Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 8-20-21

Feature
Forgiving Is Not Easy For Mom Of Slain Teenager
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The summer is a bitter—sweet time for Ms. Vannetta Scott and her family. One of her daughters, Iesha Washington, celebrated her 18th birthday on July 17, 2011. The young lady also died that year on July 30, 2011, after being struck by a stray bullet.
Ms. Scott said she has t0 make some changes in her own life. “Every year, for the last 10 years. I have cel- ebrated her life. But, I’m going to change the way I remember her. In- stead of having a memorial service, we will do things such as going out to dinner and making it a happy occa- sion. As long as I have life in me, I will never let her memory be forgot- ten.
“And, I’m going to start trying to forgive the young man who took my daughter’s life. These kids don’t un- derstand what it does to the family when they make the decision to pull a gun and take someone’s life. They don’t know what the family feels.
“We are still standing together in unity and love. But, my heart bleeds for every mother who has lost a child. I was fortunate because there was an arrest and the young man is in prison. Now, I must forgive him to be right in God’s eyes. I have to for- give him if I want God to forgive me. I have to forgive him, I can’t let him take anymore from me than he al- ready has.
“I am hurting, but God does not put any more on you than your heart can bear. I just hope that my pain gives encouragement to other moth- ers who have lost a child to violence.”
During these past 10 years, Ms.
IESHA WASHINGTON
Scott said she has been over hills and mountains. “I’m a strong Black woman and I’m still standing. When you bury your child, everyone comes, then, they are gone. But, God will never leave, He will be there.”
On July 30, 2011, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to a clubhouse at 5020 Highway 41 South, in Riverview, owned by the Local 439 of the International Chemical Work- ers Union.
Upon their arrival, they discov- ered that Iesha Washington and 22-year-old Craig Thompson had been struck by stray bullets during a shootout. Police estimated that more than 500 people were in attendance.
Both Iesha and Craig were in- nocent victims. And both died as a result of their injuries.
Within days after the double murder, detectives with the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tyrell Sidney Bragg.
Bragg was charged with second-
Members of the family celebrating the life of Ms. Iesha Washington are from left to right: Ishia Washington, Kenya Williams, Ms. Vannetta Scott, and Darrell Hernan- dez.
degree murder in the death of Ms. Washington. Police also recovered a .380 handgun believed to be the murder weapon.
However, the firearm used to claim the life of 22-year-old Craig Thompson, the second victim, was of a different caliber. His murder re- mains unsolved.
At the time of the murders, police learned that a fight had broken out inside the building and those in- volved were asked to leave. The
shooting followed in the parking lot of the building.
Ms. Washington had gone to the party with her sister and brother. When the shooting started, she was exiting the car to look for her brother when she was struck by gunfire.
Ms. Washington was an in- coming senior and member of the Spoto High School Softball Team.
Ms. Scott was presented Iesha’s diploma at the graduation ceremony.
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