On the morning before Mother’s Day, Sariahh Snow’s small, lifeless body was one of eight children lined in open white caskets along the front of a church hall in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The children, now remembered as the “Eternal 8,” were killed in a mass shooting on April 19.
Read Also: Lawmakers harassments costs taxpayers over 550000
Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Mar’Kaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5, were the victims of the shooting.
According to Congressman Cleo Fields, this tragedy is not just a local issue, but a national one, saying “This is not a Shreveport mourning, this is a nation mourning.”
The funeral service was attended by hundreds of people, including friends, family, and strangers who came to pay their respects to the children.
A woman who attended the service was overheard saying that she had to see the children one last time, and that it was a tragedy that sends chills racing down your spine and leaves a lump in your throat.
Remembering the Children
Inside the funeral pamphlet, each of the children was remembered for their unique personalities and interests.
Kayla Pugh was described as “K-Mae,” a sweetheart with a big smile who loved going to school and playing with her siblings and cousins.
Sariahh Snow was described as “sunshine,” a creative, smart, and loving girl.
The other children were also remembered for their loving and cheerful personalities, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew them.
As people clung tightly to one another, wiping away each other’s tears, the tragedy of the situation was palpable.
A Community in Mourning
The Saturday funeral service was carried by the reverberating melody of gospel music, sending prayer hands into the air and tears spilling from the eyes of loved ones and strangers alike.
Pastor Al George prayed for the two schools the children had attended, saying “Lord, we ask right now a special prayer for Summer Grove School and Lynnwood Public Charter School.”
The service was a testament to the impact the children had on their community, and the devastating loss that their families and friends are now facing.
A young boy, Micheal Thomas, who attended the service, said that he was scared of funerals, but he wanted to honor the children and their families.
He said that he wishes he could have known the children, and that they would have been friends, playing basketball and football together.
The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is now a makeshift memorial, with eight balloons swaying weakly in the wind and eight crosses staked into the damp ground.
A Call to Action
Kelvin Gadson, the founder of Giving a Child a Dream Foundation, attended the service and brought two costumes, Minnie and Mickey Mouse, to help distract the children from the tragedy.
He said that his mission is to prevent gun violence, and that this tragedy is a stark reminder of the need for action.
Gadson said, “They come out scared, but I’m really here because this violence has to stop, it’s killing our children, our precious babies.”
The shooting has left a permanent stain on the neighborhood, and the community is still trying to come to terms with the loss of the eight children.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community is left to pick up the pieces and try to heal from this devastating tragedy.
The three mothers, Christina Snow, Shaneiqua Pugh, and Keosha Pugh, are still trying to come to terms with the loss of their children, and the visible weight of trauma is evident in their actions and words.
As one of the mothers, Keosha Pugh, walked into the funeral leaning on a cane, it was a painful reminder of the injuries she suffered while fleeing the gunfire.
Leave a Reply