Two new names were added to the victims’ wall located at the Families of Slain Children, Inc. in Jacksonville. The names were posted during Victims’ Rights Week in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
David Galarriaga and Kahron Warnke were honored at the ceremony, which included family members of murder victims, police and individuals from the State Attorney’s Office.
Galarriaga, 2, was murdered in March 2011. His mother and brother are charged in his death. Detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit were on hand to honor David since no one could be there for him.
Warnke is the 33-year-old father who was shot and killed in a road rage incident right in front of his daughter. The shooting happened in March 2012. Alianah, 8, was sitting in the front seat with her dad when he died.
Alianah and her mom were at the ceremony to witness Warnke’s name placed on the victims’ wall. Alianah clung to a teddy bear while her dad was remembered. Shaniqua Brown, Alianah’s mom and Warnke’s fiancé, carried a picture of the man she called her soul mate.
Other victims’ families were at the ceremony, including the grandmother of Tiphne Hollis. Eloise Whitaker said she just wants closure. Her granddaughter’s name is already on the wall. Two years after Tiphne was shot and killed while riding in a car, there has been no arrest. Whitaker asked those who have information to come forward and do the right thing.
Once the ceremony was complete, balloons were released into the air in remembrance of those who have lost their lives.
Right now, there are 1,060 names on the victims’ wall at Families of Slain Children. Executive director Beverly McClain started the organization after her son was murdered in 2005. The group offers support to those who are victims of a tragedy.
McClain adds names to the wall every three months. She said that a family simply has to ask, and she will make sure their loved one’s name is placed in a special spot.
FOSCI and the victims’ wall are located on N. Myrtle Avenue.
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