Staten Island families commemorate shooting victims with new museum exhibit (2024)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A tie, a Minute Maid wrapper, an Altoids container. These are more than just mere items, they are memories for those still mourning, those who bear the burden of a broken heart from a life taken.

Tears were shed and stories shared, as families of victims of gun violence gathered to commemorate the legacy of lost loved ones with a new exhibit at the Staten Island Museum Friday afternoon.

The touching tribute, titled “We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial” is the result of a partnership between the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, the Staten Island Museum, and the families of loved ones lost to senseless violence.

The unveiling of the tribute is part of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon’s efforts to acknowledge Gun Violence Awareness Month and those whose lives are impacted by such violence. Recently, McMahon joined students and educators for a ribbon-tying event to commemorate those taken too soon.

“It’s our mission to make clear to the people of Staten Island, to the people of the City of New York and to the people of the United States of America, that gun violence has victims, has repercussions, and affects lives forever,” McMahon said. “And this is why in our office at the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, we take this so seriously.”

“We know, of all the crimes that we deal with, the victims of gun violence is ... the most tragic,” McMahon added. “And that’s why this event is so important to us.”

Prior to the official unveiling of the exhibit, McMahon welcomed guests and invited a series of speakers to say a few words.

Joining the families in attendance was the new commander of the 120th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Eric Waldhelm, law enforcement officials, and members of groups, such as True2Life and Mothers Against Senseless Killings (MASK).

“We hope this exhibition can be a place for remembrance, reflection and healing,” Rylee Eterginoso, director or curatorial affairs and programs at the Staten Island Museum, said. “Thank you for trusting the museum as a safe space to make and share your artwork and lives. Thank you for finding the strength and courage to talk about love, loss and injustice in a very public and personal way.”

Flanked by bright orange balloons, the hue standing as a symbol of gun violence awareness, victims’ family members shared their thoughts.

“It brings me solace to know that I am among a group of my peers who generally understand the heartache that I endure each day without my son,” Jody Lordo, mother of Michael Evans, said. “There is no outline for us to know how we are supposed to carry on throughout the darkest of times. However, I hope this project that we’ve dedicated our time and energy into brings a tiny bit of comfort as we all work to keep the memories of our loved ones alive.”

Slain Police Officer Gerard Carter’s widow, Jozette Carter, was also in attendance with her son Louis, who was only six at the time Carter was killed by then 17-year-old Shatiek Johnson on July 31, 1998.

“Mental health is a big thing that we have to all come together for,” Carter said. “We have to support our younger generation, we have to support them, to help them and lead them in the right path to make sure that they lead valuable lives in our society. Listen, I was raised in the projects, I grew up in the projects. I did everything that everybody could ever imagine, yes, I did. But I did not become a product of my environment. And that’s what’s so big. If we all come together and we make it better and help our youth, gun violence, we wouldn’t even be having these situations, these days, these months.”

While eyes were already misty by this point, it was the reading of a poem written by Tziporah Pearson, 15, in memory of her 13-year-old friend Jamoure Harrell, that left the room fighting back tears. It was just over a year ago that young Harrell was shot and killed in a Stapleton playground.

“One mother, forever haunted, faces a vacant chair,” a section of Pearson’s poem reads. “A child, a future stolen, a love beyond compare. Another whispers goodbye, a life cut far too short. Two families forever scarred, forever caught.”

THE UNVEILING

Gathering before the room containing the tributes, loved ones cut the orange ribbon, signifying the official opening of the exhibit.

It was a poignant scene, loved ones looked on at the family made boxes with tears streaming down their face. Ten shadow boxes lined the walls of a predominantly barren room.

Each case varied in contents, the sunlight streaming in through the windows and shedding light on the commemorative displays.

Lordo stood by a case dedicated to her son who was gunned down in 2022, a necklace dangled from her neck with a depiction of his face. He was remembered for being a “big brother” and a father to three.

Lordo shared the symbolic items commemorating her son’s life. Among the items were photos, an image of her son’s tattoo, and music notes symbolizing his affinity for music.

Officer Carter had a box of his own as well. In it, a number of personal items echoed his eternal memory. A San Francisco 49ers shirt could be prominently seen in the case; the top the very one he wore the day he was killed.

“When you think about it, when that shot rings out and the heart is broken and a life ends, that is not the end of the story.,” McMahon said. “The life that is taken lives on in our hearts and our memories, and the sorrow burns in our hearts and our minds for a lifetime. Yet somehow, we have to find a way to continue to tell the story of the person who we lost, and that’s what this initiative does. This initiative, these boxes, are telling the story of the lives that were taken way too early, so needlessly, so that we can continue to tell their story, and your story.”

“We Remember: A Staten Island Gun Violence Memorial” will be on display at the Staten Island Museum through July 28.