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Sandra Parks wrote essay on gun violence two years before her death
Sandra Parks wrote essay on gun violence two years before her death
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Public Schools officials released an essay written by Sandra Parks -- two years before her death. Parks placed third among sixth-graders in the 33rd city-wide MLK Day essay contest -- and her own words are especially poignant in the wake of her passing.
Sandra Parks
Parks was in her bedroom on late on Monday, Nov. 19 when bullets flew into her home near 13th and Hopkins in Milwaukee. Parks was struck and died on the scene. A 26-year-old person of interest has been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Bernice Parks
Family members and friends said Parks was a very bright girl with a promising future. They gathered to remember her on Tuesday night -- saying they are heartbroken by her death, but finding comfort in her own words.
"I'm going to miss my baby. She was a star -- not just in my eyes, but everybody else's eyes. Don't ever forget my baby. Keep me in your prayers. Don't ever forget her," said Bernice Parks, Sandra's mother.
Kimanzi Edari mentored Sandra at school, and was with her earlier on Monday.
"Very accomplished writer. Very, very intuitive, beautiful human being. Beautiful human being. She was very outspoken -- very talented," said Edari.
Kimanzi Edari
Bernice Parks said she hopes to one day publish a book of her daughter's poetry and writing.