Families push for answers in their loved ones’ unsolved homicides

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Local families are pushing for answers in the murders of their loved ones. Several different families gathered at the Legends Center in Northwest Jacksonville to remember their loved ones and bring attention to their unsolved murders.

“Shawnell left home, going to visit somebody that stayed right behind us and never returned home,” Lashan Mahone said.

Mahone was at the event remembering her son Shawnell.

“She’s been gone for 7 years. No one knows how I feel but it hurts real bad,” Mary Edwards said.

Action News Jax first told you when Edwards’ daughter Sherika Edwards was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in 2015.

It’s the same story for each family Saturday night. They lost a loved one to gun violence, yet each victim’s murderer still walks free.

“Let’s get justice for our kids, our wives, our husbands, our family members. It’s time to put the guns down. Enough is enough. If you know something, say something,” Janice Fields said.

Janice Fields and several other family members of Rashaud Fields showed out in part of the rally to bring attention to unsolved homicides in the community.

Her son– along with many others– lost his life to gun violence too soon.

Lawanda Taylor lost her son Errin Brooks eight years ago.

Action News Jax first told you when the 17-year-old was found dead in a Northside backyard.

“We as a community have to do our job to help the police,” Taylor said.

“Everybody (feels) everybody’s pain no matter if it’s 8 years ago, 3 years ago, a month ago, everybody is still feeling everybody’s pain,” Kendrick Haynes said.

Haynes’ older sister Tayda Smith was murdered on May 1.

Each family proudly wore their son’s, brother’s, daughter’s, sister’s, and friend’s faces on their shirts. They all promise to never forget them and honor them every day.

“We all lost someone we loved. and it hurts dearly and it’s a daily process that we have to deal with,” Pamela Tyson said.

Tyson’s son Gregory Dubose was killed in a hit-and-run in 2017.

They all have the same goal: push for justice and push for peace.

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