Teen remembered during prayer vigil

People become emotional as they hold candles during a prayer and candlelight vigil for 18-year-old Shannon Rushing at the Miracle Deliverance Church on NW Old Blitchton Road in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. Rushing, a senior at Forest High School, was killed Monday, Oct. 27, after being struck by a car while walking to her bus stop on the dark roadway, a block away from the church. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

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Posted November 4, 2025 | By Andy Fillmore / Photos by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette

Friends and family members gathered at a candlelight prayer vigil the evening of Nov. 3 for 18-year-old Forest High School senior Shannon Rushing, who died after she was struck by a car while walking on Old Blitchton Road the morning of Oct. 27.

The vigil was hosted by the Miracle Deliverance Center church at 1950 NW Old Blitchton Road, near the site of the fatality, which occurred at 6:18 a.m. several hundred feet east of Northwest 22nd Avenue.

Shanta Norton, Shannon’s sister, joined the vigil as did a number of Shannon’s family members and friends. About 60 people were on hand.

Norton said in an interview before the vigil that Shannon has been living with her since their mother died of leukemia in 2014.

“We’re just trying to get through the hard part and the thought of not seeing her every day,” Norton said.

Several people shared their reflections on knowing Shannon. A man who said he considered himself “a big brother” to Shannon said he would “miss her” and her habit of “rocking” on occasion. Jamall Anderson said Shannon, his niece, was “very caring (and) funny.” One person shared that Shannon’s favorite pastime was “sitting around the pool and watching TV” while another said “she knew she was loved.”

Sophilia L. Givens, pastor of Anchor International Ministries, delivered “words of encouragement” to Shannon’s family and the attendees at the vigil.

“Shannon’s name means life, wisdom and the presence of God,” Givens said comparing the name to the River Shannon in Ireland.

Givens said Shannon’s life is like “eternal water” which will “channel through your life like an eternal river.”

“God was in charge of Shannon’s life,” Given said.

Robert Rushing, Shannon’s uncle, said he was thinking of his niece and her cousin, China Gaskins, said Shannon was a “happy” person who would “make you smile.” Mary Defreitas said she is a supportive co-worker of Norton’s.

Darrell Tolbert of L-Jireh Ministries told the attendees that losing Shannon affected the entire community and said that lights along Old Blitchton Road are “her light burning.”

At the close of the ceremony the group chanted together “We love Shannon” several times.

Meanwhile, Norton has started a petition on change.org, a platform for “taking action,” seeking signatures to petition lawmakers to enact “Shannon’s Law,” which would call for increased safety for pedestrians on Florida’s roadways. Roadway improvements are called for including “adequate” lighting, sidewalks and signage where needed and safety monitoring.

The website indicates that as of Nov. 4 there were 2,890 verified signatures on the petition. The link is change.org/p/pass-shannon-s-law-to-ensure-safer-streets-nationwide

An Ocala Police Department crash report states that the fatality occurred during “dark-not lighted” conditions and a hill crest is noted. The report notes the actions of the driver of the 2015 Nissan Rogue SUV “at the time of the crash” included “failed to keep in proper lane” and “exceeded posted speed.”

The report states that the Nissan was “traveling eastbound in the center of the roadway on NW Old Blitchton Road just past the intersection of Northwest 22nd Ave. The driver was “not distracted” and wore a shoulder/lap seat belt.

“(The victim), headed to school, was walking in the center of the roadway on NW Old Blitchton Road. At this time the (Nissan) came up on a hill crest in the road. (The victim) remained in the roadway” and the collision occurred. The crash report notes the victim was “walking in the center of the roadway” approximately 593 feet east of Northwest 22nd Avenue. The Nissan’s speed is estimated at 45 mph in the crash report. The posted speed limit on the two-lane road is 30 mph.

Norton said she has observed pedestrians on recent mornings and feels “scared” about the conditions.

Norton plans to attend a Nov. 5 Community Road Safety Planning meeting seeking “public input on roadway safety.”

This second planning meeting is hosted by the city of Ocala Engineering Department and will be held at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) at 15 SE Osceola, from 5 to 7 p.m.

“The city of Ocala has received a Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant and is utilizing it to make local roads safer for everyone,” a city of Ocala press release stated.

“The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about two major planning efforts designed to reduce and eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on Ocala’s roadways, including a Local Road Safety Plan and Speed Management and Traffic Calming Plan,” the release reads in part.

Norton said she is looking for roadway improvements while honoring her sister’s memory.

“I don’t want my sister’s death to be in vain,” she said.