ABBEVILLE, La. — Mothers in Abbeville know the pain of losing a child to gun violence too well.
In September of 2020, Lenora Johnson lost her son Eric; a few months after, she’s reliving that pain. This month, she lost another son, Brandon, to gun violence.
She’s now looking for justice and answers.
“I want justice to be served,” said Johnson. “This is my second child in less than five months that has brutally gotten murdered.”
The community is now coming together to help her pay for her son’s funeral. At the same time, she’s asking people in Abbeville to speak up about crimes.
“People can see things and won't open their mouths, they won’t talk,” said Johnson. That’s what I don’t understand.”
Carolyn Boudreaux and Nadea Comeaux experienced the same pain in 1999 when they lost a son and twin brother to gun violence. 20 years later, they say safety in Abbeville has gotten worse.
“For the last three years, it’s been horrible,” said Boudreaux.
Comeaux, who lost her twin brother, says it’s a pattern on their streets.
“I’m tired of listening to gunshots all night and all day,” said Comeaux.
Starting in 2014, Boudreaux has organized vigils outside her home to honor those murdered in Abbeville.
“It is something that God put in my heart to do to try to bring awareness to our town for all the children we’ve lost to gun violence,” she said.
Now, they’re hoping to help another woman during these tough times.
“Ms. Lenora has lost two sons in the last five months, and she can not afford to bury another one,” said Comeaux.
They have set up a GoFundMe account to help with the funeral expenses.
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