'Not another child': Durham mom mourns loss of sons as city leaders pay respects to people killed by gun violence in 2022
Sherry Williams knows the heartbreak of losing a child to gun violence. It’s happened to the Durham mother twice.
“I just lost my youngest son [on] May 26th of this year,” Williams said. “My oldest son was murdered back in 2007, and so, 15 years later, my youngest son was lost to gun violence.
On May 26, Durham police found Jabari Williams shot in his crashed car. He was 21. His older brother, JaQuienton Sellers, was murdered in 2007.
Sherry Williams started the support group "Mothers of Murdered Kids" after her oldest son was killed in 2007. His case remains unsolved.
“It was rough,” Williams said of her late sons.
On a recent night, Williams heard gunshots in her neighborhood and it took police a long time to respond. She told WRAL News what goes through her mind when she hears gunshots.
“Not another another child,” Williams said.
Williams questioned how lawmakers are going to get illegal guns off the street.
“Until they get these guns off the street, we are going to keep going through this,” Williams said. “You guys are going to keep covering this same story, but with a different mother.”
Williams also has a wish.
“I would love to turn the TV on and watch the news and not hear about it,” she said. “That would be wonderful.”
Durham leaders pay respects to people who died due to gun violence in 2022
Durham leaders took part in a nationwide initiative on Friday by commemorating the lives of the victims lost this year and to demand an end to gun-related violence.
Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal, the Durham City Council and Mayors Against Illegal Guns participated in the Inaugural Day of Remembrance for Gun-Related Homicide Victims at the CCB Plaza.
“Gun violence is a serious threat to public safety and it affects communities across this great nation,” O’Neal said.
In 2022, there were 44 people killed in Durham due to gun violence. Here’s how it compares to previous years, according to data provided by the city of Durham (Year: number of homicides):
- 2019: 38
- 2020: 37
- 2021: 48
For the same time period, Raleigh has had 46 homicides and Fayetteville has had 44 homicides, according to data provided by the cities.
“It is important that we continue fighting for gun safety laws while also implementing gun violence prevention strategies,” O’Neal said. “I recognize problems may look different from city to city.”
From Jan. 1 - Dec. 10 each year, here are the number of people shot in Durham (Year: Number of people shot):
- 2019: 426
- 2020: 508
- 2021: 469
- 2022: 355
On Friday, leaders had a single balloon to commemorate the lives of the victims. Leaders also read aloud each person’s name.
“Today, in memory and in celebration of these lives and in honor of the families that remain, we stand in the heart of our city and call each and every name in this place,” said Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton.
Several other cities throughout the country are participating in the initiative, including Atlanta; Baltimore; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Jacksonville, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Minneapolis; Mount Vernon, New York; New York City; Newark, New Jersey and Philadelphia.
