Heartbreak in Atlanta: Mother Speaks Out After Tragic Shooting
ATLANTA – In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the grieving mother of Raquavious Ferguson, an 18-year-old shot and killed in a violent incident, is opening up for the first time, sharing her pain and demand for justice. Lashala Ferguson is left with nothing but memories and photographs of her beloved son, taken far too soon.
“That was my baby and they took him from me and I don’t know why,” Lashala tearfully expressed. “I don’t even understand anything. I need answers; that’s all I’m asking for.” The tragic shooting occurred on a Tuesday afternoon in southwest Atlanta, near the intersection of Sells Avenue and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, close to Morehouse College. Investigators say a large fight broke out, quickly escalating into gunfire.
A Promising Life Cut Short
So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, which also injured a 14-year-old boy who is currently in critical condition. Lashala reflected on what Raquavious could have achieved, saying, “I had a great kid. He had a future.” His aunt, Sanchetta Ferguson, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Raq had dreams of being an engineer; that’s the school he could have ended up attending. He wanted to go to trade school. He had dreams; it was just the beginning for him.”
Misunderstood: An Innocent Life
Family members of Raquavious insist that he was not involved in the altercation and was merely an innocent bystander. “He was not even involved, that’s what I’m being told,” his aunt explained. “He was just there; it was just a whole bunch of kids in the area.” Surveillance video reportedly shows that everyone, including the 14-year-old, appeared to be armed. However, his family stands firm on Raquavious’ innocence during the chaos.
Struggling to Cope with Loss
The aftermath of the tragedy has also taken a toll on Raquavious’s younger brother, who is struggling with the sudden loss. Lashala shared that her son always told her “I love you,” a sentiment she will deeply miss. “My baby didn’t deserve that,” she stated. “He didn’t deserve that at all.”
Community Vigil and Support
As the family mourns, they are urging the community to stand together. “This is a young black man who had a promising future that was just stripped away from him for no reason,” said Sanchetta. In a show of support, a vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday night on Neal Street, where friends and family hope to honor Raquavious’s life while simultaneously calling for justice.
The family has also set up a GoFundMe page to help with upcoming expenses related to this tragedy and to assist in their quest for justice. They invite anyone who wishes to contribute or support them during this difficult time to do so.
In a world where violence continues to ripple through communities, the Ferguson family hopes that sharing Raquavious’s story will open the eyes of those who can bring justice and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Though he may no longer be with them, those who loved him will continue to fight for his memory.
