PLEASANT GROVE, Ala. (WIAT) — Krystal Bennett's name holds special meaning.
"She was named Krystal Joy because it was crystal clear that she was going to be a joy to the world," Bennett's mother Sylvia Bennett-Stone said.
But on July 4, 2004, Krystal and her friend Terrin Greer's lives were cut short in an act of gun violence.
Since then, Bennett-Stone's mother has been keeping her daughter's memory alive by founding the non-profit organization Voices of Black Mothers United.
One example of this message in action was a balloon release at Pleasant Grove Park Thursday evening, honoring Bennett and Greer's lives while also spreading the message of putting guns down in the community.
"If I can use an example of her death to give someone else's life, then it's all worth it," said Bennett-Stone "I have been doing this for 20 years and I pray that I moved the needle. I pray that some lives have been saved. I pray that some moms who are going through the same thing have found the strength to live on. But now it's time for our young people to take charge."
Those in attendance, such as Jefferson County-Bessemer District Attorney Lynneice Washington, hope people will recognize how deep of an impact one bullet can have.
"We have to get to a point where we become angry where we say enough is enough," Washington said "Let's be cognizant about the guns. Put the guns down. Use gun locks. Put them away from our young people and find some other way for conflict resolution."
