Justice for Tiya Prayer Walk slated for Saturday
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on September 23, 2016 9:57 AM
A Justice for Tiya Prayer Walk is planned Saturday in support of a 19-year-old who was fatally shot in July.
Everlena Eason, organizer of an earlier prayer walk in late July, said the effort needs to continue as many homicides remain unsolved, including the death of Atiya Maddox. Maddox was fatally shot in the crossfire of a shoot-out near the intersection of Olivia Lane and Slaughter Street on July 22.
"It's in honor of Atiya for justice to be served because the killer is still at large," Eason said of the Saturday event. "I'm hoping that we can come together so that justice will be served."
The prayer walk starts at 9 a.m. at Dillard Middle School, 1101 S. Devereaux St., and continues through area neighborhoods.
The death of Maddox has remained in the spotlight as family and friends continue to grieve, an online GoFundMe account has netted more than $2,300 toward funeral expenses and the donation level to solve her death is $11,000 -- the highest amount available out of the city's five unsolved killings this year.
In early August, $25,000 in local donations were made that provide a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in each of the cases. The donation adds to the $1,000 provided by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers.
In late August, a private group of residents donated another $5,000 that boosted Maddox's reward to $11,000. Information about any of the cases can be directed to Crime Stoppers at 735-2255, by texting 222-4230 or online at www.tipsubmit.com.
The prayer walk Saturday is an effort to remember Maddox and also to pray that her killer is found, Eason said.
"Here, the family is without a daughter, but I haven't forgotten it," Eason said. "I want to keep (the prayer walks) going until justice is served."
Water will be provided during the walk that includes a similar path as the event in July. From the middle school, participants will walk and pray along Slocumb, Elm, Poplar and Olivia Lane. The area is near the location where Maddox was shot, and also an area of high crime in the city.
"We've got to go in the same area to let people know someone cares," Eason said.
The event is open to the general public and people from all religions and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
The first Unity Prayer Walk started because of an interest in reaching out to the community following a string of fatal shootings in the city.
The location of the prayer walk is also near the site of the Goldsboro Street Revival, near the corner of Olivia Lane and Slocumb Street. The revival started in July for similar reasons and has continued nearly every weeknight for two months.