And 7 year-old Tyler Savery’s murder is, of course, the most resonant loss right now.  His funeral was held this afternoon at the BTL park. That’s where the family was joined by friends, well-wishers and community members who joined to celebrate the life of a promising child whose life was cut short by gun violence. 

It’s most likely the first funeral in memory to be held at a park, but Tyler’s mother, Shakera Young, wanted to give everyone a chance to say good-bye to her son before she cremated his body. His murder has shocked the nation, and today, we spoke to a few persons who attended the funeral. They told us that his grieving mother’s message of peace is something that everyone can identify with:

Councillor Dion Leslie - Funeral Attendant
"I knew Tyler from basically when he was born. His father who passed away couple years ago due to gun violence was a close friend of mine so when I got the news I broke down. It's pretty hard what I hope as a nation as a city, as people, as brothers and sisters that we're not numb to this, this isn't just another case of someone got killed, we bury him, we move on with our day. I hope we haven't gotten to that state that we're so numb that we can't feel anymore."

Dianne Finnegan - Funeral Attendant
"One of the things that I've realised and just sitting into the different interventions. When things like this happen they really don't care; a bullet that has a target has no emotions and they could care less who is in the midst as long as they accomplish their purpose which is so sad because we stand on the side and we mourn and they continue to prepare themselves for the next agenda, for the next victim."

Hon. Kareem Musa - Funeral Attendant
"I'm here first and foremost as a father, I have 2 young boys. It’s just incredible the amount of emotions you feel out there today. It's really sad but at the same time it's a powerful message that is being sent by Ms. Shakera Young. She's going through so much, she has lost 4 family members to gun violence, it is just really heart wrenching."

Shakera Young - Mother of Tyler Savery
"I've had tremendous support and I must say that I want to sincerely thank everybody. My son like I said I chose cremation because that is my way of accepting that my son is gone; dust you are and dust you shall return and I will take my son home, I will keep him in his urn, I will put his cars around him, I will keep him happy at home. I will take him where I go, I will travel with him and I will continue keeping my baby safe. And to that young man who is behind bars, pray and to the persons that are missing and if it's even that young man who didn't do what they say that he did and if he knows something I'm asking him to find it within himself to bring that person and shed some light because my son did not deserve what happen to him. But like I said my son's blood is still stained to the street and he will never be forgotten, ever, ever. I passed the street twice and every time I pass I have to cry."

After the funeral procession, the funeral goers returned to the BTL Park for a special evening vigil.