JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The shooting deaths of an 11-month-old and two young women Sunday has been overwhelming for members of Aiden McClendon's family, who understand the pain of losing a young child to violence.
The 22-month-old Aiden was killed in a January drive-by shooting that was part of an ongoing gang rivalry in which the target was an older family member, according to police.
"Aiden was my nephew, my pride, my joy," said Valorie Wilson, his aunt.
Wilson told News4Jax Wednesday that she was sickened to learn another innocent child had been shot and killed.
"Instantly, because of the feelings, I cried. But my heart went out for the family," Wilson said.
Rhonda McDowell, Aiden's grandmother, had a similar reaction.
"When I heard the news about the baby being murdered, I mean, it was heartbreaking. I actually had to compose myself, as well as my daughter," McDowell said.
McDowell and her daughter, Aiden's mother, were with the child in a car parked in a front in front of a house on Spearing Street about 6 p.m. Jan. 29 when a white car came by and two gunmen inside sprayed bullets, leaving Aiden critically injured, police said. Aiden died at a hospital.
No one else in the car was hurt physically, but the emotionally, the killing has haunted the boy's family.
Family members said their only solace has come from the arrest of Henry Hayes IV, 17, who has been charged with murder in the drive-by shooting death.
Aiden's family now hopes someone who saw something in Sunday's shooting will have the courage to go to police.
"They can't just be everywhere at all times. The community has got to step up. When you see things, mysterious things going on, you've got to speak up," said Will Collins, one of Aiden's family members.
While they hope someone will do just just that, Aiden's family members said they are constantly thinking of the family whose grief they share.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said five people were shot Sunday night on Cleveland Road, and three died: 11-month-old Tadashii Williams, his mother, 22-year-old Kadejah Williams, and 18-year-old Xacia Burnem. Another woman and a man remain hospitalized at UF Health Jacksonville.
Aiden's family members said they plan to reach out to the victim's families.
"I just pour my heart out to them. I pray for them and if there's anything I can do to help them get over it, to try to make the transition a little easier, then I will," Wilson said.
In the meantime, Aiden's family members will wait until next July, when Hayes goes on trial. They said they believe justice will help them heal.