JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coalition for Justice hosted a breakfast in Jacksonville Friday morning to honor and support thousands of victims of violent crime and their families.

News4JAX anchor Ashley Harding emceed the event called “Victory Over Violence” at the Jacksonville Firefighters Association union branch on Stockton Street in Jacksonville.

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Parents of crime victims were among the speakers, including the parents of Tristyn Bailey and Gabriel Devoe.

Gabriel Devoe was shot and killed in the parking lot of an Arlington apartment complex nearly two years ago.

Devoe was the cousin of News4JAX anchor and traffic anchor Amanda DeVoe.

“His infectious smile. His behavior. The light he brought to our family. He was full of humor, he was funny and he loved life. He loved his God. He loved football. I remember our family coming home from college. I’d run up the stairs and say he’s my new baby boy. He would say a mile. Hey pretty lady. I miss that moment. I would give anything to have that again,” said Rose Devoe, Gabriel’s mother.

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Gabriel was less than a month away from finishing college when he was killed.

No arrests were made in his case.

His mother, Rose, said there is a $25,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in his case.

“I will fight to the end for his justice,” Rose said.

Rose talked about the work the Coalition for Justice has done for her and her family since her son’s murder.

“They opened their arms and embraced me and led me. They told me the options that were available to me as a victim. They will be there when justice is served to attend court hearings and will accompany me through what I am sure will be one of the hardest and darkest times of our lives. I commend them for the work they do, for the little funding they have,” Rose said.

Coalition for Justice Executive Director Robert Bracewell said the organization provides resources to crime victims and their families.

“Being their voice through the court system, helping them with any type of need that they may have in terms of counseling, legal advice, referring them to other organizations and listening, their ear and their voice and allowing them to tell their story them,” Bracewell said.

According to the Coalition for Justice, one of the reasons for this fundraiser is for them to raise enough money to restart the monthly paper that they had to shut down in 2020.

The money raised at this event will be directed to help more victims and its goal is to restart the monthly victim support newspaper. It has been on hiatus since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of funding.

Then there was the case of a 13-year-old Tristyn Baileywho was stabbed by a schoolmate on Mother’s Day 2021 in St. Johns – a case that sparked national attention.

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Her killer was sentenced to life in prison, and he must serve at least 25 years.

Tristyn’s father, Forrest, was also one of the guests. He says their family has set up a foundation in her name.

Resources they offer include scholarships and self-defense classes for teens.

“My daughter fought for her life. She was stabbed 114 times, 49 of which were defensive. She was a fighter and this honors her,” Forrest said.

He said the Justice Coalition’s mission must continue.

“Victim advocacy, it takes what you do as a coalition for justice,” Forrest said.