News of the arrest of one man in the Monday night murder of Keyuon Garner, a Weldon 15-year-old, was met with only mild relief and concern about finding the suspect in the Tuesday morning murder of 2-year-old Dy'Uanna Anderson before a march in their honor began this evening.
“It's just hard to believe,” said Alicia Turner in the parking lot of Three Flags store at the intersection of Eleventh and Maple streets. “They're all family. It's heartbreaking and sad.”
(The Weldon Police Department will hold a news conference Friday at noon at town hall to garner more information on the case. Additional photos of the march may be found on our Facebook page)
News of Samaj Clanton's arrest today in Garner's murder did little to comfort Turner. “Not really. Who's to say that's the right person.”
Levita Webb, who planned the march, said she was grateful for the turnout, which Weldon police Chief Mark Macon estimated to be between 300 to 350 people. “I'm so thankful for the turnout. We're giving God the praise.”
Webb led the marchers down Cedar Street, where Anderson was killed Tuesday morning in the 600 block, and then on to Washington Avenue where the town hall is located.
Many carried posters honoring the victims. One simply had a poster with a hashtag followed by the internet stylized words Pray4Weldon.
At the apartments at Washington Avenue nearest town hall, Freda Anderson, who is not related to the victim, waited for the procession. “I'm a grandmother of three. To me it's sad. It's discouraging to have kids go through something like this.”
For Freda Anderson, news of Clanton's arrest was positive. “It gives me hope that they have at least one person. I want to see them all arrested.”
A member of the nearby Church of Deliverance, Freda Anderson said the members try to minister to the children. “We give them outreach to change them and let them know they can be successful without guns and knives. For me it saddens my heart that two young people were hurt and will never know what they could have done in their lifetime.”
Kenneth Ponton, a Vietnam veteran and South Weldon native, also waited with Freda Anderson and her family.
He grew up on Maple Street and returned to Weldon 10 years ago after a long career as a truck driver. The neighborhood was different, the 69-year-old said, people looking out for each other.
To him it seemed to change in the 1970s. “We need something for the young people. There's nothing for them to do. It seems like all the 14 and 15-year-olds are into gang activity. To me, it's a hurting feeling that a young kid will never get to enjoy life. It's crazy.”
Macon said following the march that his department is trying to determine whether there are links to Clanton's involvement in the Dy'Uanna Anderson murder. Police believe the crimes may be related, but it may be in only the crimes and not the individuals, he said.
Macon said Dy'Uanna's grandmother Christine, who was also shot, is now in stable condition.
Trevon “Tre Boogie” Patterson, a local radio personality was moved by the show of people. “It's an unfortunate tragedy and I'm glad the community came together to make an effort to increase the peace and stop the violence.”
