Post by Scumhunter on Aug 27, 2017 4:01:40 GMT -5
(Above: Monique Smith and children photo credit: Nola.com)
From nola.com:
Five-year-old Nicholas Macklin stood next to his mother in the chilly drizzle Monday evening (March 13) staring at the Gentilly home of his classmate, Jumyrin Smith, 6, and innocently asked to go in and play. Nekita Pye, 35, told her son that's just not possible.
"Why?" he asked, before Pye reminded her son -- not for the first time -- that Jumyrin was not there. He had gone to heaven, her way of gently explaining that Jumyrin, 6, his brother, Justin Simms, 10, and their mother, Monique Smith, 30, had been shot and killed in the Touro Street home early Friday morning.
"He's not understanding the concept of (Jumyrin) being in heaven and not returning to school the next day," Pye said.
Nicholas isn't alone. No one seems to be able to comprehend the violence, the cruelty that led to deaths of Monique Smith and her sons. Also wounded was Smith's daughter, A'Miya, 12, who remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to her grandmother, Debra Smith.
Nicholas, Pye and several dozen classmates, teachers, relatives and friends gathered in front of the Smith's home Monday for a prayer vigil organized by Rev. Jamaal Weathersby of New Hope Baptist Church.
"It hit so close to home, it was important for us to show support for the family in a very visible way," said Westhersby.
Cold-hearted killer
New Orleans police called to Monique Smith's home just after 4:15 a.m. Friday found A'Miya wounded inside and rushed her to University Medical Center. She had been shot in the face, according to her grandmother. Officers searched the house and found the bodies of Smith and her two young sons, all fatally shot.
Police have not identified a suspect or a motive in the case. Relatives have no idea who could or would have wanted to harm the family.
"I really don't know. I don't have a clue," Debra Smith said. "I was told that two men ran from this yard. Somebody saw that."
It's difficult enough to kill an adult, she said. But Debra Smith could not fathom how someone could find it in themselves to murder children.
"That's a cold-hearted killer," she said.
A'Miya is not able to talk because of her injuries, according to her grandmother. Relatives aren't sure if she knows her mother is dead.
"I can't tell her." Debra Smith said. "I don't know how to fix my mouth to tell her she's dead."
Monique Smith would have turned 31 on March 21.
"She was a very bright, very happy young woman," Debra Smith said. "She loved her children. She took great care of them. She worked hard to take care of them."
The boys were spunky, friendly kids, cousin Chrisey Smith said. They loved sports, video games and art. Justin played football at a local park.
Jumyrin was a bit shy, according to the boys' sister Diamond Armwood, 15, who did not live at the Touro Street home. But Jumyrin could often be found following right behind his big brother.
"He loved anything his brother loved," she said. "They never got a chance to live... there were so many things they could have done."
Classmates ask questions
Armwood, who is a member of New Hope Baptist Church, felt encouraged by the turnout at the vigil Monday night.
"It makes me feel supported through all of this," she said. "I feel like I'm not alone."
Students and teachers from Samuel J. Green Charter School where the siblings attended school were among the crowd. Ayron Beavers, 10, dressed in his uniform, used the sleeve of his gray hooded sweatshirt to wipe away tears as he spoke of Justin, his friend since third grade.
"He was very quiet and nice, a good friend," Beavers said of Justin, an honor roll student.
A'Miya's classmate Jermane Bernard, 14, called her a hero because she helped him with his work back when the two were in kindergarten, a favor he never forgot. Bernard's mother, Aria Bernard, 34, said Smith's children were very friendly and respectable.
Samuel Green kindergarten teacher Cheryl Treaudo taught all three of Monique Smith's children. Justin liked reading but loved math.
"He gave a lot of hugs. He was extremely quiet and well-mannered," she said.
Jumyrin was a bit chattier but just as sweet. He, too, loved reading and was on a first-grade level, always offering to help other students if they had trouble with the lessons.
"He loved asking for special treats. He always got one not because he asked for it, because he deserved it," Treaudo said. "They were just wonderful kids. That's what bothers me about this incident."
The children's classmates have been asking questions about their deaths: What happened to Justin and Jumyrin? Why did someone shoot them? Why did they have to die?
Social workers and psychologists were on hand Monday to help teachers field the tough questions. They spoke with the students about death using child-friendly language and a coloring book to help them process the loss.
The students expressed sadness and fear, Treaudo said.
Chrisey Smith had to soothe her son's sorrows and fears Monday evening as he wept in her arms on the sidewalk next to his cousins' house. Adults can try to explain this kind of violence to children and direct them on the right path, hoping that they will never experience it directly.
"At the end of the day, they still have to face tragic loss like this, and they don't understand it," she said.
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A fund has been established to help cover funeral expenses for Monique Smith and her sons. Those who wish to donate can give to the Monique Smith Memorial Fund at any Capital One bank branch
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Anyone with information about the shooting death of Monique Smith, Justin Simms and Jumyrin Smith is asked to contact call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111 or toll-free at 877.903.7867. Tips can be texted to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637); text TELLCS then the crime information. Callers or texters do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an indictment.
www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/03/at_gentilly_triple_murder_vigi.html
www.crimestoppersgno.org/cases/open-cases (scroll down to find case)
Thoughts? For those who didn't know, Gentilly is the name of the New Orleans neighborhood where this unspeakable tragedy occurred.
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