Statement by Promise Marks, Mother of Curtis D. Smith
January 31, 2022

If you've never heard the sound of a 4- and 5-year-old crying from the grief of losing their father, it’s the most hurtful thing to ever hear. When they ask, “Is daddy coming back? “Why did someone hurt my daddy?” How do you explain that their father was brutally murdered and left dead in a park? How do you help them through this type of pain? How do you make sense out of something senseless? You can't. As a Mother losing my son in such a horrific and tragic manner was devastating. I cried every day from 5 a.m. till 10 a.m. for 3 months straight. The sleepless nights I've had from nightmares of his last moments is beyond words.

Curtis was 25 years old when his life was cut short. His family is left to try to somehow move forward. While we have stuck closely together to support one another as best we can, it’s a struggle. We need the public’s help to bring justice to all of these victims’ families. While it won't bring our loved ones back, it will bring a sense of closure for us all. Whoever is responsible needs to be held accountable for taking the lives of these seven victims. Please, we urge you if you know something we need you to say something. No family should have to endure such pain and not receive closure. We pray that justice be served for these crimes that have been committed against our loved ones.

Sincerely,
Promise Marks
Mother of Curtis Davon Smith
8-22-1995—2-25-2021

Statement by Michele Hannah, Mother of De’annzello McDonald
January 31, 2022

I would respectfully like to start this statement by saying my life has been completely turned upside down since June 11th, 2020. That was the day my son “Lil De” (De’annzello McDonald) was taken out of my life for something so senseless, by someone that had no regards and no care in the world. Not ever thinking about how this would affect his mother, sisters, brothers, and his children. This has been trauma in all our lives.

I sincerely beg anyone out there that knows anything about my son’s murder, please speak up! Forget about this so-called street code. Please say something if you have heard anything or seen anything. If you say you cared about my son at all, please say something. De’annzello (Lil De) has family and true friends that Love him and Miss him Beyond Measure. Again, I beg and plead with any and everyone, if you know something please say something. Thank You.

Sincerely,
Lil De’s Mother, Siblings & Children