MIAMI (WSVN) - Family and friends gathered for a somber anniversary to remember a young girl who lost her life to gun violence.
It’s been 10 years since Sherdavia Jenkins was killed, but loved ones said her life was cut too short.
They gathered in a park in Liberty City that was named after that young girl, Friday, at 2:46 p.m., to release balloons in her honor at the same time her life was taken. “Sherdavia Jenkins, age 9, died at 2:46 p.m. on the afternoon of July 1, 2006,” said a man during the service.
The 9-year-old died outside of her Liberty Square home playing when a stray bullet hit her neck as men traded gunshots.
Those who gathered at the park reflected on the little girl’s life. Her grandmother said that if Jenkins was alive today, she would be completing her junior year of college.
Sherdavia’s family said the neighborhood is still plagued with the violence today that killed Jenkins. “We need to stop this,” said David Jenkins. “So this is why we need family more than anything right now. We need family more than all.”
“Now I come here celebrating 10 years of her death,” said a loved one. “Very emotional.”
Santonio Carter, whose son, 6-year-old King Carter, was shot and killed outside his Northwest Miami-Dade back in March, also said a few words about loss. “Be here for these other kids,” he said. “Save our kings and save our queens.”
Children throughout in Miami-Dade County have lost their lives to gun violence, totaling 108 since Jenkins’ death.
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