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What
would make a young man (21 years old) shoot a young mother (18 years old) in the
back of the head as she reached down for her baby, presumably to leave? That is
the question that my family has been asking as we mourn the death of my niece,
Erykah Manora. While we will never know the answer, we do know that we want to
use Erykah’s story to shine a light on domestic violence. And, while we had
hoped Erykah would survive to share her own story, I am sharing it with you
today through her mother’s words in this news article and live interview
below. By doing so, I hope that it will help someone walk away from their abuser
before it is too late, as Erykah tried to do. This tragedy tells us that
domestic violence can start at a very young age, even in high school
relationships. As adults, we must look for the signs in our young people and our
young people must heed the advice of those around you who can see things that
you don’t yet see. My family and I thank you all for the out pouring of support
and ask that you share Erykah’s story as we close out October and Domestic
Violence Awareness Month.
The
printed article is set out here and the link to the live interview
follows:
Montgomery
mother speaks out after losing daughter to gun violence
By Rosanna Smith
Published: Oct.
21, 2022 at 4:55 PM EDT
MONTGOMERY, Ala.
(WSFA) - A heartbroken mother is speaking out after the murder of her
daughter. “She would be upset with me right now for crying,” said Tammy Jones.
“I’m strong because she kept me strong. She always made me smile. I just want
people to remember her as being a beautiful soul. She was happy and loving and
she never met a stranger.”
18-year-old Erykah
Manora graduated from Lee High School in May and was enjoying life as a new mom
to twins.
“They’re just like
their mom. Personality and everything,” Jones added. Jones said it was on August
31 when their whole world was turned upside down. She still remembers getting
the call that Erykah had been rushed to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the
head.
“She fought the
entire time,” said Jones. “At first, I was told she was going to live 48 hours.
They told me that eventually her brain would die. The first five days, she got
stronger and stronger and everything that they said turned out not to be true.
She proved them wrong.”
Erykah remained in
the hospital for six weeks until she passed way. Jones said while she doesn’t
know all the details of the shooting, she does know the suspect charged was her daughter’s
boyfriend of three months.
She offers this
message to young people:
“Listen to your
parents. I warned Erica, I warned her. Your parents know judgment of character.
They know some people who are good for you to be around and some of the people
who are not,” said Jones. “I hate I have to bury my child. There are so many
other teenagers that I loved as well, and I have attended their funerals due to
gun violence. I’m just sick it.”
A GoFundMe has been set up
for the 10-month-old twins Manora leaves behind. All donations collected will go
toward a trust fund for the children. Her funeral will be held Saturday at noon
at Fresh Anointing House of Worship in Montgomery.
The Montgomery
Police Department has charged 21-year-old Keondre Haynes with capital murder. He
remains in the Montgomery County Detention Facility without bond.
To
view the live interview, click on the following link and click the link in the
middle of the photo:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.wsfa.com/2022/10/21/montgomery-mother-speaks-out-after-losing-daughter-gun-violence/__;!!E4HZMw!FR0cDKI55zh86HVe2YLhyIzw1YBa-Q6PFmgcpfYgpp9kylnDLwZOimrdenYGahNjiyG5H4B97jOYGVuqMVolhT_afg$
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