Candlelight memorial honors victims of violent crimes

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — From New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Columbus and Bladen counties people are coming together to heal. The 21st Annual Candlelight Memorial to Honor Victims of Homicide was tonight at First Presbyterian.

“I’m attending the ceremony tonight because I lost my cousin Lacoltus Grady May 5th of this year,” said Dionya Grady.

For some like Grady, the pain is still fresh.

“He was run over and killed by a distracted driver in front of his home,” said Grady.

For others, time has helped to ease some of that pain. But no matter the circumstances, everyone in the church agrees, it’s important that we never forget the victims of these violent crimes in our communities.

“We never want to forget Lacoltus, we always want to remember him. We want his legacy to live on,” said Grady.

The legacies of so many loved ones lived on through song, prayer, and love creating a strong bond of community, always there to help.