Thomas MacMillan Photo
As she thanked cops for solving her son’s murder, a grief-stricken mom said, “There is never any real closure.”
Alicia Jackson (at center in photo, with sunglasses), the mom, offered that statement at a Friday afternoon press conference at police headquarters.
Her 20-year-old son, Devaante Jackson, was gunned down on Aug. 15 at the corner of Rosette and Hurlburt streets.
Police arrested the alleged gunman this week. As has become customary, police Chief Dean Esserman convened the Friday press conference to mark the homicide arrest along with the victim’s loved ones. The murder appears to have been gang-related.
“A child of this family is a child of New Haven,” said Esserman, standing by a dozen tearful family members. “We all grieve this loss.”
Assistant Chief Archie Generoso said police closed the case with the assistance of the community. He and other police supervisors singled out Detective Nicole Natale for her hard work on the case.
Alicia’s statement was read aloud by Charlene Neal-Palmer (pictured), Devaante’s aunt. “I will never be able to see my son go to his senior prom” or get married or have children, the statement read.
“The coward who took my son’s life, his family will still be able to hear his voice,” Neal-Palmer read. She asked for continued prayers for the family.
Two pastors spoke. Pastor Troy McNulty issued a challenge to “all the young men”: “Put the guns down and stop this foolishness.”
Pastor Todd Foster pleaded for an end to violence.
“Somebody keeps hitting the replay button,” Foster said. “We need to find the stop and rewind buttons.”
Det. Natale declined to discuss the specifics of the investigation.
Sgt. Tony Reyes said only that the arrest was the result of “a lot of good old-fashioned police work.” He said more arrests are expected in the investigation.
At first I was put off by the press conferences with the families of the deceased being "used" for the agenda of Chief Esserman. But on seeing the number of loved ones who come forward, and be part of these, it's possible that this may be just one of the ways to change the violence In New Haven.
If any of the young people who foolishly decide to be involved in street life, which is wrongly glorified, see and hear some of the loved ones of children who seem to forget that if something happens to them, they alone will not suffer the pain. Their lost life, or serious injury, brings unbearable pain to the people that love them and that they love. No one is an island.
I only hope more of these kids see these, and hope it starts to have some effect. Baby steps to safe streets Chief. Thank You.