A memorial for Julius Marcus Moore outside of Palisade Circle. Moore was murdered on March 26.

A memorial for Julius Marcus Moore outside of Palisade Circle. Moore was murdered on March 26.

<p>A memorial for Julius Marcus Moore outside of Palisade Circle. Moore was murdered on March 26.</p>
                                 <p>Photo courtesy of Tinikianni Baldwin</p>

A memorial for Julius Marcus Moore outside of Palisade Circle. Moore was murdered on March 26.

Photo courtesy of Tinikianni Baldwin

ROCKINGHAM — After her son’s murder two years ago, Tinikianni Baldwin knew that she didn’t want other parents to go through the same painful experience alone.

She started the “Voice for Change (Stop the Gun Violence)” Facebook group to provide a space where individuals in Richmond County can support each other through their grief for loved ones who perished due to gun violence. Among those who have shared their stories as part of this group are Jo Deane Ziriax. Her son, Julius Marcus Moore, was murdered on March 26.

“He loved YouTube, Fortnite. He loved doing his school work, Minecraft, Super Mario,” Ziriax said. “He was a really good kid. All he wanted to do was stay home and play his games.”

Julius was walking home late at night when he was shot, according to Ziriax. His alleged killer, Tito Jermaine Ray, is in Richmond County Jail for first-degree murder.

“He didn’t bother nobody,” Ziriax said. “He didn’t deserve that.”

His uncle, Kenny Moore, also mentioned his love of video games and sports.

“My nephew was a terrific kid,” Moore said. “He was a computer tech — anything on a laptop or a phone, he would show you how to do it.”

Baldwin’s goal is to grasp the attention of as many young people as she can.

“So many people in our county are losing their life to senseless gun violence,” Baldwin said. “I want to be able to help someone else that’s going through the same things that I’m going through. I want people to know that they’re not alone — it can make a big difference in someone’s life.”

Her son, Kinnie Utley, was shot at State Line Bar & Grill in Bennettsville. The death of Julius particularly bothered Baldwin, and stirred her to create something that can start a small change within her community.

Along with being a support group, Baldwin wants to see Voice for Change become a place for people to raise money to help with funeral expenses to families that have lost someone due to gun violence.

Baldwin said she has seen a lot of “failure.” She knows far too many children who have no guidance in life and begin hanging out in the streets.

“Our children are lost because they’re only out here in the streets — that’s all they know,” Baldwin said. “We have nothing for them to do here. We need to get these younger kids back in school.”

Baldwin plans to hold an event on Mother’s Day weekend. Six families affected by gun violence will be present and share their stories. Baldwin wants to have enlarged photos of the individuals who have died to put a face to gun violence and let kids know that there are better options in life than picking up a gun.

“We are hurting our future,” Baldwin said. “I have a vision and I want that vision to carry out — it’s hard for me to say how big of a change this will make. If I can get their attention, I know I can capture their heart.”

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Reach Matthew Sasser at 910-817-2671 or [email protected]