270,138
total hearts received for Moments That Survive

Derrick Horton (my middle son)

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, I received the worst news a mother could receive. I got a phone call from my oldest son at 6:00 a.m.: Something had happened to Derrick, and I needed to come home now. I was in North Carolina, visiting his oldest son for his birthday, which was on the 22nd of July.

It took me three hours to get home. When I reached Virginia, I found out that my son was killed by gun violence, left in his car on the side of the road, parked in front of the home of someone we didn’t know. I still can’t believe he is gone, and still, almost two years later, his murder has gone unsolved.

This pain is so heartbreaking. I had to bury my son, when my children are supposed to bury me first. This was the hardest thing I had to do. They killed my baby at the age of 29. He also has three sons.

I miss my son so bad that I would give my last breath to see him again. We have to let these people know to put the guns down.

Reacting shows support for gun violence survivors.

270,138