NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Northwest Miami-Dade community hosted a ceremony on the birthday of King Carter, a 6-year-old boy who was shot and killed.
The ceremony was hosted by community leaders, Thursday, who announced that a street will be named after the slain child on what would have been his eighth birthday. Northwest 104th Street, between 11th and 12th avenues, will be named “King Carter Street.”
“It’s hard for me to say, but he lived to a purpose,” said Santonio Carter, the boy’s father.
That purpose, Santonio said, is now to raise awareness about gun violence and the toll it has taken in the community. “Your values and matters, what you left behind,” he said. “What type of legacy? Does your [legacy] still live on after you die?”
Carter was killed in February 2016 after being caught in crossfire that occurred along the 1400 block of Northeast 103rd Street.
“From the day of this unfortunate tragedy, this community came together with law enforcement, everybody, all hands on deck,” said Miami-Dade Police Assistant Director Freddy Ramirez. “They rose in a fury. We brought those responsible to justice.”
But the work in King’s honor continues. “Today, we are standing firm together for children and saying we shall protect them. We shall save them,” said Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
“I hope that street will serve as a reminder of the little King’s dreams, however unrealized,” said Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime. “I’d like to thank the parents – Mr. Santonio and Mrs. Monica Carter – for their perseverance and keeping alive the memory of little King and for continuing to spread awareness about no violence in our neighborhood.”
Attendees at the ceremony also sang “Happy Birthday” to King, and they hope that every time someone sees the sign for the street named after him, they will think about the community’s responsibility to keep children safe.
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