Christopher Lynn McBath my second oldest son and my second son that was murdered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Chris was gunned down September 15, 2009, while sitting on his neighbor’s porch waiting for his son to come home.
Christopher was a father of four children. What happened was unfair to Chris, to me, and to his children. His children were very young when he was killed and now the always ask about him.
He was a smart Jeopardy player. Everyone always said he was my twin because he had dimples like his mother. He also had two moles on his face – I used to say “beauty marks – one for inside and one for outside.” All I have left of my son now are memories.
As a parent, you never think of losing a child and having a child taken by senseless violence. My first son, Djuansay Dee Freeman, was stabbed on October 13, 2007. I knew after the death of my second son, I had to do something.
I couldn’t save my sons’ lives, nor did I want another child to be murdered or mother to have to endure the pain. I will always say my purpose in life now is keeping his memory alive. I became a volunteer and a voice for the voiceless with Moms Demand Action, and an Everytown Survivor, so that one might live. They’ve been such a support to me – given Chris a voice, through his mother.
Please help us to reduce gun violence! It hurts the whole family and village.