Atlanta Christmas tree memorial comforts parents of children killed by gun violence

ATLANTA - Christmas is typically a happy time of year. But for some families in metro Atlanta, it’s only a reminder of the loss they’ve experienced as their children were taken by gun violence.

A tree at the corner of Peter Street and McDaniel Street represents the grief those families are dealing with during this time.

Community Activist Georgetta Morton says she has been putting the tree up since 2020. Rather than focusing on what is under the tree, this special vigil features ornaments of photos of children and teens that were shot and killed in Georgia this year. 

Morton says the tradition has continued because the need to bring attention to gun violence has only increased.

"We in the African-American community are losing a lot of our young men," said Bishop Michael Canion from the Assembly of Truth Ministries.

The church is just a few hundred feet away from where the tree now stands.

Morton told FOX 5 putting the tree up each year is also her way of letting families know they are not alone in their grief.

"I just want to make sure we haven’t forgotten those families and that they know someone still cares about their babies," ," Morton. "We’re gonna be next Sunday enjoying time with our families and children, but we don’t want to forget about the ones that are sitting there without their child."

Parents like Chanell Crosby stopped by Sunday to see her son Jamiren’s photo on the tree.

Just a little over three months ago, her 13-year-old son was shot to death. His body found in the woods at a park behind a subdivision in Lithonia.

"It’s just too much gun violence going on right now in Atlanta, Georgia with kids," Crosby told FOX 5.

While she is still awaiting justice for her son, she said seeing someone else in the community acknowledge her family’s loss did bring her some comfort. 

"To know that everybody still cares and everyone still love him…" she began, "sometimes when people pass away the phone calls stop."

Morton and other community leaders say the holidays will pass, but the issues plaguing communities will still be here. They believe it will take a collective effort to get gun violence under control. 

Arrests have been made in some of these cases while others, like Jamiren’s, remain under investigation. 

If you have any information or tips that can help, please call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.