268,563
total hearts received for Moments That Survive

Kijuan Byrd Sr.

In Miami, on June 1, 2012, Kijuan and his friend Michael were at Club Lexx, watching the Miami Heat Championship Game. During halftime, they went outside to Michael’s pick-up truck, which was parked in the parking lot. While they were sitting in the truck, a white security guard that had just reported for duty opened fire on the vehicle.

Both Michael and KiJuan were struck, but this individual walked around the truck, continuing to fire, and around the truck to the passenger side and shot my son 11 times while Kijuan was on his stomach, crawling underneath the truck for safety. Four bullets were enlarged in my child’s back.

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the funeral services, I took my last glimpse of my child in the casket, and I promised my son two things. One, I will receive justice for his death, and two, I will make some changes in the laws, local and nationally, in order to prevent this from happening to other people.

Kijuan had so much to contribute to his family and friends, but due to a senseless act of violence, his life was taken away from him.

Reacting shows support for gun violence survivors.

268,563