HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford community came together Tuesday night for a vigil after a triple shooting in the city last week killed a mother and her four-month-old son, both from Springfield, Mass.
The family of Jessiah Mercado, 20, and her baby, Messiah Diaz, joined with the local group Mothers United Against Violence to mourn and lift each other up.
“It’s an evil spirit in Hartford, and this spirit has been running ramped in Hartford for years,” Reverend Henry Brown said.
Brown is no stranger to these vigils; he puts them on for families who have suffered unthinkable loss.
Mercado’s family, along with community members, called out what they believe is wrong with the city and why so many young people are dying and committing such violent acts.
"Young kids don’t have any guidance, and this is what happens,” someone at the vigil shouted.
Brown said the family is hurting and so many others are hurting by the loss of Jessiah.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested the suspect, 23-year-old Lance Morales, in Puerto Rico on Saturday.
While justice has been served, it won’t bring Jessiah or her baby boy, Messiah, back.
Brown and Mercado's family called on the Hartford community to do better and put the guns down so no more families have to experience this kind of pain.
Kaye Paddyfote is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kpaddyfote@fox61.com. Follow her on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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