JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — From police officers to grieving mothers and fathers — community members gathered in Downtown Jacksonville to honor the national day of healing for victims of gun violence.
During an event hosted by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice on Saturday, people were asked to come together to mark the end of National Victims' Rights Week by recognizing loved ones lost to gun violence.
“I was shot thirteen times and left for dead,” said Feletta Smith, the creator of the local group Beyond the Bullets.
It was 2004 when Smith was shot during a double homicide that left a man and a teenager dead.
That day changed Smith's life forever. It was also the day she met officer Shawn Coarsey, who is now the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's undersheriff.
“She was that close to being a third victim,” Coarsey mentioned.
“Yeah, I played dead,” Smith added.
Although Smith was able to escape the crime scene alive, the gunshot wounds have turned into mental scars. She is still struggling with PTSD 20 years later.
“For a person who really knows what they're going through, it just takes me back,” said Smith.
To help Smith cope with her trauma, she started the group Beyond the Bullets. The group not only cultivates a safe place for victims of gun violence but encourages them to take action.
“Because I was hurt. I hurt. And that hurt and that pain goes deep,” said Beverly McClain, with the Jacksonville nonprofit Families of Slain Children.
McClain said she opened up to Smith after losing her son to gun violence
“I don't wish it on no one, I wish no one had to go through this,” said McClain.
But, survivors like Smith and McClain don't have to go through this alone.
Their support group is keeping their loved ones' memories alive while learning how to live with their own traumas.
Attendees held up candles to represent loved ones lost to gun violence. Healing together, and seeing the light from every candle burning in unison.