Families of those lost to crime gather as part of annual week of remembrance

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Families of crime victims gathered to pay tribute during National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

The Speak Their Names event attracted many people to the Crime Victim Memorial near Remington Nature Center on Wednesday night.

Attendees were encouraged to leave a painted stone with their loved one’s name. Some gathered in prayer and received floral seeds to plant at home in remembrance.

Carter Paul Smith's family attended. He died due to gun violence in 2023 at age 15. Shauna Smith and Christine McBrayer, his aunt and grandmother, were present.

Despite bonding through shared grief, the gathering deeply affected Carter's aunt Shauna.

"It's sad. Everyone here feels the same emotions. It's hard to consider everything they've been through," Smith said. "If you're in our situation, don't give up. Hopefully, the justice system will work. Keep their memory alive in your heart."

Legal professionals in the city and county continue to show their support for crime victim families, Buchanan County Domestic Violence Advocate Siobhan Jackson told KQ2.

Jackson explained, "We're still here to guide and help with anything you need. This event is to reconnect with families and see if there is any support we can offer with what's going on now. It is not a one-time thing; we're never done working with any family or victim. We continue to be a resource, always here for them."

The meeting lasted about an hour, with many reconnecting through shared grief. Law enforcement from Buchanan County and St. Joseph also attended.

For more information on Crime Victim Witness Services in Buchanan County, click here. To learn more about the National Crime. For information about Crime Victim Witness Services in Buchanan County, click here. For details on National Crime Victim's Rights Week, click here.