BATON ROUGE — In recognition of National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims on September 25, the city of Baton Rouge and survivor-led organizations are coming together to honor the lives lost to violent crime and offer support to grieving families. The event, taking place at Expressway Park from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will include memorial activities and resources aimed at fostering healing and unity within the community.
Unfiltered with Kiran talked with Kenya Jarmon, one of the co-organizers of the event.
Jarmon, who lost four brothers to violent crime, says the event aims to bring together families who have experienced similar tragedies to bond and heal.
“It helps to connect to those that understand what you’re going through and be able to draw strength from other people that have been where you’ve been and have overcome that moment,” Jarmon said.
She added that by connecting with people who have faced similar experiences, families might learn new ways to cope with their loss.
Jarmon also said that many individuals committing violent crimes in the Baton Rouge area are victims of violent crime or have experienced trauma. Events like this, she said, serve as a way to reach out and offer potential intervention.
“I believe that a lot of what we’re seeing is untreated trauma that is stimulated from a variety of reasons. However, if you trace it back, you can see a lot of the people that are committing crimes have experienced some type of trauma in their own life, so it’s important that people plug in so they can find out what resources are available to them and their families,” Jarmon said.
The latest victim: Teressa Calligan
Adding to the tragedy of gun violence is the recent death of Teressa Calligan. Calligan, a beloved mother, cybersecurity specialist, and community leader, was killed on Sept. 15 after being shot while driving her SUV. The shooting occurred at 8:55 p.m. near Greenwell Street, shortly after she left a family event at Dearman’s Diner on Jefferson Highway, celebrating her cousin Niles Haymer’s campaign for City Court judge. Despite the presence of law enforcement at the scene, Calligan was fatally shot in the head, causing her vehicle to crash into multiple cars, including a police unit.
“We do not want this situation to seem as though she was doing something she wasn’t supposed to be doing. She was definitely just driving home after an event,” Niles Haymer said.
Calligan’s family, still grieving the loss of her stepson two years ago, is devastated. Known for her work with The Walls Project, where she taught coding and mentored youth, Calligan’s death has sent shockwaves through the community. Haymer has called for stricter justice measures and urged the public to help solve the case. The investigation is ongoing.
MORE FROM UWK: Teressa Calligan: Family speaks on beloved wife, mom & community leader fatally shot in Baton Rouge
Victim’s Walk
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the event will include memorial activities, where attendees can write the names of their deceased loved ones on stones. Children will also learn to make kites and write the names of loved ones on them to fly in remembrance.
Jarmon emphasized that the event is open to anyone, regardless of how long ago they lost a loved one or whether they have personally experienced such a tragedy.
“It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. You could have lost a loved one 50 or 60 years ago to homicide. We’re asking everyone to come out in remembrance,” Jarmon said.
The memorial ceremony will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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