Gallery: Balloon release and prayer vigil for Da’monta Harris

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Posted January 5, 2023 | Photos By Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette

Almost two hundred people gathered on the front lawn of NW 9th Street home on Jan. 5 for a balloon release/prayer vigil held in the memorial of Da’monta Harris, 30, who was shot and killed during a New Year’s Day block party that claimed the lives of two men and sent four others to area hospitals. In attendance were the two young children of Harris, his family, friends, a few elected officials from the Marion County School District and the City of Ocala Council, and at least one high school coach.

After a short sermon by Darrell Tolbert of L-Jaireh Church, people were asked to make a circle to release the balloons and say in unison “We love you ‘Monta.”

The event was organized by War Cry 4 Peace.

  • Photos are shown in a memorial for shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Photos are shown in a memorial for shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Patricia Kinsler and granddaughter, Amari Pringle, 7, gather to remember shooting victim Da'monta Harris with other people during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • The family of shooting victim Da'monta Harris arrives for a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Teresa Williams, the mother of shooting victim Da'monta Harris, becomes emotional and is consoled by people during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for her son on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • People hold balloons as they pay their respect to shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • People hold balloons as they pay their respect to shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Teresa Williams, second from right, the mother of shooting victim Da'monta Harris, consoles his children as his father weeps during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for her son on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Teresa Williams, center, the mother of shooting victim Da'monta Harris, consoles his children during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for her son on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • People hold balloons as they pay their respect to shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Darrell Tolbert of L-Jaireh Church speaks to mourners during a prayer vigil held for Da'monta Harris by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • People hold balloons as they pray for shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace prays for shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • People hold balloons as they pay their respect to shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • Teresa Williams, center, the mother of shooting victim Da'monta Harris, releases balloons with numerous other people during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace for her son on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
  • People release balloons for shooting victim Da'monta Harris during a prayer vigil held by War Cry 4 Peace on Northwest 9th Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, and Da'monta Harris, 30, both died during a shooting early New Year's Day on Southwest 5th Street. Four other people were shot at the end of a large block party in the neighborhood. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

 

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