HomeMy WebLinkAboutNewspaper ArticleDec30, 2008 10 34 pm US/Eastern
City Officials To Rename Park After Murdered Child
Sherdavia Jenkins, 9, Of Liberty City Was Shot And Killed In 2006, And A Park Has
Been Dedicated To Her
The death of 9-year-old Sherdavia Jenkins in July 2006 rocked the Liberty City Community. Now,
some Miami City leaders and Sherdavia's family are hopeful a park in her name will finally bring
peace to the area.
Sherdavia was shot to death in the middle of the day while playing with her sister on their front
porch in Liberty Square.
The Jenkins family remembers the best of Sherdavia. She had a bright smile and a quick wit.
Tuesday afternoon, they walked through the small park they hope will create peace in a
community devastated by violence.
"It seems as though they haven't learned anything," says Sherdavia's father, David Jenkins.
Sherdavia's younger sister Catherine, now io, recalls that horrible afternoon when Sherdavia was
killed. "She was playing with her doll and a man had came and he started shooting everywhere,"
she said.
The family says the two murder suspects were trying to kill each other. Apparently, Sherdavia was
in the way.
Sherdavia's mother Sherrone said, "I'm pretty sure they saw her but didn't care. Both suspects are
awaiting trial for Sherdavia's death.
Sherdavia's murder brought neighbors in Liberty City together. They held anti -violence rallies
and vowed to never forget. But just a few weeks ago, someone forgot. Another child was shot to
death in the area; this time io-month-old Derrick Days was in the way while he sat on his father's
lap.
"That really tore at me," said David Jenkins.
But a little stretch of grass on MLK Boulevard gives the Jenkins family renewed hope. Miami City
leaders are expected to sign off on a plan to rename the mini -park on NW 62nd Street and 1.2th
Avenue the "Sherdavia Jenkins Peace Park".
Liberty City Trust managers plan to have the park cleaned up and refurbished with seating and
flowers.
Despite the continued violence in that part of Miami, the Jenkins family believes renaming the
park will help. It couldn't hurt. Catherine says, "When people see Sherdavia's name they'll
remember what happened and they might stop the violence.
City leaders hope to have the park complete and ready to re -open in April.