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Abdul "Banngo" Cross

In honor of Abdul Cross

On July 4, 2017, at 7:00 a.m., I received a phone call that is known to be a mother’s worst nightmare! My son Abdul was 15 years old. He was shot by three different guns because three people thought he was someone else. All we wanted to do was celebrate Independence Day with family. Unfortunately we had to sit in a hospital for nine days as Abdul fought for his life. On July 12, 2017, Abdul couldn’t fight anymore. At 8:15 a.m., he passed away.

Abdul was known to be the hype man! Abdul was a star football player. He played lineman, fullback, punter, defensive end. Football was his passion. He was so full of life and was funny and lovable. He loved his friends and family, his teammates, his coaches. Abdul’s untimely death has truly been life-changing.

I cry at night wondering: What if those three men didn’t have those guns? How did they even get those types of guns? Why are those types of guns on the streets? Why were they so angry to shoot someone like that?

I will never know why; I will never see my son again. I just pray that I can help people change.

Reacting shows support for gun violence survivors.

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