The devastated mom of a 14-year-old girl gunned down in a park has spoken out about the loss.
The Colorado community was left in shock after Kamiaya Cleveland was tragically shot and killed in a park just days before she was due to have her braces removed, which she'd been eagerly looking forward to. The shooting erupted at a party attended by around 100 girls at Highland Hollows Park in Aurora, Colorado.
Kamiaya was one of three girls shot; the other two victims, 14 and 15, whose names have not been revealed, survived the attack. Speaking to FOX31, the 14-year-old’s mother, Krystal Cleveland said: “We love Kamiaya and miss her so much. Any information anyone has that may be helpful please let us know! We need justice for Kamiaya!!”
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One of the other partygoers told the outlet there was trouble at the party early on. The teen, who doesn't want to be identified, said: "I left, and then a few minutes later people texted me talking about are you OK? They said a fight broke out and there’s been a shooting."
The local ABC 7 Denver news outlet reported that Kamiaya's death has been officially declared a homicide. Her grieving mother and grandmother are now demanding justice for a young girl they remembered as compassionate and protective over her younger siblings.
"I feel like my heart is ripped in like a million pieces," her grandmother, Annie Cleveland, expressed to the media. Recalling their last encounter, she said: "I remember last time she was here, she hugged me and gave me a kiss. She always did and always would have done in the future as well, I'm sure. But she'd always give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek."
Annie further stated: "We need justice for Kamiaya so she can rest in peace, you know, because she's probably not going to rest in peace until justice is served."
She shared how her granddaughter was looking forward to learning to drive the following year and had grand plans for a family vacation to Mexico after her graduation. Tragically, those dreams perished with her.
Kamiaya, who had just wrapped up her freshman year at Aurora Central High School, was eagerly anticipating her 15th birthday at the end of July. Her mother shared with ABC 7 Denver how Kamiaya had longed for braces and couldn't wait to flaunt her dazzling smile.
"They were going to take [the braces] off early as her teeth were - they straightened," said Krystal Cleveland. "They moved a lot faster than they thought they would. [The braces] were on their way out."
Krystal fondly recalled Kamiaya's warmth and attentiveness, saying, the girl "took time and care with everybody that she knew" She continued, "Everybody that she encountered knew that she loved them because she made sure that they did," as she spoke to ABC 7 Denver, struggling to hold back tears.
"I know that there's a lot of people that loved her, too, so I would just like them to come forward and say something. That will be helpful." Kamiaya's aunt Kayla also paid tribute, describing her niece as the family's "peacemaker" and confessing, "I think I'll forever be empty."
Kamiaya's other aunt, Kandice, opened up to the media, conveying her pain. "Having to deal with [gun violence] firsthand because it became, you know, sort of having to be there for the community when things like that happen, to then asking for the community to be there for you - there's just a spot that won't be able to be filled by losing Kamiaya."
As for the mystery surrounding Kamiaya's tragic demise, much is still unclear. Police have yet to identify any suspects and no arrests have been made as of Monday, as per ABC 7 Denver.
Initial reports suggest a fight broke out at a park party leading to gunfire. "We just know that she was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and essentially, we have no details as to what happened," revealed Kamiaya's Aunt Kayla.
She and the rest of the family are desperately seeking answers and ask anyone who may have seen anything or who knows anything about the shooting on that fateful Saturday night to come forward. People with information can reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
The grieving mother paid tribute to her lost child in tearful words: "I know that she loved me, and I know that she knows that I love her. And that's the only piece of comfort that I have right now. That was my first baby, you know? She's the first person to call me mom. It's not fair that somebody could just take that from me without consequence. Whoever did that to my baby has to pay for it."
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