Overtown residents show solidarity with gun violence victims

'Peace, Love and Respect Overtown' event aims to engage community

MIAMI – Officer Malcom Moyse is a Miami police officer. But to the Overtown Tornadoes track team, he is their coach and mentor. 

They lead the way at Williams Park for a special run they called "Peace, Love and Respect Overtown." It was an effort to show that they are against the gun violence plaguing Miami-Dade County. 

Tranell Harris knows the effects of gun violence well. She was still mourning the death of her son Richard Hallman. The 16-year-old Booker T. Washington Senior High School student was shot and killed last year. 

"Standing here today, speaking about my son, hurts me to my heart, but I have to stay strong for my other three kids," Harris said. 

Dorothy Ruffin understands Harris' pain. Her 10-year-old grandson Marlon Eason died while playing basketball in front of their Overtown home. 

"Marlon was very precious and it still hurt right now," Ruffin said. 

Moyse said he and the children he mentors were there in solidarity for the families of the boys who have died in Overtown shootings. 

"These two families motivated me to put together this program and we just felt we should have a peace run for them today," Moyse said. 

After the run-and-walk event, many signed a pledge board. They promised to report crimes and to uphold the law. Miami Police Chief Rodolfo "Rudy" Llanes jogged along with the Overtown families. He sat with the mothers on a stage at the park. 

"What we are trying to do is involve the community in different events with us, so all of us together can make a dent on this problem," Llanes said. 

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, who was also at the event, was hopeful. 

"I think this is going to start a trend and I want to do this in other parts of Miami as well," Regalado said. 

 

 


About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.