I am Nate’s mom, Roberta Gory-Mckelvin, from Columbia, South Carolina, by way of Spartanburg, South Carolina. My only son, 21-year-old Nathaniel Mckelvin III. Nate was unarmed when he was shot and killed on November 15, 2013, in Columbia, South Carolina, while sitting on a best friend’s porch. Two of his friends were shot and survived. A Friday night I’ll never forget.
My heart is broken. I am up and down, happy and sad; it’s like a rollercoaster. It took two years to make an arrest. No one would talk, no snitching. After five years of meetings and fighting for Nate’s justice, a plea deal. (Shaking my head.) I / we, Nate’s family friends and community, wanted a life sentence without parole.
Nate was smart, kind, humble, helpful and a hard worker. He played football in high school. Never talked back to me, a Momma’s boy, so respectful. Laid-back kind of guy. Cool baby cool, the biggest smile that would light up a room. Nate had just gotten his commercial driver’s license on November 7, 2013. Suitcase was packed in his room at the door, ready to go pick his truck up.
On Sunday, November 17, 2013, he was shot, and he died on Friday, November 15, 2013.
I am Nate’s voice. I became involved in efforts to stop gun violence: gun violence prevention. We all have to get involved. I am speaking out to help prevent gun violence. To save lives and make our communities safer. Senseless gun violence has to stop: It’s too much, it hurts. We need common-sense gun laws. I have turned my pain into power. I Honor Nate with action: I host a food drive in memory and honor of Nate; Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America, survivor community outreach leader; I volunteer with Everytown for Gun Safety Survivor Network.
Little changes can make a big difference. Together we are strong. Please join us and text HONOR to 644-33.