There were tears, prayers and pleas for justice as dozens gathered in the rain to remember a young mother killed in a Birmingham shooting.
Anitra “ReRe” Holloman, 21, was out with friends six days ago when gunmen opened fire outside Hush lounge in the Five Points South entertainment district, killing Holloman and three men, as well as injuring 17 others.
“It’s been the worst six days of my life,’’ her mother, Candance Kemp, said Friday at Railroad Park where a vigil was held in Holloman’s honor.
“She was a great daughter. She was a great mom. She was my best friend,’’ Kemp said.
Also killed were Roderick Lynn Patterson Jr., Tahj Booker, 27, and Carlos McCain, 27.
The deadly shooting happened just after 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the 2000 block of Magnolia Avenue.
Police Chief Scott Thurmond said investigators believe that the barrage of automatic gunfire was a “hit” — a murder-for-hire targeting at least one of the men killed in the shooting. More than 100 shots were fired.
Thurmond said he would not yet identify who investigators believe was the targeted victim in Saturday’s mass shooting, and said police are still trying to determine whether a second victim was also targeted.
Authorities said they have identified the types of guns used but have not publicly released that information.
No arrests have been made but authorities said hundreds of tips are pouring in.
Read more coverage of the mass shooting here
Holloman was a college student studying to become a teacher and a single mother to 1-year-old Ski’Lar. Demetris Silliman Jr., Holloman’s longtime sweetheart and Ski’Lar’s father, was found shot to death on Oct. 11, 2022.
Holloman was remembered for her smile, her ambition, and her fun-loving spirit.
Kemp and one of her young sons – Holloman’s baby brother – hugged tight and sobbed during the vigil.
“She was determined to be something in life,’’ Kemp said.
“Just love on your kids,’’ she said. “I never in my life thought this would happen.”
She said Ski’Lar seems to be realizing her mother is not here anymore.
“She was sad all day yesterday,’’ she said. “This sweet, poor baby lost both her parents to gun violence. This can’t be life.”
“Put the guns down,’’ Kemp said. “It’s out of control.”
Kemp said she’s putting her faith in God and leaning on the many who have offered her support, especially those who have gone through similar losses.
Sheree Kennon lost her son, 27-year-old Detraio Deshawn Whorton, to gun violence on Feb. 25, 2021. She later launched What About Us, a Birmingham-based nonprofit that provides support services for those who have experienced the loss of a child.
“People don’t really understand the impact of a losing a child or a loved,’’ Kennon told the crowd. “I myself lost my son and I know exactly what it is she is going through.”
“We are losing too many and our voices need to be heard,’’ she said. “We have to talk to our young and some of these adults causing trouble in our community.”
Sherita Clark lost her cousin and his pregnant girlfriend in a double homicide and she, too, was there to support Kemp.
Chris Norris and Liyah Webster, both 20, were excitedly planning for their baby’s upcoming gender reveal when they vanished on Valentine’s Day 2024 while on their way to dinner and movie.
Their bodies were found two days later inside Norris’s car in the 4100 block of 10th Avenue in Wylam. Both had been shot, and no arrests have been made.
After her cousin’s death, Clark became an anti-violence advocate in the community and started Refreshing Our Communities with the idea of teaching children conflict resolution.
“Put your guns down,’’ Clark said. “Revenge is not the way.”
She also pleaded with anyone with information to come forward.
She looked at the crowd and said, “Somebody knows more than what they’re telling. We have to stop being silent. These criminals don’t care about us.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to help with Holloman’s burial. Donations can be made here.
Police ask that anyone with information call 205-254-1764, Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips can also be submitted through a QR code.
