A parent’s biggest dread is to see their kid die. When kids are ill or injured, their parents go out of their way to make them feel at ease. Even the notion of their kid teetering on the brink of death sends shivers down their spine.
The parents in today’s tale felt the same way. They had never envisioned their baby lying gasping in a million years. They were startled to learn that their five-year-old son had died so young.
LaVonte’e Williams of Smyrna, Tennessee, was the focus of his family. His parents were pleased with their well-mannered son, who enjoyed distributing smiles. His grandma never missed an opportunity to tell others how much she adored him.
On August 14, 2022, LaVonte’e went to church with his family, like he does every Sunday. The 5-year-old, on the other hand, was eager to be baptized at Heaven’s View Baptist Church this time. Belita McMurry-Fite, the Bishop, recalled that and when it came time for him to get baptized, he was OK, but the water was a little bit chilly, and it sort of got to him, so he teared up a little bit, but he got alright.
Everyone who saw LaVonte’e knew he enjoyed making others happy. He was often giving hugs to everybody around him and enjoyed communicating with them. He had no idea he was going to the church for the last time in his life.
LaVonte’e went to Lee Victory Park the next day, unknowing that he would never come home. Gunshots and screaming were reported near the park’s basketball court about 7 p.m. on August 15, 2022.
When paramedics came, they discovered a wounded LaVonte’e on the ground. They rushed him to Stonecrest Medical Center as the authorities investigated the reason for the unexpected gunshot.
However, LaVonte’e’s mother informed his grandma Tanika Jones of the shooting event. With tears streaming down her face, she urged Jones to take her to the hospital, where she was unable to comprehend what was going on. Jones recalled: ‘ What do you mean shot?’ she inquired. Stonecrest? What is going on? What are our options? ‘How are we going to cope with this?’
The physicians soon indicated that LaVonte’e would not live. His family was shocked to learn that the youngster who had been cheerful the day before had abandoned them. They had no idea who had shot their tiny bundle of joy.
After checking the scene and reviewing the proof, detectives decided that LaVonte’e discovered a pistol in his dad’s rucksack and assumed his death was an accident. However, Jones requested that no assumptions be made. “Being a lady of faith, she just started praying to herself that whatever God chose, she was going to believe him, she explained.
Smyrna’s spokesperson, Jim Garbee, said that the probe was still ongoing. He also apologized to the family for their irreparable loss.
L5yo LaVonte’e Williams was killed by his father’s unsecured gun from a backpack at a basketball court at Smyrna Park in Tennessee. It’s time for gun owners to be more vigilant about safely securing their guns when kids are around to #KeepKidsSafe. https://t.co/aDWG9UbW3s pic.twitter.com/5AVu1GBBGP
— Newtown Action Alliance (@NewtownAction) August 18, 2022
LaVonte’e’s mom, Miracle Williams, was devastated to learn that her son had died. While asking for prayers for her family, she expressed relief that her son had been baptized the day before his death. She stated that every day for the rest of her life will be a waste of time. She ‘ll never be OK.
She put up a GoFundMe page to assist her cover LaVonte’e’s funeral costs because people were asking her how they could help. She also requested that people respect her family’s privacy.
He was quite kind; he cared about people and his family. He saw himself as the little guardian, Jones explained. Her grandson likewise expressed a desire to be a football player or a firefighter, yet fate had different ideas for him. According to Mayor Mary Esther Reed t, the death of a kid is unfathomable, and this tragedy has broken their hearts. The Smyrna community sends its condolences and best wishes to everyone concerned.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Williams and their friends and family as they suffer with the tragic loss of LaVonte’e.
