‘Something I do not wish on anyone.’ Lexington homicide victims honored by family members
Families of homicide victims gathered in downtown Lexington Monday afternoon to share stories of loved ones who were killed in shootings, but they also drew attention to gun violence after a weekend with three deadly shootings.
Dozens of people were in attendance for the event, which was titled “Walk a Mile in Our Shoes” and was hosted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office outside Fayette County’s old courthouse.
Several city leaders were in attendance, including Mayor Linda Gorton, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt and One Lexington Director Devine Carama.
“This is something I do not wish on anyone,” said Jackie Shannon, whose 18-year-old grandson, Tyler Williams, was shot and killed in July 2017. “I don’t want you to walk in our shoes.”
The event was scheduled ahead of time but took place just one day after a violent weekend in Lexington, where four people were killed in three separate shootings. Lexington has now reported 19 homicides this year.
Many of the people who spoke Monday lost family members years ago. In the wake of a tragic weekend for more Kentucky families, survivors shared that they still feel pain.
“I’ve been doing this since 2016 and as you can tell, it doesn’t get any easier,” Kenya Ballard said while fighting back tears. “Every time something happens, it’s like a trigger for us.”
Ballard has had four of her family members killed in shootings – Maryiah Coleman, 22; Jakobe Coleman, unborn; Nova Marie Gallman, 2; and her son Floyd Dunn III, 16. She said she’s appreciative of the support she’s gotten from community members since 2016, but she wishes she wasn’t in that position.
“As much as I love these people, I do not want to be standing here,” Ballard said. “I just wish that things could be different for everybody, not just us but for everybody.”
All the survivors of past shootings shared similar messages of grief and remorse. Marita Cole, whose 26-year-old son William “Joshua” Cole was killed in May 2017, said events like Monday serve as a tragic reminder of how many families have been victimized by gun violence.
“It’s sad to say that this is the way we have to remember the ones that were killed by gun violence,” Cole said. “This many people is too many.”
Eight arrests have been made in connection to Lexington’s 19 murder cases this year. While the city did report multiple deadly shootings over the weekend, homicides are still much lower than they were in 2022, when Lexington set a new homicide record with 44.
Some of the speakers at Monday’s event urged people to come forward if they know anything about open murder cases.
“Everybody is not considered a snitch, you’re considered a witness,” said Tiffany Clark, whose 20-year-old son Zion Clark was killed in March 2020. “I wish these young men and these young ladies would know the difference between being a snitch and being a witness.”
Anyone with information about an active homicide investigation can call the Lexington Police Department at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 tips app available at www.p3tips.com.
