AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) -
Two murders in the same community in recent weeks have neighbors and concerned citizens speaking out. A candlelight vigil was held at the River Glen Apartment Complex on East Boundary.
Several organizations and residents came together to remember the lives lost, and discuss ways to put an end to all the violence.
"He was 19, in fact today would've been his 20 birthday," says Nancy Stewart of her son James Gillette.
Gillette was shot in the stomach in 2011 by what investigators say was a stray bullet. One of the boy's friends told Stewart her son had been shot. She rushed to the hospital, but her son could not be saved.
"To say the least it was the worst night of my life," says the mom, holding back tears.
Stewart, who is part of the group "Save our Students" spoke at the complex about losing her son, and stopping the gunfire in Augusta.
24-year- old Doniel Hicks was murdered at River Glen on January 14 in the middle of the afternoon.
Then just three weeks later, 27- year- old Trumaine Jones, gunned down Sunday night.
"It just makes me angry that it's us killing us, and there's no reason for it," says Markeith Williams, a father who almost lost his son in November.
Williams' son, Julian was shot in November. He was rushed to the hospital, where his heart stopped, but doctors were able to save his life. The two of them came to the vigil together.
"He was in the hospital about a month and a half, he's lost some of his short term memory, but he's walking, he's living," says the worried father.
But, Williams, and the many people at the vigil know that not everyone is as lucky as Julian was.
"There's got to be a better way for us to live than living like this," says Williams.
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