HARTFORD, Conn. — Mothers United Against Violence held a vigil Saturday afternoon for 23-year-old Shamyria Williams, who was shot and killed on Cleveland Avenue early Friday morning.
Hartford police say they were called to the scene just before 1 a.m. Friday on reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found two victims in two separate cars. Williams was unresponsive and was rushed to a local hospital where she later died. The other victim, a male in his 20s, was also taken to a hospital and is still recovering from his injuries.
Hartford police believe the two were caught in the crossfire when two groups of people began shooting at each other following a Fourth of July party.
Saturday, dozens of friends and family flooded Cleveland Avenue in pink and white to honor Williams known to her friends as "My-My".
Shamyria’s mom says hours earlier they spent time as a family enjoying a cookout. She describes the last interaction she had with her daughter.
“She was about to leave out the door, and normally I check on my baby like… 'My, where you going?!' said Lacriesha Williams, Shamyria’s mother. “I didn't say that at the time. I looked when I saw her come out of her room. I said ‘That you my-my? She’s like, “Yes, Ma” and she walked out the door. I didn’t question her because she’s responsible," said Lacriesha Williams.
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Her parents say she loved to travel and was hardworking with a kind heart, as she worked with people with disabilities in Wethersfield.
“I would barely even see my daughter because she was pulling so many double shifts, just to work with them,” said Lacriesha Williams.
Williams' father says his daughter was excited to show him her new car and was planning a trip with him overseas.
“I was about to take her to Africa to see my father, the king. Now look at this… It’s sad… They killed my princess,” Kennedy Asare, Shamyria’s father, said.
Lacriesha Williams says this is too much loss and is considering leaving Hartford, as her brother was killed by gun violence in the city years ago. She wants the violence in the Capitol City to stop.
“Put the guns down stop the violence, stop it. Y’all took my baby, y’all took my brother… That’s it,” said Lacriesha Williams.
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The family wants anyone with information to come forward, saying it’s not snitching but rather doing the right thing.
Lacriesha Williams also urges the gunmen to come forward and take accountability for their actions. She told FOX61 she has this message for those responsible.
“When you get behind the prison walls, oh, it ain't gonna be so pretty, but when you get that last day of judgment, when God comes back for you... It's not gonna be so pretty,” she said, adding, "Justice will be served, so you ain't gonna be hiding.”
Hartford police say they are looking at several people of interest in this case, but so far no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hartford Police by calling the HPD Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
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Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jgarcia@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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