Community mourns following tragic shooting

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Posted January 2, 2023 | Photos by Bruce Ackerman/bruce@ocalagazette.com

A prayer vigil was held on Jan. 2 in the neighborhood where the deadly shooting happened during a New Year’s Day block party.

  • Corey Croskey Sr., the father of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, is consoled by Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Bonita Croskey, the mother of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, is consoled by Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace, right, as Abdul's father, Corey Croskey Sr. left, and brother, Jamar Croskey, second from left, look on during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Tears rolls down the face of Bonita Croskey, the mother of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, as she is consoled by Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Bonita Croskey, the mother of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, is consoled by Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Bonita Croskey, the mother of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, center, becomes emotional as Abdul's grandfather, Cole Croskey, left, and father, Corey Croskey Sr., right, sit with her during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • People listen during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Pastor Lillie Tuggerson speaks as people listen during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • A bicyclist rides by as flower are shown near the shooting scene during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Bonita Croskey, the mother of shooting victim Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, is consoled by a woman as Abdul's grandfather, Cole Croskey, left, holds her hand during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Ben Marciano of Zone Health and Fitness, top left, and Ire Bethea of the Ocala City Council, third from right, pay their respects with other people during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Numerous Pastors pray together during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Friends and family members console each other as they pray during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Pastor Eric Cummings, also of the Marion County School Board, leads people in prayer during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Nahriah James, 2, prays with other people during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Edward Long raises his arms as he prays with other people during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Apostle Brandon Cave Sr. of the Higher Ground Harvest Center leads people in prayer during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
  • Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace speaks to people during a double fatal shooting Prayer Vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and D’amonta Harris, 30, on Southwest 5th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2022. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey and D’amonta Harris both died died during a shooting early New Year's Day. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
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