Ga. shooting survivor raises awareness to fight gun violence
MOULTRIE, Ga. (WALB) - Studies show gun deaths in Georgia increased by 25% in the past decade.
Although your odds of being hit by a stray bullet is 1 in 6,000, a woman who thankfully survived a drive-by shooting in Moultrie, where she was hit by five stray bullets, is bringing awareness to gun violence.
Laquaila Walker says she never imagined that she would become a victim of gun violence, especially in front of her children.
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“It’s been a long road, still a long road but— I’m making it. It changed me but for the better. I see life differently now,” Walker said.
Walker says she and her brother were victims of a drive-by shooting on Second Street in Moultrie. Walker suffered five gunshot wounds in her stomach and back.
She says she plans to host her “5 Shots Awareness” event each year to not only bring awareness to gun violence but to celebrate her still being alive.
“It’s alright to put them guns down. If you had problems back in the day we would fight it out and be friends tomorrow. Now it’s like everybody ready to risk it all for nothing,” Walker said.
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Gun violence continues to impact many lives throughout South Georgia, not just Walker’s. Some say it’s as if this is the new normal, but if you ask any parent, they will tell you it’s not.
“Baby, you just don’t know how grateful I am. Honey, I was a praying mother. I’m still a praying mother, and I’m going to continue to pray with all the gun violence going on around here. If it help just one person, it made a difference,” said Regina Walker, Laquaila’s mother.
Laquaila Walker says she plans to start a non-profit to bring awareness to gun violence.
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