My name is Sheila Burton, and I am sharing my story in memory of my son Rashad Williams, who was taken by gun violence on December 7, 2005. My life was threatened by gun violence on November 27, 2019.
On December 7, 2005, my son was murdered by a man with an illegal handgun. He was only 21 years old. My son was shot two times in the back on a public street. To this day they still have not tried this man for killing my son, and law enforcement knows who this man is. This past Thanksgiving, I was working as an inspector in San Francisco, when a young man walked up to my city vehicle and threatened to take my life by using a handgun. Needless to say, this incident left me so traumatized. The only way I feel I can handle these situations that I have endured in my life is to have stronger gun laws, stronger enforcement and stronger advocacy. That way no other mother or person would have to endure what I am experiencing to this day.