Brandon Hendricks Community Fun Day shines light on ending gun violence

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Residents from around the borough came together to enjoy Brandon Hendricks Community Fun Day to celebrate the life of Brandon "BDiddy" Hendricks in the Melrose section of the Bronx. Hendricks, a basketball player, was killed five years ago by a stray bullet. "Let today be a day you'll never ever forget,” said Eve Hendrix. "It’s my son Brandon "B -Diddy's" 22nd birthday – happy birthday son, I love you and I miss you." Eve Hendrix created the community fun day to bring awareness about gun violence and create a safe space for the youth. Organizations against gun violence like Guns Down, Life Up also participated in the event in hopes to provide support and guidance for families in need. "Intervention, prevention and community organization are the three components of our cure violence program," says June Balloon, a Guns Down Life Up community outreach worker. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Bronx County District Attorney Darcel Clark were also in attendance. Clark took time to speak with News 12, mentioning her efforts in getting Najhim Luke, the person who shot Hendricks, sentenced to 25-years to life for manslaughter just three months ago. "I stood by his family and told them that we would get justice for Brandon – and it took four years, but Najhim Luke was convicted this year and sentenced to the maximum sentence," said Clark. Eve Hendricks hopes that events like these will continue to shine a light on gun violence in the community and eventually put an end to it. "