Memphis Mother Remembers Son Lost to Gun Violence One Year After Thanksgiving Tragedy

Memphis Family Seeks Justice One Year After Tragic Shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – As families across the country prepare for Thanksgiving festivities, one Memphis family is still grappling with heartache and unanswered questions. A year ago, their loved one was lost to a tragedy that shattered their holiday.

On that fateful Thanksgiving Day last year, two men were found dead inside a vehicle, victims of gunfire that erupted at the Hickory Ridge Townhomes and Apartment complex. The desolate scene unfolded just a mile away from the home of Regina Seymour, mother of one of the victims, Darius. With a heavy heart, Regina reflected on the horrific events that changed her family forever.

A Grieving Mother’s Heartbreak

“Two people lost their life on Thanksgiving. The worst day for anyone to lose their lives,” Regina shared. The memory is still raw, and the pain is palpable as she remembers the moment everything changed. Darius, who had just celebrated a birthday days before, left home with his uncle and a friend that afternoon—only to never return.

“He died 11 days after his birthday,” Regina recounted, her voice trembling.

About half an hour after they left, Regina’s world came crashing down when her brother returned home, delivering the news that would haunt her forever. “He said, ‘Sis, they tried to rob us.’ I said, ‘Where is Woodie?’ He said, ‘You don’t want to see it.’ My daughter ran out to get some help, then I heard a scream,” Regina recalled.

Searching for Closure

Just moments later, police found Darius and his friend inside their black Jeep, both with fatal gunshot wounds. The scene was filled with anguish, leaving Regina asking why this happened to her son and why the events unfolded in such a violent way.

Regina couldn’t shake the feeling of abandonment when the third man involved, Darius’s uncle, hurried away from the scene, leaving her son behind. “Not only was he my son but he was human. You really left him out here like he was trash to me. You have no heart,” she expressed, heartbroken and furious.

To this day, Regina has heard nothing from Darius’s uncle, an absence she finds hard to comprehend. All that remains are Darius’s personal belongings, memories frozen in time in the form of pictures lining his bedroom walls. “I’m going to remember his birthday, his death date, and Thanksgiving. Those three days I’ll never forget,” she said with determination as she clings to her memories.

The Search for Justice

On this gloomy anniversary, with a 40% chance of showers in Memphis today, Regina is channeling her grief into a relentless pursuit of justice for her son. “I will not rest until I get justice for my son,” she declared, urging anyone with information about the tragic events of that day to step forward. “If you have information, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH,” she implored, hoping someone will provide the leads she needs.

As clouds gather over the city, casting a shadow on the memories of last year’s Thanksgiving, Regina stands firm. She is a mother on a mission, navigating her grief while advocating for justice. Her fight is one of hope, love, and a steadfast belief that, even in the darkest of times, families can come together to support one another.

With the holidays approaching once more, Regina’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of a mother’s love. In a world where such violence can strike at any moment, her voice may just be what’s needed to inspire change in her community.