It’s unfathomable how quickly joy can turn to heartbreak. Just hours ago, we were all together—laughing, hugging, dancing, and celebrating a beautiful family reunion. It was a moment meant to create lifelong memories, to honor our bonds, and to remind each other of the strength in our roots. But the celebration came to a devastating end. The rhythm of music and laughter was replaced by the piercing sound of sirens, the cries of anguish, and the unimaginable news that Erion Turner, our beloved 16-year-old cousin, was gone—senselessly taken by gun violence.
There are no words that can fully capture the shock and grief of losing someone so young, so vibrant, and so full of promise. One moment he was with us, smiling, full of life—the next, he was stolen from our arms, his future erased in an instant. Erion had dreams. He had potential. He had a life ahead of him, rich with possibilities that will now never come to pass.
A Life That Deserved More
Erion wasn’t just a name or a statistic—he was a son, a cousin, a friend, a teammate, a classmate. He loved music and basketball, could make anyone laugh with a look or a joke, and had a protective heart when it came to his family and friends. At just 16, he was already shaping into the kind of young man that any community would be proud to claim—thoughtful, loyal, and determined.
His presence lit up any room he walked into. He was respectful, funny, and had that special spark that made people gravitate toward him. He had plans. He talked about college. He dreamed of buying his mom a house. He was working hard in school, and despite life’s challenges, he kept his head up. Erion deserved the chance to grow up. He deserved birthdays, graduations, love, fatherhood, a career, and a life beyond the age of 16.
The Toll of Gun Violence
We are shattered not only by this personal loss, but by the broader reality it reflects: our children are not safe. In neighborhoods across the country, gun violence is robbing families of their future, one child at a time. The pain we’re feeling right now is not unique—but it should be. It shouldn’t be this common. It shouldn’t be something anyone has to prepare for or accept.
We are tired of planning funerals for teenagers. We are tired of praying over empty chairs at family dinners. We are tired of lighting candles where our children should be living, growing, and laughing.
Erion’s death is not just a family tragedy—it is a community crisis, and a call to action. We cannot let another young life be lost without confronting the systems and situations that make such violence possible. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need action. We need change.
A Call for Justice and Accountability
We demand justice for Erion—not just in the form of an arrest, but in the form of meaningful, structural change. Our children deserve schools that are safe, neighborhoods that are protected, and opportunities that keep them uplifted and away from harm.
It’s not enough to weep. It’s not enough to post tributes. If we truly love our children, if we truly care about their futures, we must rise up in defense of their right to live.
We call on our leaders—local, state, and national—to do more. To pass effective gun reform. To invest in communities. To address the root causes of violence—poverty, trauma, systemic neglect. To listen to families like ours, who are tired of burying children and living with unanswered questions and broken hearts.
Honoring Erion’s Legacy
As we gather in the coming days to mourn, we will also celebrate the life Erion lived. We will remember his bright smile, his sharp wit, his kindness, and the joy he brought into our lives. We will hold each other tighter. We will speak his name so that it is never forgotten.
In his memory, we will work harder to protect others like him. We will raise our voices. We will demand better—for our communities, for our children, for the future.
To Erion: We love you. We miss you. You should still be here. You were taken far too soon, but we promise that your name will live on in our hearts, our actions, and our determination to make sure this never happens again.
