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Community remembers girl, 8, killed a year ago
The Rev. David Taylor and Terri Coles
Joe Appel/Tribune-Review
More than 100 people Saturday packed the former Mr. Tommy's Car Wash and Sandwich Shop, a year after a pair of gunmen burst into the Homewood restaurant, shooting and killing Taylor Coles; her father and Terri's longtime boyfriend, Parrish Freeman, 36; and family friend Thomas Mitchell, 31.
Many at the candlelight vigil wore T-shirts with a smiling Taylor emblazoned on the front. The restaurant was decorated with balloons and stuffed Tweety Birds — Taylor's favorite cartoon character.
"This is a holy place tonight and always will be as long as we remember not to be afraid," said the Rev. David Taylor, of the St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Homewood. "And to have the courage to never allow this to happen again."
Several people spoke, offering words of comfort to Terri Coles and calling for an end to violence.
"We are still going in this insane cycle. I am so tired of burying our children," said Adrienne Young, executive director of Tree of Hope, a charitable organization aimed at helping families of murder victims. Young's son was shot to death in 1995.
"We ask for our young people to change, but our community leaders must be an example to our youth. The adults must take stock and work together," Young said.
William "Munch" Thompson, 32, of Homewood, and Andre "Little Dre" Crisswalle, 28, of Lincoln-Lemington, are awaiting trial in the killings. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. Police continue to search for a third man who acted as the lookout for the shooters.
The restaurant closed last year after owner Tommy Washington died of cancer.
During the vigil, several people cried when Taylor's former music teacher at Holy Rosary School talked about Taylor's love for music.
"She had a song in her heart," Sandy Dowe said.
For Terri Coles, the pain abides.
"I really thank everyone for coming out tonight, I just thought I would be a little stronger," she said, wiping away tears.
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