jacksonville Firefighters Association union branch on Stockton Street in Jacksonville.
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Parents of murder victims were among the speakers, including the parents of Tristyn Bailey and Gabriel Devoe.
Gabriel Devoe was shot and killed in the parking lot of an Arlington apartment complex nearly two years ago.
Devoe was the cousin of News4JAX anchor and Traffic Anchor Amanda DeVoe.
“His contagious smile. His demeanor. The light that he brought to our family. He was humorous, he was funny and he loved life. He loved his God. He loved football. I remember our family when he would come home from college. I would run down the stairs and say there is my brand new baby boy. He would say a mile. Hey pretty lady. I miss that moment. I would give anything to have that again,” Rose Devoe, Gabriel’s mother, said.
Gabriel was a month shy of graduating from college when he was killed.
There has not been an arrest in his case.
His mother, Rose, said there is a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in his case.
“I am going to fight to the end for his justice,” Rose said.
Rose talked about the work the Justice Coalition has done for her and her family since her son’s murder.
“They opened their arms and they embraced me and they walked me through. They told me options that were available for me as a victim. They will be there when justice is served to attend the court hearings and accompany me doing what I am sure it will be one of the hardest and darkest times of our lives. I commend them for the work that they do, the little funding that they have,” Rose said.
Justice Coalition Executive Director Robert Bracewell said the organization provides resources to crime victims and their families.
“Being the voice of them through the court system, helping them in any type of need that they may have as far as counseling, legal advice, referring them to other organizations and being a listening, ear and voice for them, and allowing them to tell their story,” Bracewell said.
According to the Justice Coalition, one of the reasons for this fundraiser is for them to raise enough money to restart it monthly newspaper that it had to discontinue back in 2020.
Money raised at this event will go toward assisting more victims, and its goal to restart its monthly victim advocate newspaper. It’s been on hiatus since 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of funding.
Then there was the case of 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, who was stabbed to death by a schoolmate on Mother’s Day in 2021 in St. Johns County — a case that sparked national attention.
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Her killer was sentenced to life in prison, and he has to serve at least 25 years.
Tristyn’s father, Forrest, was also one of the guest speakers. He says their family started a foundation in her name.
The resources that it offers include scholarships and self-defense classes for teenagers.
“My daughter fought for her life. She was stabbed 114 times, 49 of which were defensive. She was a fighter and that is honoring her,” Forrest said.
He said the Justice Coalition’s mission needs to continue.
“Victim advocacy, what you are doing as the justice coalition is needed,” Forrest said.