HARTFORD, Conn. — Families who lost loved ones to gun violence gathered in Hartford Wednesday for the second annual commemoration of Survivors of Homicide Day.
It is intended to respect, honor and show comfort for those who had someone in their family murdered.
“There's very few people who will understand you better than anyone else,” Audrey Carlson said. “Survivors of Homicide are the folks that basically walked us through the criminal justice system, held our hand, let us know we would never be alone. And continue to be. They’re the people that we need pretty much for always.”
The group recommended legislation as they work to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As many get ready to celebrate the holidays, empty seats at the dinner table remind others of what they live without.
“Holidays in the winter are very hard for these folks and it's up to us to support them as they need help to recover from this loss,” State Rep. Mary Mushinski said.
Their family members are victims of gun violence. Now, they stand in their place as survivors.
“Our daughter Elizabeth Carlson was murdered in 2002,” Audrey Carlson said. “We are members of the club that nobody wants to belong to."
Mothers, grandmothers, and sisters gathered in Hartford to mark the somber day, in what is their latest promise to never forget.
“I thought I understood what it was like I thought I understood the pain only because I dealt with families on a regular basis who were experiencing that pain,” Bertram Ettienne, New Haven assistant police chief, said. “I was sadly mistaken. I was sadly mistaken.”
Ettienne worked as a detective prior to his current role, but on this day, he’s here as a brother, or as he puts it, a “broken brother.”
“I had no clue what it was like to wake up one day and your loved one is just not there,” he said. “But on Oct. 7, 2010, that changed. That day is when I understood what it what it meant to be a survivor.”
Ettienne is now using his platform to send a message to legislators: to continue the fight for justice and support for families, forced to live with permanent holes in their hearts.
“When you're making decisions about criminal justice reform and when you're making decisions about funding that support groups such as this, understand that our victims, our loved ones, don't have a voice, don't have a second chance. We are their voice,” Ettienne said.
Some of the families at the ceremony spoke about their loved ones' cases still not being solved. Ettienne promised to do everything he can in New Haven to deliver them closure as some have been waiting several years for just that.
Bridgette Bjorlo is an anchor/reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at bbjorlo@fox61.com. Follow her onFacebook, X and Instagram.
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