Peace walk held for 13-yo fatally shot last week

By Amy Lu

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — A west Baltimore community converged Saturday night to honor and remember one of their own.

Baltimore police are still searching for the person who fatally shot Maliyah Turner, 13, last week. Her friends and family took part in a peace walk Saturday night to demand justice.

Maliyah’s family said she was motherly and that she loved taking care of her cousins and watching out for them.

She was also very involved in after-school activities, many taking place at the Lillian S. Jones Rec Center. It’s also where Maliyah was found Thursday. A tribute to her life still remains at the rec center.

“She played in the community every day. She came to this rec every single day, and, it’s just sad,” said Sade Cawthorn, a cousin. “Maliyah was a loving, loving, funny little girl. She get on everybody’s nerves. Not in a bad way, but a good way, and it’s really sad that this happened to her.”

Her family and friends walked and chanted on the same block to demand answers behind Maliyah’s death. They said they want people — especially youth — to know that solving problems does not require violence.

One family friend said Maliyah was at the wrong place at the wrong time as somebody turned the corner as she was playing and shot her.

Maliyah was also involved in Safe Streets and knew many of the people there. They hope the peace walk will encourage somebody to step forward with answers as Maliyah’s family continues to mourn and heal.

“We also make sure that we connect with the young people that’s in the family to keep them engaged and to help them heal. We created a garden and we’ll be putting a stepping stone in the garden for Maliyah with a personalized message from her family. It’s just unfortunate that a lot of young people are being murdered in our streets,” said Lisa Molock, director of Let’s Thrive Baltimore.

At last check, Baltimore police were offering a $13,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in Maliyah’s case.

A family friend said they have raised their own money to bury Maliyah and find counseling for her family.

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