On May 25, 2016, I spoke to my son and only child, Alex, at 11:43 a.m. on my lunch break from work. At 2:46 p.m., he and his best friend were shot and killed in an attempted robbery. I worked the entire day thinking my son was okay. I was notified at 10:38 p.m. that my 22-year-old son was never going to walk through our doors, dial my number, or kiss me on my cheek continuously in an attempt to aggravate me. Our life and the life of his family and friends will forever be changed. My husband and I spent our lives making sure he became the best young man he could be. He graduated from high school with awesome grades, he enlisted in the United States Army, and he became part of the airborne unit. He served overseas in Korea and gained his international wings by participating in jumps with the Korean Army. His smile illuminated a room and touched the lives of so many in 22 years. We are still going to court, but knowing the perpetrator is behind bars gives me peace, not closure.
Moms Demand Action and all the survivors of senseless gun violence have given me hope that change is possible.