Balloon launch for two young sisters killed in July 4 shooting

FORT WORTH, Texas – Pink and white balloons decorated the sky in memory of the two young sisters killed in a shooting in Fort Worth on July 4.

Her mother, Sharde Mills, fought back tears as she described how devastated she was by the loss of her daughters Ivy and Wynter.

“They were sweet, just sweet. They were my noise. My house is so quiet now,” Sharde Mills said.

Their daughters did not survive gunfire during a fireworks display that turned violent. Police say suspect Kanard Trent Murphy shot five people, killing a 15-month-old girl, a 4-year-old girl and an adult man.

Murphy, 26, has been charged with felony assault on multiple people, police said. Murphy was also shot in the incident. Police say he is at a local hospital for evaluation.

Tree of Life Funeral Home owners Andrew Kirkland and Parish Lowery, who organized the balloon launch, explained why they decided to help the families for free.

“Not because I’m a pastor, not because I’m a funeral director. I was devastated because I’m a father of three girls,” Lowery said.

Family, friends and even strangers gathered at Village Creek Park on Friday for a balloon release to remember the victims.

“Ballooning is a way and a symbol of releasing the soul back into eternity,” Kirkland said.

Just hours before the two girls were killed, Fort Worth police said 200 to 300 people were gathered on Castleman Street to watch the fireworks when shots were fired. A bullet also fatally struck 39-year-old makeup artist and business owner Latasha Hymond as she was streaming live on Facebook.

After several years of similar fatal shootings, police are urging communities, neighborhoods and organizations to involve them in planning events that attract large crowds.

“We will help you plan your event so we can make it safe for everyone who wants to come and enjoy the holiday,” said Officer Tracy Carter

Like the police, community leaders hope that releasing the balloons will raise awareness of the gun violence that takes innocent lives.

“We need peace in our community,” said Rodney McIntosh, “because moments like this should not happen.”