LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – It may have been a celebration Saturday but it was also a somber reminder of the tragedy that happened one year ago.
Family and loved ones of DeQuante Hobbs Jr. held a “Love Your Neighbor” event to mark one year since the 7-year-old was fatally hit by a stray bullet while he was sitting in his kitchen.
Wyatt Williams has been charged with his murder but DeQuante’s family says his death continues to leave a hole in their hearts.
“We’re in peace, we are, but it’s not ever going to go away. Every day, I wake up – me personally, it just seems like it’s still a nightmare and he’s here and when I wake up, he’s not,” DeQuante’s grandmother Priscilla Norment said.
The family says they want people to remember DeQuante as a boy who was always smiling and wanting other people to smile as well.
They say his death has brought the community together and that even one year later, he is on the minds of many in the city.
Even though the actual date of his death is May 21, his family wanted to hold the celebration of his life on the weekend so that kids wouldn’t have to miss school – something they say DeQuante loved.