This is an undated contributed photo of Tymel McKinney, 18, who was fatally shot on April 23, 2014 on the porch of his home at 801 Sixth St. on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s West Side.
The mother of a teen victim of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s gun violence will hold the Saturday in his memory.
This is an undated contributed photo of Tymel McKinney, 18, who was fatally shot on April 23, 2014 on the porch of his home at 801 Sixth St. on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s West Side.
Courtesy photo
From 5-8 p.m., city officials will close the street in front of Deanna McKinney’s former home at 801 Sixth St. where her only child, Tymel McKinney, 18, was fatally shot on April 23, 2014 while sitting on his front porch.
Deanna McKinney organized the block parties beginning in 2015 to remember her son, but also to advocate for gun violence prevention, addiction support and community outreach. Finding solutions for those issues also led McKinney to serve on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä City Council from 2018-2021.
“Instead of me wallowing in the loss of my only child,†McKinney said, “I just created this space for my way of healing and to bring awareness to the gun violence we have in the community.â€
Three people were convicted of murder and other charges in the killing.
Saturday’s free event will include food, kids games and a “Tree of Life†display where block party attendees can recognize loved ones who have died, no matter what the circumstances.
This is an undated contributed photo of former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä City Councilwoman Deanna McKinney.
Gazette-Mail file
McKinney’s nonprofit — The GIFT Project, which stands for God is for Togetherness — will accept donations for future community outreach projects and to support those in the community who are struggling with issues including poverty, violence and addiction. McKinney said her events are always free.
As she prepares for Saturday’s block party to remember her son, McKinney said it takes only small steps to make positive change with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s problems.
“A lot of this could be prevented by little things,†she said. “When you have a lot [of support] imagine what you can do.â€
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