Family, friends mark one year since 19-year-old woman killed in Petersburg

Bill Atkinson, The Progress-Index
Updated ·2 min read

PETERSBURG — On July 2, 2022, Diane Branzelle’s life was changed irrevocably when her daughter was gunned down outside the downtown apartment complex where she lived.

Sunday marked one year since Toni ‘Stinka’ Knight died. Branzelle and about 75 of her family and friends gathered outside the ArtistSpace Lofts on Perry Street to commemorate what she called her daughter’s “angelversary.”

“Stinka has a lot of support and love,” Branzelle said before a short vigil and balloon launch in her daughter’s memory. “She’s well-loved a year later, and I want her to continue to live through everybody, to continue her legacy and her love. She was a very lovable young lady.”

Knight was 19 years old when she died. She was carrying groceries into the building when she got caught in crossfire between two men in the complex’s lobby. A Petersburg jury convicted those two men, Jesiah Flowers and Devin Mitchell, June 9 for her death and will be sentenced in August.

More: Men shooting at each other in Petersburg apartment complex convicted in bystander's death

Branzelle said it was a “relief” to be able to mark the fateful day now that her killers had their days in court.

In attendance for the vigil was Carrie Friar, whose 10-year-old son K’Von Morgan was killed June 17 when a bullet pierced the wall of his bedroom in the Pecan Acres apartment community. The youngster’s memorial service was last Thursday.

Petersburg pastor Belinda Baugh, left, prays over Carrie Friar and Diane Branzelle Sunday, July 2, 2023 at the ArtistSpace Lofts in Petersburg. Branzelle's 19-year-old daughter Toni Knight was shot and killed July 2, 2022 as she walked into the building and was caught in crossfire. Friar is the mother of 10-year-old K'Von Morgan, who was killed June 17, 2023 when a bullet penetrated the wall of his bedroom in the Pecan Acres apartment community and struck him.

Friar placed three roses beneath a mural of Knight on the side of the building, and joined Branzelle and Pastor Belinda Baugh for a few minutes before everyone released purple, red and silver balloons into the gray downtown sky.

The mural was painted by local artist Gee Net of A Lil Touch by Gee.

Baugh, pastor of New Divine Worship Center and a prominent victim’s advocate in Petersburg, said while Knight’s killers have been brought to justice, K’Von’s have not. Saying the Black community is not one to be fearful, she encouraged those in attendance to “keep our doors open and our ears alert,” and say something if you see or know something.

“If you know people that’s got weapons that are illegal, you need to turn them in,” Baugh said.

A third suspect in the Knight case is 16-year-old Keshawn Hicks of Hopewell. Hicks, who was with Flowers at the time of the shooting, has accepted a plea agreement and will be formally sentenced in August.

Nineteen-year-old Toni 'Stinka' Knight is memorialized on the wall of the ArtistSpace Lofts in Petersburg. Knight was killed July 2, 2022 outside the building. Her family and friends held a balloon launch Sunday, July 2, 2023 to mark the occasion of her death. The painting was done by local artist Gee Net of A Lil Touch by Gee.
Nineteen-year-old Toni 'Stinka' Knight is memorialized on the wall of the ArtistSpace Lofts in Petersburg. Knight was killed July 2, 2022 outside the building. Her family and friends held a balloon launch Sunday, July 2, 2023 to mark the occasion of her death. The painting was done by local artist Gee Net of A Lil Touch by Gee.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Family, friends mark one year since 19-year-old killed in Petersburg